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if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...
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Posted 4/15/2014 3:22 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
Posts: 59
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if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

Ok, so my first true WTF moment with this 2002 G500.

I ordered:
Tie Rod: 463-330-04-03
Drag Link: 463-463-11-15

from Mercedes of Monterey in Monterey, CA ... they beat my dealers price by over $100 shipped and the guy was really nice so why not. I figured, they checked my VIN, it's even on the order form so... you catch my drift.

Got the parts in the other day and just crawled under the G500 to take a look-see and the tie rod is dead on, picture perfect, great quality, and I then went towards the drag link in the front of the vehicle and the ends look the same and the bar is the same length (didn't measure just looks the same) but on my G500 there is a rectangular shaped welded piece towards the center of the bar itself that hooks up to this smaller shock (much smaller than the steering damper on the tie rod).

Now, either I'm in the wrong place or is my system different? Sorry for the not so great pics but I don't have it up on a lift... Both bars have ball joints on them and appear the same size but the new one does not have the welded tab. I was thinking I could just pull the ball joints off of the new one and put them on the old one, the truck is mint and don't think it was ever wheeled or abused.


Help if you can. Thanks!





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#221363
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Posted 4/15/2014 3:35 PM
AlanMcR
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
2000
RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

Looks like that might be someone's add-on steering shock. 
#221364 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/15/2014 3:48 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
5000
RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

The tie rod is the only one with the welded tab to attach the steering dampner. The drag link does not have a tab. Somebody fornicated with your G, if there's a tab and a small shock hooked to the drag link. They might have been trying to eliminate a steering shimmy.

Fwiw, I don't know what you paid the guy in California, but parts prices from the dealer in Atlanta would have been $252.74 for the tie rod and $215.39 for the drag link.
#221365 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/15/2014 4:20 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
Posts: 59
50
RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

No kidding! That's nuts. They did a good job on the weld, I can say that much. I wonder if I should keep it. There's no steering vibration now, it's just that the ball joints were jam packed full of Lucas grease (the previous owner was a Lucas freak) and he also tried to glue the boot together and all 4 are just a mess. The front shock and the drag link with the weld on it are in great shape. Suggestions here.


Ok, so I just got the tie rod bolts off and tried to use the puller I got at SamsTagSales, while putting it part number: 601 589 04 33 00


basically this:
BMW3029
601 589 04 33 00
Sir Tools Heavy Duty Separator is needed for the proper disassembly of ball joints of drag links and tie rods. 107, 123, 126. $98.95


Unless I'm using it wrong, it doesn't fit around the pitman arm or whatever it's called that holds the tie rod in place. Doesn't fit around it.

I figured since they put that part number next to the BMW3029 number it was universal. Screw up on my part I guess. Attached a pic.
and it's here as well: http://www.samstagsales.com/SirTool/stbmw_3029.jpg




(stbmw_3029.jpg)



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Attachments stbmw_3029.jpg (13KB - 0 downloads)
#221366 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/15/2014 4:30 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
Posts: 59
50
Re: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

Sorry DUTCH... I paid about $15 more plus $50 shipping. My MB Dealer here wanted almost $650 plus tax, yikes. Will check Hotlanta next go around.
#221367 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/15/2014 6:22 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
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RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

I have the MB tool # 601.589.04.33.00; and it works perfectly on the G. Unfortunately, it's pricey as the devil!
#221371 - in reply to #221366
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Posted 4/15/2014 7:49 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
Posts: 59
50
Re: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

Thanks DUTCH! and nobody has a picture of it online!
I'm just going to get an extended ball joint puller/wedge fork and get them out. I'm replacing everything.

And on the drag link welded tab/additional smaller steering shock question? What would you do? I mean, the welds are huge, could have taken it for stock or bettah... The shock is smaller but the mount is precise and my steering is decent, even with the Lucas/glue riddled ball joints. No biggie, just askin'... Thank you regardless.
#221376 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/15/2014 7:53 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
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Re: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

geewag - 4/15/2014 7:49 PM

And on the drag link welded tab/additional smaller steering shock question? What would you do? I mean, the welds are huge, could have taken it for stock or bettah... The shock is smaller but the mount is precise and my steering is decent, even with the Lucas/glue riddled ball joints. No biggie, just askin'... Thank you regardless.


If it ain't broke, . . . . . . . . .
#221377 - in reply to #221376
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Posted 4/15/2014 8:38 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
Posts: 59
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Re: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

True... As long as I can get the old ball joints out I'll be in good shape. Until tomorrow. Thanks again.
#221378 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/15/2014 10:24 PM
KJ6IRM
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Date registered: Oct 2012
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Vehicle(s): 2011 G550, 1989 E30 M3
Posts: 8

RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

Yeah, that looks like an aftermarket steering damper. Your new drag link looks like the link off my truck.





(DragLink1.jpg)



(DragLink2.jpg)



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Attachments DragLink1.jpg (474KB - 0 downloads)
Attachments DragLink2.jpg (372KB - 0 downloads)
#221380 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/16/2014 6:23 AM
DUTCH
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Date registered: Apr 2006
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RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

KJ6IRM - 4/15/2014 10:24 PM

Yeah, that looks like an aftermarket steering damper. Your new drag link looks like the link off my truck.



Your pics sure look like a tie rod to me.
#221385 - in reply to #221380
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Posted 4/16/2014 8:01 AM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
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Re: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

Yep.
#221386 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/16/2014 10:18 AM
djdinaz
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Arizona
Vehicle(s): 03 G55
Posts: 439
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Re: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

Might want to keep it around if you start getting the steering shimmy @ 50 when (if) you swap the link.

My guess is that your truck had a prior owner REALLY fed up with the shimmy (or tired of dropping 200+ a pop on the factory steering shock every time it went bad) and had it professionally corrected.
#221390 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/16/2014 12:33 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
Posts: 59
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Re: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

Well put djdinaz... it about sums up everything I've read. I think it was the drug dealer from L.A. who had the truck before the guy I bought it from (and had 24's on it or some non-sense)... the previous owner from real was a real cheap sob who used Lucas grease to cure everything, I bet it's in the gas tank. haha. But they didn't drive it much so it's in incredible shape.

---> Thanks for the input seriously. I just did the tie rod end 5 minutes ago, now onto the drag link, so we'll see how it pans out. Peace.

#221391 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/16/2014 12:59 PM
KJ6IRM
Member


Date registered: Oct 2012
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Vehicle(s): 2011 G550, 1989 E30 M3
Posts: 8

RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

DUTCH - 4/16/2014 3:23 AM

KJ6IRM - 4/15/2014 10:24 PM

Yeah, that looks like an aftermarket steering damper. Your new drag link looks like the link off my truck.



Your pics sure look like a tie rod to me.


crap, you're right.. I'm getting used to all the terminology of a solid front axle.. I'm used to all the components of IFS.
#221393 - in reply to #221385
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Posted 4/16/2014 5:13 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
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RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

... I could have been the star of the ball. They would have all known my name. ... I was a fool to dream



Wouldn't you know it, the fabricated drag link was bent so I had to dismantle the additional drag link shock so now I'm just plain jane like everyone else. No name in lights this time. BUT, I feel fantastic having done the job myself and I took my time and made sure the lengths matched up and no alignment needed. The dealer or whatever shop does it bangs you for no reason... a whole other story.

I put in some pics so y'all can see the old drag link with the weld against the new one.






(IMG_0798.JPG)



(IMG_0799.JPG)



(IMG_0800.JPG)



(IMG_0801.JPG)



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Attachments IMG_0798.JPG (156KB - 0 downloads)
Attachments IMG_0799.JPG (175KB - 0 downloads)
Attachments IMG_0800.JPG (152KB - 0 downloads)
Attachments IMG_0801.JPG (150KB - 0 downloads)
#221399 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/16/2014 6:29 PM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
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RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

geewag - 4/16/2014 5:13 PM


Wouldn't you know it, the fabricated drag link was bent so I had to dismantle the additional drag link shock so now I'm just plain jane like everyone else.





A bent drag link is not going to hurt you a bit unless it hits on something.
#221400 - in reply to #221399
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Posted 4/16/2014 7:17 PM
djdinaz
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Arizona
Vehicle(s): 03 G55
Posts: 439
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RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

..no alignment needed.


I did Alan's string alignment (see the DIY: http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=17043) after I swapped drag link joints and replaced the tie rod on my truck. Took it to an alignment shop when all was said and done and it was within factory spec.

I didn't have any legos handy, but some lengths of 3/4" PVC I had laying around sufficed. Works like a charm.
#221401 - in reply to #221399
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Posted 4/16/2014 8:25 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
Posts: 59
50
Re: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...

On top of the bent pipe, I wasn't having much luck with the removal of the old ball joints on the fabricated link. So much so that I bent the tightened on my fairly cheap vice. Steers easier now, no vibration. All good.
#221402 - in reply to #221363
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Posted 4/16/2014 9:16 PM
geewag
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Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Tallahassee, FL. - USA
Vehicle(s): --2002 G500 / 2014 MDX / 2004 V70 2.5T Wagon...
Posts: 59
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RE: if it looks like a drag link and smells like a drag link...




A bent drag link is not going to hurt you a bit unless it hits on something.. ....posted by DUTCH


"...the bow will hold Captain, unless we hit an iceberg." -- 1st shipmate on the Titanic.





Good luck & goodnight.

Edited by geewag 4/16/2014 9:17 PM
#221405 - in reply to #221400
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