New drag links, alignment still off

[PTmowerMech]

Craftsman 917.289341

Alignment was bad to start with. Why I didn't think of it first, I have no excuse. The drag link on the left was bent. What I didn't think about was that makes the distance shorter. So the tires should've been pointed inward.

Anywho, the ball joints were about to break out of their slots, so I ordered a new set. Get them installed and the tires are still pointing outward. The last time I had to do this, was on a Husqvarna. There was enough room in front of the original hole, to drill another. Which fixed the problem. I'm not sure if there's enough room on this craftsman to do this, without weakening it too much.

I've seen one repair video where the guy cuts the drag link, in a straight spot, shortens it, tacks it back then welds angle iron to it to secure it. But dang it, these are brand new. Hate to go cutting and welding a new drag link.

Parts number on the drag links I bought:
194740 or 245-301
194741 or 245-303

Is there something else out of whack or are these the wrong drag links?

 

[Hammermechanicman]

I fix those all the time. Remove the spindles and clamp them on a good vise and use a piece of pipe to bend the drag link tabs enough to make the wheels straight when reinstalled. Crap design.

 

[ILENGINE]

I have always said the getting rid of the tie rod between the wheels, and then going to the two drag link setup was the worst mistake ever. Just so they could design them for a shorter turning radius.

 

[StarTech]

Both those non-adjustable draglink can be with the adjustable versions but they are twice the money.

Now with new it is a good chance the spindles are twisted out of alignment.

Three options

1. Check and replace the twisted spindle(s)
2. Bend the new draglinks using a hydraulic press
3. or replace draglinks with the adjustable ones.

532409599 LH adjustable draglink
532409600 RH adjustable draglink

These are direct replacements for the non adjustable 532194740 and 532194741

 

[StarTech]

IL, I think the new four draglink system is even worst.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

Best i can tell the tabs on the spindles are too flimsey. I had one the cust wanted all the parts changed with OEM parts. I compared old parts to new. Only thing i saw wrong was the steering tabs on both spindles were bent slightly. Ever since that one i just bend the tabs now.

 

[PTmowerMech]

I'd like to see a video or a few pics that show how your bending these tabs. I had it one in a big vise but couldn't bend the tab at all. I ended up cutting a slit in one, almostall the way across, widened the gap with a pry bar, and welded it back.
Sanded it down flat and put some black engine paint on it. That was about as easy and drilling new holes.

I can see how these tabs could bend up or down over time. But not back & forth.

Btw, thanks for ALL the info on this. Especially the part numbers for the adjustable ones.

You pro's make me look like I know what I'm doing.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

I clamp the wheel axle of the spindle in the vise and use a 2 ft piece of pipe to bend the tab. A little goes a long way.. the tabs bend pretty easy.

 

[levlarry]

Both those non-adjustable draglink can be with the adjustable versions but they are twice the money.

Now with new it is a good chance the spindles are twisted out of alignment.

Three options

1. Check and replace the twisted spindle(s)
2. Bend the new draglinks using a hydraulic press
3. or replace draglinks with the adjustable ones.

532409599 LH adjustable draglink
532409600 RH adjustable draglink

These are direct replacements for the non adjustable 532194740 and 532194741

+I need the adjustable links but the price for the adjustable 532409599 And 532409600 are $30 less than the adjustable 532194740 and 532194741. Are you sure that the 740 and 741 is the same as the 599 and 600? Just want to be sure before I purchase them. I can't find any cross reference that shows they are interchangeable. Thanks.

 

[StarTech]

+I need the adjustable links but the price for the adjustable 532409599 And 532409600 are $30 less than the adjustable 532194740 and 532194741. Are you sure that the 740 and 741 is the same as the 599 and 600? Just want to be sure before I purchase them. I can't find any cross reference that shows they are interchangeable. Thanks.

You got things backwards as the 532194740 and 741 are the non adjustable versions. It is the 532409599 and 600 that are adjustable.

You not going to find any cross reference as this is inside dealer info that I had access to several years ago. They were released to have solve the misalignment problems that the non adjustable couldn't resolve.