Suspension, frame or steering components, Vancouver, BC area

[WRDETCOM]

I used Vancouver Axle and Frame  located in Surrey, BC, a suburb of Vancouver to have a new steering drag link fabricated for a 2000 Monaco Diplomat. It was the cheapest of all options from either a service shop, ordering a new part off the internet , ordering a  used wrecker part or refurbished part. I used the helpful and informative advice from Ken at Vancouver Axle whose shop deals with all kinds of heavy equipment truck and any manufactured motorhomes. The turnaround time was one day to get a new fabricated drag link which I removed and installed. Www.vanaxle.com or 604-882-5113

[Craggar]

Good to know for us who live close by.

 

[tmw188]

What is the back story leading up to you replacing it?

[WRDETCOM]

Hi TMW188, the coach had an inspection by an RV specialist during a proposed sale and the drag link was found to have way too much play. The specialist told the prospective purchaser to be cautious about buying because that part may no longer be available and the prospective purchaser then said he was only interested once the drag link was repaired.  I then checked it myself and was surprised how much play there was and took video of it posted to this website. The motorhome was found to be in excellent condition save for the drag link. I researched all possible courses of action considering the coach is 24 years old and found :

internet showed 58” Supersteer drag link for $1599 USD and an Ultra RV Products drag link for $1299 USD. Both are newly fabricated with adjustable tie rods at each end, unlike the OEM drag link that has a staked ( crimped) tube  tie rod at the wheel end and an adjustable tie rod at the steering box. Because it is staked, the worn tie rod cannot be replaced and no shop was willing to slice open the crimped end, replace the tie rod and then weld it as suggested by a Monacoer, which is by far the most cost effective manner, probably $300.
Kaiser Alignment in Eugene, Oregon were very helpful but for them to fabricate a new DL, was minimum $1000 USD plus shipping of $100 to Vancouver, BC, plus tax and currency exchange if living in Canada. If driven to their shop, it was estimated 2-3 hours labour to remove and install the drag link.

In the end, removing, measuring all aspects of the drag link and taking it to various machine shops for repair feasibility and lastly Vancouver Axle and Frame proved to be most cost effective for me, living in Canada. I installed it myself saving the labour.  Note on any newly fabricated drag links with adjustable tie rods, once installed, you have to check that the nut and bolt tightening the collar on the wheel end ( Pittman Arm)   clears the axle and frame when the drag link is fully extended for either left or right turns. It’s a narrow passageway. If the bolt or nut on the collar bumps  the axle, the collar will have to be turned slightly, repositioned and then retightened.

That’s the whole story.

 

Edited August 19 by WRDETCOM

[tmw188]

Yes familiar with those DL’s. Mine seems tight I check when greasing. I did have to replace the dust boot with an after market one. Probably should get a hold of it with a pipe wrench and see if it rotates any. 
Can you add the link to your video showing the play in it?

Edited August 18 by tmw188

[WRDETCOM]

Here is the video of the play in the drag link.

[tmw188]

Oh boy that was bad for sure. Glad you had it repaired. The new owner will probably end up on this forum some day.