Drag Link

Drag Link – Alternative Steering

Not many people really stop and think about how it is that the steering wheel mechanism really controls the car. We count on the steering system in our vehicles to control the car and direct it where we want to go, but have you ever given a moment of thought to how the rotation of the steering wheel really makes the axle and the wheels point in the direction that you want it to? If you are interested in restoring or repairing the various systems on your car, you’ll have to become familiar with the drag link steering style and how it is different from others that you may encounter.

First of all, you should know that drag link is not currently the most popular form of steering a vehicle. If you are employed as a mechanic for modern cars, you have probably only encountered rack and pinion steering, which relies on a pinion gear, rack and tire rod to transfer the rotational motion of the steering wheel to the axle of the car and thereby the tires. In a rack and pinion system, the rotation of the steering wheel puts the pinion in motion, which expands or retracts the rack, which moves the tires.

When you are talking about the drag link system, you will have to envision a slightly more complicated system of steering. This system is typically used to convert the rotational motion of one crank or pair of cranks to a crank on another plane or rotational axis. This system places a connecting bar on the two original steering cranks and links it to the cranks that operate on the level of the axle or wheels. In this way the motion is transferred and the command to turn is provided to the wheels.

The drag link method of steering involved a more complicated transfer of motion than the rack and pinion system, and generally involved more moving parts. This inclusion of more moving shafts and levers was generally looked on as an invitation for more repairs, so the rack and pinion system has largely replaced this one because it is easier to install and repair. If your car uses the link system of creating the steering function, you might want to consult with repair manuals or a trained mechanic the first time that you try to repair it. However, watching the link system in motion is a unique experience.