Drag link replacement

Musicmaker · Jul 16, 2015

Hi all
I will be fitting a new drag link later to my P38. The way I think it should be done is;
Centre steering
Remove old drag link
Measure / adjust drag link to 1170mm before fitting
Double check that the steering wheel & marks line up on the steering box
Fit the drag link, perhaps have to adjust to fit.
Am I missing anything?
Cheers
Billy

Saint.V8 · Jul 16, 2015

Take old off....offer up the new to the old one and adjust to match...fit, and finally get an alighnment check done at a reputable place....

1170 is only a starting point....if you match the old one you will be within a gnats cock of the correct length.

Datatek · Jul 16, 2015

Saint.V8 said:
Take old off....offer up the new to the old one and adjust to match...fit, and finally get an alighnment check done at a reputable place....

1170 is only a starting point....if you match the old one you will be within a gnats cock of the correct length.

Changing the drag link does not affect alignment/tracking.

Saint.V8 · Jul 16, 2015

Oops....

I'm thinking Track Rod

Musicmaker · Jul 16, 2015

Well, that was a nice simple job, as was fitting the rear air suspension bags. Just got the thermostat to do.

Grrrrrr · Jul 16, 2015

Musicmaker said:
Well, that was a nice simple job, as was fitting the rear air suspension bags. Just got the thermostat to do.

Is it an oil burner? That's easy too ... once the viscous is off! Careful with the block. That ally is soft as cheese.

Musicmaker · Jul 16, 2015

Yeah, it's a diesel. I had to buy a 32mm spanner to do the job, lets hope the viscous fan comes off easily. I've heard some story's about turning the nut the wrong way

It come off in the same direction the fan turns (clockwise) right.

AP90 · Jul 17, 2015

Yes it turns clock wise for removal, position the spanner on the nut and give it a sharp tap

I would just pop a bit of card board on the face of the rad when you remove the fan, just stops the VC unit biting the Rad surface, once you loosen the fan, from memory I think you pop the top clips from the plastic cowling finish unscrewing the fan and gently pull the whole lot out together.

Again from memory a huge amount of coolant will come from the block when you remove the stat housing, unless you've already drained it. also use a good quality stat and I think it has to be fitted a certain way re the vent hole, more experienced than I will advise if you're not sure.

I would be tempted to replace the water pump and all the O rings, again a good quality pump with a metal impeller whilst you're in there

Good luck hope it goes well

Datatek · Jul 17, 2015

AP90 said:
Yes it turns clock wise for removal, position the spanner on the nut and give it a sharp tap

I would just pop a bit of card board on the face of the rad when you remove the fan, just stops the VC unit biting the Rad surface, once you loosen the fan, from memory I think you pop the top clips from the plastic cowling finish unscrewing the fan and gently pull the whole lot out together.

Again from memory a huge amount of coolant will come from the block when you remove the stat housing, unless you've already drained it. also use a good quality stat and I think it has to be fitted a certain way re the vent whole, more experienced than I will advise if you're not sure.

I would be tempted to replace the water pump and all the O rings, again a good quality pump with a metal impeller whilst you're in there

Good luck hope it goes well

The cowl on later cars is not split and the whole bl@@dy thing has to be removed with the viscous, a real PITA. Drain coolant and remove hoses from the RAD.

AP90 · Jul 17, 2015

Datatek said:
The cowl on later cars is not split and the whole bl@@dy thing has to be removed with the viscous, a real PITA. Drain coolant and remove hoses from the RAD.

Ah yes you're right Keith, now I remember the hoses were already off my car at the time, brings back some bad memories

Grrrrrr · Jul 17, 2015

Datatek said:
The cowl on later cars is not split and the whole bl@@dy thing has to be removed with the viscous, a real PITA. Drain coolant and remove hoses from the RAD.

Same on the early ones. The petrol split in half nicely. I did think of doing the same to my diesel one as it is (as you say) a real PITA.

Datatek · Jul 18, 2015

Grrrrrr said:
Same on the early ones. The petrol split in half nicely. I did think of doing the same to my diesel one as it is (as you say) a real PITA.

No longer fitted on mine, nor is the viscous, lots of space down there to change belts, pulleys, pumps or stats now

brianp38dse · Jul 18, 2015

Last time I changed my thermostat I did it with out taking fan or cowl off, it was a bit of a fiddle mind you.

Moonfire · Jul 18, 2015

Datatek said:
No longer fitted on mine, nor is the viscous, lots of space down there to change belts, pulleys, pumps or stats now

+1 well worth doing

Drag link replacement

Musicmaker

Active Member

Saint.V8

Dyed-in-the-wool 100% RR Junkie

Datatek

Well-Known Member

Saint.V8

Dyed-in-the-wool 100% RR Junkie

Musicmaker

Active Member

Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

Musicmaker

Active Member

AP90

Active Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

AP90

Active Member

Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

Datatek

Well-Known Member

brianp38dse

Well-Known Member

Moonfire

Member

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