What a perplexing issue. How certain are you that you have the correct pitman arm? Wheel hubs? There aren’t many variables left. Good luck and keep punching!
Thank you so much for weighing in. Without actually confirming the part number, the pitman arm looks quite correct (compared to all the online research I have done) and also looks like it has never been removed from the (confirmed) original steering box. When the pitman arm is disengaged from the linkage, it has a full 4 turns lock-to-lock with no clearance issues at all. I am not educated or experienced enough to understand how the wheel hubs would factor in to this equation. Anyway you could help would be very much appreciated.
I think he is talking about the spindles, but I have come to the conclusion that you do have the wrong drag link.
I thought about the spindles too. I have inspected and measured them, for what that’s worth, and have no reason to believe that the spindles have been replaced or altered. Also bear in mind that with the wheels straight, both tie rod assemblies are at about 15.5" with even gaps and plenty of adjustment thread left either way. A fair submission, but I believe the spindles are correct. I am with you and wish, catlover…I am going to order the used drag link from Don and just hope the struggle ends there…
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I have no reason to believe that the spindles have been replaced or altered. but I believe the spindles are correct. I am going to order the used drag link from Don and just hope the struggle ends there…
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The spindles will have a part number cast into them. 67 spindles are different from 68 and up ones so the part number must be at the latest a C7… number. If they have a C8, C9, D0 number they are wrong. You can also take a look at your brake calipers. If you have a true 67 GT it should have disc brakes and the 67 disc brakes use the dual piston calipers. 68 and up calipers are single piston. If you want to save some on the shipping you could check with Scott Ferguson, fordnutz, on here. He is in Canada and may be able to get you one within Canada to save the importing.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
I have no reason to believe that the spindles have been replaced or altered. but I believe the spindles are correct. I am going to order the used drag link from Don and just hope the struggle ends there…
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The spindles will have a part number cast into them. 67 spindles are different from 68 and up ones so the part number must be at the latest a C7… number. If they have a C8, C9, D0 number they are wrong. You can also take a look at your brake calipers. If you have a true 67 GT it should have disc brakes and the 67 disc brakes use the dual piston calipers. 68 and up calipers are single piston. If you want to save some on the shipping you could check with Scott Ferguson, fordnutz, on here. He is in Canada and may be able to get you one within Canada to save the importing.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
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Thank you very much for this good information Randy. I will definitely follow up on the spindles. I do know at present that my disc brakes are indeed the dual piston models. I will also reach out to Scott. Thanks again.
I took some measurements of original power steering drag links and found that the overall dimensions are the same 1967-1970. However, the RH end that goes up into the idler arm has a bend on 69-70, and 1970 is thicker with larger holes.
Hope that helps!
So I have made additional measurements on my current linkage system, and compared them to the fantastic and elusive information provided to me by Blitz…Immediately below is courtesy of Member Blitz:
Note the measurement of 3" from the driver side inner tie rod mount on the centre link, to the end of the threaded shaft.
Below are two pictures of my current set-up…
The photo above shows a full 2" space between the inner tie rod mount and the very start of the centre link threads.
The photo below shows the full length of 5.5" between the ball stud on the control valve and the inner tie rod mount on the centre link…
I would submit for the members approval, that my 2" gap between the inner tie rod mount, and the initial threads of the centre link, DO NOT match with the dimensions that Blitz submitted above (please see 1st photo).
Opinions, please…
The length there looks ok. In your 2nd picture, I think the threaded section of the drag link probably starts around 2.5 in. and then the hole is at 5.5, so that’s consistent with 3".
Why are there so many washers on the back side of the tie rod?
If you verify that you have the proper drag link, it’s time to look at other components. Sounds like you have the wrong idler arm from looking at earlier posts in this thread.
Thank you for the response. I know that the steering box is original, by the factory original tag. The pitman arm casting number is illegible (other than the “C7…”) at the start. I have confirmed that the steering control valve is correct. The tie rod assemblies are equal in length and adjustment gap with both wheels straight ahead. Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t understand how the two washers on the back of the inner tie rod, or an incorrect idler arm would result in having to shift the entire steering linkage over to the passenger side by at least 1" in order to line up with the pitman arm and ultimately result in the loss of 1/2 turn in the wheel. I don’t mean to be an ass…I am just profoundly frustrated and only a moment away at any given time from completely abandoning this repair.
Don’t despair! Time for a beer, good nights sleep and at least 48 hours without looking at the car. I suspect Andrew was wondering if the washers to hold the tie rod end on were indicative of bigger hole in the drag link, or mismatched components.
I concur here. Those washers should not be there. The fact that they are may very well be a clue as to your problem. It could be an incorrect tie rod or an incorrect drag link. Either way it is a clue. Now we just need to be smart enough to figure it out.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
This is what I have been saying all the while, the drag link is for a larger car line and probable the hole for the inner tie rod takes the larger 70 up size.
I have a drag link laying here in my garage for a 70 Torino with the same measurement as the above.
I am actively hunting for a correct drag link as I type this now…I will keep all informed. I’m also going to stay out of the garage for a couple days, as has been so wisely advised. I should know better by now…(damn it).
Finding a correct drag link should not be hard at all. As you already know WCCC has them, I have several here as well. Although I would still suggest contacting Scott Ferguson to see if he knows of one in Canada to save you on the shipping. You could also post a wanted listing here on this forum and add that you are looking for one in Canada.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
Alright…I have a correct 67-68 drag link on the way now, courtesy of my fellow Canuck Scott Ferguson of the Fordnutz Cougar Club out on the west coast here in Canada. Scott has truly come through for me, and is delivering exactly what I need on a tight budget. I am indebted to him…
Special thanks also to “wish” and “catlover” who really stuck this one out with me. Warm thanks to everyone else who contributed valuable information and advice. Also, a public apology to “Blitz” for my caustic response to his last post here. My level of frustration at the time does not excuse my behaviour, and for that I apologize.
Joining this community has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. The members here have never let me down. Thank you everyone. The steering issues haven’t been fixed as of this writing, but I am confident now that the cause has been positively identified and that all will be well again very soon. I’ve learned so much more than I thought I would have, and the only thing left to top that would be to pass the knowledge on to someone else.
Thanks again, my friends…
And that is exactly why the forum is here. All of are smarter than any of us.
No problem, and I didn’t take your reply as being harsh at all. I know all too well how frustrating things can get.
I’m glad there are other, smarter members here, and I’ll be curious to see if you do in fact have the wrong drag link in there. That would explain it!
Thank you sir. The drag link is on the way, but it may be a couple weeks before I can install it. I will indeed update this thread as the situation develops.
Thanks again…