MTFCA Forum

A local gentleman asked for guidance regarding a '27 Tudor that was owned by his recently-deceased father. His father hit a rut when parking the T and bent the drag link. I told him that it could be straightened. Then he sent this photo. I am questioning my advice. What do you all think? I saw older threads about straightening drag links but none were bent this bad. He is checking with another local T owner who might have a spare link that is correct for an improved car. But, I hate to see the bent part discarded if it can be repaired.

WOW. I dunno in all honesty but my gut tells me to "fuggedaboutit". There's gotta be a better one out there somewhere.

The decision would definitely hinge on how good the end sockets are.

I agree with you Adam, 100%. And I told him to check ends first since he has an Apco spring cap on one end. That suggests wear on the ball or cap or both.

Agree with Adam

End shows a well worn socket cupped edge, better to replace than repair

If you can find another that’s great but I wouldn’t throw that one away. It can be straightened. Straighten it cold mounted in a stable bench vise and take your time. No one is making them and that makes it worth saving.

I'd straighten it, cold as suggested, just to see if I could. You never know when the experience may come in handy. I doubt it would take much effort.

Allan from down under.

Allan wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:59 pm

I'd straighten it, cold as suggested, just to see if I could. You never know when the experience may come in handy. I doubt it would take much effort.

Allan from down under.

Good advice. If you do decide to give it a try, and if you decide to re-use it, be certain that it is "dead straight", not just "pretty straight".

That’s good advice. The old bent up parts, cracked blocks, transmission covers, manifolds old radiator tanks and outlets should be saved to practice repair jobs. That’s how you learn to do your own repairs. Painting and refinishing is the same way.

that would be a challenge.
i would hang that 1 up and put a good 1 on.Shouldn't be that hard to find 1 in better shape.
IF you do any bending,remember it bent cold,so straighten it cold.

A long gentle bend like that indicates that it was somewhat bent before the rut it hit.
Speedsters often need to have that drag link bent slightly to reach between the pitman arm and spindle connections. And they rarely get bent like that while being driven.

As Mack Cole says, "It bent cold, straighten it cold". Good advice. But let me add, having been bent, once straightened, the metal may have acquired a "set" in its molecular structure that can make it prone to bending under stress again. After straightening it cold, it might help to anneal the link in the areas that were bent. Doesn't need to reach red hot, just near red hot.

And that as said is IF the ends are good.

The drag link can be straightened. Never beat it or you could work harden the metal. First, I use my press to get it visually straight and then I use the bench mount press I made for the small bends.
I use a light spatter of quick dry paint and a long sanding block to indicate the bends. I move the small blocks narrow or wide to fit the sharpness of the bend.

For the ends, I mount it in the frame with one end fixed and the other threaded end for pulling the ends to parallel to each other. You can reverse mount it in the frame to correct the opposite end.
As the drag link ends are 45 degrees to each other, to correct the twist, mount both ends solid in the frame and leave the working threads loose on adjustment end so you can twist the frame until it sits flat on the work bench.

If I may add, I can straighten yours for you. You can contact me by email and I will reply.
Ken

Nice jig there, Ken !