Wait …
let’s explain how to inspect a drag link first.
there is two things that have to be considered one is rotating motion of the drag link and the other is a lateral motion of the drag link.
the important movement is the lateral movement, not the rotating movement.
Lateral movement is measured by a force of 50lbs aligned with the ball joins, you grab it and push and pulled it, any movement it fails. 50lbs is a lot of force by the way.
The rotating movement according to the freightliner, Daimler, volvo, mack, SAE and the NHTSA DOES NOT MATTER AND ISN’T USED TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE DRAG LINK.
There is no limit to what constitutes the amount of force needed to rotate the link.
Now what I am reading from you quote is you are replacing the drag link solely on the rotating motion of it and NOT the lateral movement.
IF THE PERSON DOING THE INSPECTION IS TELLING YOU TO REPLACE IT AND IT DOESN’T FAIL THE LATITUDE TEST THEN HE/SHE IS IGNORANT TO THE ENGINEERING OF THE DRAG KINK AND THE OUT OF SERVICE CRITERIA SET FOR A FAILURE POINT IN THE SUSPENSION/STEERING INSPECTION,
If you want to know more, both the SAE and the NHTSA has specific papers on this.
