I just installed a cross steer/vega setup from speedway motors on my 35 ford. They sent me drag links with LH and RH threads to make adjustments easy, however now that i am ready to snug everything down. the drag link itself is powder coated and has no flats on it for a hold back, however the jam nuts on either end tighten in the same direction if you try to use them against each other. I'm not using a pipe wrench!! what am I missing here???????
Does it not have a slit cut lengthwise in it? They used to have a special tool that turned it by going into that slit.
Snug one side, then the other. You can let the rod ends or tie rod ends to "bind" and hold the drag link to allow you to tighten the jam nuts. Might take a bit of tinkering to get the ends to line up properly so they can still give their full range of motion. I'd also think a well-padded channel lock could help you hold the drag link without ripping up the powder coating. Lynn
Had to do the one on the roadster with a small strap wrench from home depot. It worked ok, but that being said, I wont use that type of tie rod and drag link again. Just put new tie rod ends in the stock tie rod and a new factory type drag link with the adjuster on the p*** side on my 39, same as your 35, and it was about 50 bucks more than the speedway stuff. Sure makes it easy to adjust
I helped my buddy do one of these not long ago. I drilled a 1/4" hole through the rod near one end and used a Phillips screw driver to hold it while tightening the nuts. I used blue loc***e on the tie rod ends also. When it was done, I cut a piece of all thread the proper length and screwed a couple stainless acorn nuts up against the drag link to cover the holes. Worked good and is ready for the next time it needs to be messed with.
awe..too bad, Why on earth would they make it with no way to react off itself to tighten?? frustrating!!
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