2 questions...steering and brake related

Good morning guys. Yesterday I bought a drag link rebuild kit to fix some of the slop in my steering. Most of it was coming from both ends of this piece. Anyways, after much PB blaster and a little cursing, I was able to get the thing off. Of course, all the old springs and seats fell out all over the place. So when I went to put it back together it took a few tries before I got it right (I think). My question is, is there any special tool I can use to get the end cap on all the way at the axle end? I was able to get the cap and cotter pin on at the steering box, but I can't muscle the other one far enough on there to get the cotter pin back in. Is there like a huge screwdriver bit I can get for a ratchet or something? Also, could someone please describe how the springs go back in there, so I know I have it right. I think I have it back together right, as it seems there is only one way it will go and still get the end caps on. I have a FSM but it is a little vague about where the springs and spacers go in relation to the ball joints. Anyways, from what I can tell so far, this has cured alot of my slop. I had about 4 inches before and now only have about an inch. So I'm happy with that, but I need to get that cotter pin back in the front so I can drive it.

My other question regarding brakes is this. When adjusting the drag on the shoes, is there supposed to be any drag at all, or a slight drag? I have a slight drag at all four wheels and want to know if this is normal, or is it still too tight? I can't get it any better with the adjustment screws on the backing plates. It does stop really good, but when you spin the wheel you can hear a slight drag and when it gets close to stopping, it grabs and stops. I want to make sure this is right, so when I put my new MC on this weekend, I will be done with the brakes for awhile, hopefully!

Sorry so long, but I would appreciate any responses you might have and if you could share some knowledge with me, that would be great.
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Edit...Well I just figured out by reading an older post that there is a special socket just for draglinks. I wish I would've had one of those last night when I was trying to break that sucker free! I will go pick one up at lunchtime today. But I am wondering if I have the axle side assembled correctly, because it is so tight putting that cap on. I didn't have much trouble at all with the gearbox side. Do I just need to crank it down some more, or do you think I have the springs installed wrong?

 

From the CJ3B page:http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3b/Photos/Tech/Steering/SteeringConnectingRod.JPG

 

Attached is a page from the mil manual with exploded view. I just have to guess something's in wrong ... can't figure why it won't screw in all the way.

I like my brakes to just lightly drag, but drag most of the way aroung a full rotation. ... they're dragging too much if they get hot on a test drive.

 

You need a drag link socket, you can get on at your local auto parts store. 3/4 worked good for me.

My drag link was not symmetrical, make sure you don't have the rod reversed.

 

I got it back together last night. I had the parts in there wrong. Steering is pretty tight now.