A drag link is a suspension linkage component that is found in vehicles equipped with steering gear type steering systems. Drag links are most commonly found on larger trucks and vans, and serve as the component that links the vehicle’s steering gear box to the tie rod ends. One side of the drag link connects onto the pitman arm, and the other connects to a fixed pivot point while the ends connect to the tie rods. When the steering wheel is turned, the drag link transfers the rotating motion from the gearbox to the wheels so that the vehicle can be steered. As the drag link is one of the central components to the entire steering system, when it fails or has any problems, it can cause issues with the vehicle’s handling. Usually a bad or failing drag link will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential problem that should be serviced.
