DRAG LINK DUST COVERS

[FJWALLY]

Hi All - I know in the workshop manual there are only the small metal dust covers pictured with th spring for the drag links BUT I have found a rubber boot that is a genuine GMH part which covers each end of the drag link - does anyone know why these were not included in the original product - was it an afterthought after they had wearing issues or something?
Are they worth the $ - only found them on eBay for 120$ each so they are not cheap and have not seen any other aftermarket ones.
I can't imagine the metal covers do much to stop dirt and grime getting into the drag link joints?

[Harv]

The old grey, and the suspension it sits on, was built on a philosophy that parts were expensive, and labour relatively cheap. It was engineered to last, but required periodic maintenance. The lubrication schedule for an old Holden would scare off many modern car owners... it's quite frequent. The drag links are supposed to be greased every 1000 miles. If you keep the grease up to them, it will tend to push out most of the grit and crap that tries to work its way in past the dust seals.

The drag link, if not greased regularly, will flog out. Replacements (from donor cars) are relatively plentiful, and not that expensive. Over the life of the car, even in daily driver use, you would be lucky to flog out more than one. $20-$50 for a secondhand drag link would probably be a lot cheaper than $240 in rubber boots.

Cheers,
Harv

[FJWALLY]

Sound advice thanks Harv - what grease do you run in them - is it worth going for a heavy Molybdenum type grease rather than the lighter bearing greases?

[Harv]

I use Shell Retinax HD2 as my chassis grease (kingpins, steering, prop shaft) and Castrol HTB for the bearings.

I don't believe there is any benefit in going to a heavier or fancier grease... it gets changed out so frequently that it doesn't get time to break down much.

Cheers,
Harv

[FJWALLY]

Thanks Tim - I did pick up a pair but have not fitted as yet - Had a mate doing the prep for roadworthy and he's been snowed under so has done a rush job on the front end - when I get time to pull it and do properly will look to fit then although it looks better to be able to inspect them without the covers and as Harv says just keep pumping them with grease.