54 Corvette Drag Link Question

[Steve G.]

I'm restoring my '54. Yesterday I was trying to remove the drag link from the pitman arm. I removed the outer plug and expected to see a spring. There was no spring. Instead there appears to be another plug. Very strange as it doesn't seem to match any of the exploded parts diagrams I've seen and I have no idea how to get this plug out. Anyone have any ideas? I can post a pic of it if it will help.

[Jim L.]

Re: 54 Corvette Drag Link Question

Try a practical approach: With the front wheels on the ground, rock the steering wheel back and forth. That might pop the plug loose.

[Steve G.]

Re: 54 Corvette Drag Link Question

Thanks Jim. Unfortunately the car is up on blocks at the moment and I don't plan on putting the wheels back on her until all the undercarriage work is done.

[Tim E.]

Re: 54 Corvette Drag Link Question

Steve - Mine has the spring you're referencing. If you would like a scan of my page of notes from when I took mine apart: tim.ehlers@att.net.

From the Pitman Arm end, the parts (in order) that I removed were: cotter pin, threaded cap, spring, piston, and then the two bearing caps. All these parts slid out the bore once I removed the threaded cap.

Does this other plug that you see have a slot and threads as well? Perhaps someone put a solid plug in there instead of the spring thinking it would eliminate some slop in the steering.

Tim

[Tim E.]

Re: 54 Corvette Drag Link Question

Here's the document I was trying to upload earlier. The Help Desk got me fixed up....

54CorvetteDragLinkAssembly.pdf