Drag Link where to buy or alternative

19 replies [Last post]
1975mark
1975mark's picture
Offline
Joined: 22.12.2011
Location: Huddersfield

Hi unfortunately one of the ends of my drag link is worn and has failed MOT, it's the side that is fixed so it looks like i've got to replace the whole arm. I was wondering where is the best (cheapest) place to purchase one from or is there an alternative from another vehicle I can use.

Thanks as ever for all your help

Login or register to view attached files
gav.helme
gav.helme's picture
Offline
Joined: 29.04.2011
Location: North Lincolnshire
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

PM me your chassis number and i will work it out and see if i can find a cheaper one in the network.

I think they are dealer only part and nothing else will fit

Gav

bigblock
bigblock's picture
Offline
Joined: 27.05.2009
Location: HIGHLANDS
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

 Hi Gav, you are correct dealer part only.

It is probably worth pointing out that it is a good idea to buy the draglink complete with both trackrod ends because the replaceable TRE comes in three different sizes with two types of thread. MB dealers are notorious for cocking this up due to an error in the EPC should you try and buy one later.
 

Pistonhead
Pistonhead's picture
Offline
Joined: 16.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Hello Forum,

Just wanted to poke my 'beak' into your topic, firstly, 1975mark's illustration of the drag link is, I am sure is for a LHD and not for the RHD.

To clear a point, the drag link is the bar, that sits in front of the front axle and connects the steering box's drop arm to the the stub of the opposing wheel.  This bar has a crimped track rod at the end fitted, to the drop arm.  It's other end has a removeable track rod end.

Now to clear Bigblock's confusion.  The tie rod is the bar that sits behind the front axle, this is the bar that has removeable track rods ends at both ends for which the threads and track rods are of different sizes; the threads can be either left handed or right handed depending which end is talked about.  It is here where a lot of confusion that occurs in sizing.

Beak out,

phileas
phileas's picture
Offline
Joined: 06.11.2008
Location: Cambs
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

hi mark

I know we're talking about a different vehicle, but it sounds as if the problem is the same one. On my 463 there is the same issue with the drag link being separated into a 'short' and 'long' end. When I replaced mine earlier this year, I was shocked by how much more expensive the 'long' end was. Instead of buying into the same problem, I had the right hand drag link modified (my g is lhd) so that I could screw a 'short' end on to it and thereby save cash/time this and the next time I need to replace it. You might be able to do the same with the 460.

Hope that helps

Ph

Pistonhead
Pistonhead's picture
Offline
Joined: 16.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Hello phileas,

Modifications such as you have described can be feesable but my concern is, you have a duty to Insurance companies to inform and declare any modifications done to the vehicle.  This stirs the hornets nest and may affect any claim made if they find out of modification more so on the steering system.

Cheers,

1975mark
1975mark's picture
Offline
Joined: 22.12.2011
Location: Huddersfield
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Hi Everyone, thanks as ever for all your advice, it'd definately the drag link arm in need, the one that links the pitman arm below the steering box to the left side steering.

I'm tryin to get one from main dealer, and am really struggling explaining what i want. After 2 calls and emailing them a pic of what i need they have sent me a pic of a tie rod !!!

Does any one have a diagram or part number that may help, proper struggling.

Pistonhead
Pistonhead's picture
Offline
Joined: 16.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

 Hello 1975mark,

What are your chassis details?  Is the vehicle RHD or LHD?

Cheers,

1975mark
1975mark's picture
Offline
Joined: 22.12.2011
Location: Huddersfield
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Hi There, it's a right hand vin number: 46023327060599

thanks for the help!

gav.helme
gav.helme's picture
Offline
Joined: 29.04.2011
Location: North Lincolnshire
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Hi

This is really basic!!!

They need group 46 Steering, sub group 120 picture 3 of 3

Item 11 Part Number A463 460 01 05

£255.00 + vat and MBUK have 8 in stock

They have sold 33 in the last 12 months

Don't know where you are but there are 3 dealers showing stock

Exeter EX2 8FD 01392 822700

Dartford DA1 5BL 01322 294414

Southampton S018 2RZ 023 8061 9044

You should be able to get between 15% and 20%, especially if they have stock

Hope this helps

Gav

1975mark
1975mark's picture
Offline
Joined: 22.12.2011
Location: Huddersfield
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Thanks Gave, this is a great help, i'm going to contact my main dealer today and get one ordered!
really appreciate i will post how i get on

1975mark
1975mark's picture
Offline
Joined: 22.12.2011
Location: Huddersfield
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Hi Gav, just been to my Merc dealers and they've sent me a pic of the part listed, but this is for a LHD vehicle my drag link is curved not straight like this. I've attached a pic of what they sent me : (

Not really sure what to say to them, think I may have to remove the old drag link and take it down to them

1975mark
1975mark's picture
Offline
Joined: 22.12.2011
Location: Huddersfield
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Hi Gav, just been to my Merc dealers and they've sent me a pic of the part listed, but this is for a LHD vehicle my drag link is curved not straight like this. I've attached a pic of what they sent me : (

Not really sure what to say to them, think I may have to remove the old drag link and take it down to them

gav.helme
gav.helme's picture
Offline
Joined: 29.04.2011
Location: North Lincolnshire
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

Hi

Which dealer are you dealing with?

They need some basic EPC skills training!!!

Most pictures on EPC are shown for German spec LHD vehicles. Only if there is a massive difference between the LHD / RHD set up would you get a specific RHD picture. If thats the case it will have a little icon in the top right corner of the picture of a dashboard and steering wheel showing LHD / RHD orientation.

This does not show that as there is only a few components that are different and the picture is just a representation of the set up.

When the dealer choses item 11 if he scrolls across from the left of the screen he will see a columns that are called...

Item Number: 11
Part Number: A463 460 01 05 (as well as other supercessions and old numbers)
Designation/Description: Drag Link
Quantity: 1
Version: R

The version column will denote either blank (Fits All), R (RHD), L (LHD), RM (RHD Man Trans), RA (RHD Auto Trans), LM (LHD Man Trans) and LA (LHD Auto Trans).

With your chassis number in EPC and the Factory Data Card present and all Filters ON, it will use the information from the Data Card and filter out what fits your chassis number. i.e. It only shows you one option, the R, therefore RHD fitting option for the Drag Link.

It really is almost fool proof, I would suggest you find a member of the dealer parts staff that is MB PPS (Parts Process Specialist) qualified. You may have more luck!

Let me know if i can be of more assistance.

Cheers

Gav

gav.helme
gav.helme's picture
Offline
Joined: 29.04.2011
Location: North Lincolnshire
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

The old Drag Link will have a number painted onto the middle of the bar. They do survive very well usually under all the dirt and oil and a quick wipe with brake cleaner or such like will show it up. You should find it without removing the bar and making the vehicle non mobile. It is usually towards the middle of the main bar. However you should not need to go to these lengths to obtain a complete bar. It is only usually necessary to provide the dealer with your bar part number if you are trying to obtain an end to match the bar as these can be tricky to work out even with the part number.

bigblock
bigblock's picture
Offline
Joined: 27.05.2009
Location: HIGHLANDS
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

 As I said in my earlier post it is definetly worth buying the removable ball joint end along with the bar to avoid a whole load of 'mis-understandings' if you try to re-new it at a later date.

panzer
panzer's picture
Offline
Joined: 28.01.2005
Location: New Forest
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

I have just fitted a new drag link and tie rod to my 1988 230 GES.

Drag link Part no A46334600105 (as already mentioned) RRP £254.00 + VAT (GWOA discount if you ask.)

Supplied by Mercedes Benz of Colstream - excellent service and they know what they are doing.

Shame they cannot be "Remanufactured" with new ball joints pressed in and new  rubber boots.
Perished boots are now I believe a mot fail.

hus55
hus55's picture
Offline
Joined: 09.01.2006
Location: north cyprus
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

hi there.

ok, so what are the side effects of worn tie rod ends on the drag link or steering arm ?

sloppy steering ?
 
slackness ?

play in steering?

steering pulls to the left or the right?

mine are knackered too so i found out the other day...

i am going down ph's path and getting the existing drag link and steering arm overhauled here in n cyprus. [all tie rod ends will be threaded on, so replacing them  in future will be easy . i have been gauranteed perfect results. if it works out i will only be paying about 100 stg for the lot !!

will keep you updated.

rgds hus

phileas
phileas's picture
Offline
Joined: 06.11.2008
Location: Cambs
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

hi hus,

the symptoms are exactly as you described them plus excessive roll from small steering wheel movements. you might want to check your bushes as well; needless to say, once one goes it will put more pressure on the next component which has to take the forces somehow.

Good luck,
ph

hus55
hus55's picture
Offline
Joined: 09.01.2006
Location: north cyprus
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Drag Link where to buy or alternative

bushes next ph !!

thanks for positive info. it seems these parts have gradually perished over the years with little effect till now...

[hope to get the G back tomorrow . will keep all posted]

rgds hus