Patent ID: 7416198

Claim:
A drag link assembly of a vehicle steering linkage comprising: a main drag link socket assembly including a main rod portion having a first end with a pocket and a second end having threads thereon, and the drag link assembly further includes a ball joint mounted in the pocket; a clamp including a curvilinear main body and a pair of spaced apart legs extending therefrom, the main body defining a rod receiving bore within which is mounted the main rod portion of the drag link socket assembly, the legs each including a mounting bolt hole adapted to receive a mounting bolt extending through both of the mounting bolt holes, and the legs adapted to be pulled closer together when a nut operatively engages the mounting bolt thereby causing the main body to apply a clamping load to the main rod portion; and a weld securing the main body of the clamp to the main rod portion whereby the clamp is maintained at a predetermined axial location and rotational orientation on the main rod portion.