Can anyone tell me what type center link I need for my 1966 starfire. I've seen one listed as "Saginaw" and the other as an "alternative, same for the idler arm. Which one should I get?

Thanks

 

Your car could have come with either the Saginaw or the Thompson steering linkage. The difference is in the diameter of the tapered studs. Unfortunately there is no way to know which one your car needs until you remove the old one and measure it. You cannot interchange the two without changing the rest of the steering linkage parts. I also gave you your own thread rather than hijacking a six year old thread that really wasn't related.

 

Wow Thanks Joe! That's a huge help. The picture is even better because my mechanic didn't know what type I have either only that I need to replace it. Thank you for your help and with the new thread also. I have no idea how to do these new threads. Lol

Hugh

 

 

Those magic dimensions --- .556 vs. .587 -- is CRITICAL....
.556 is the "TRW" or "Alternate Design"....
.587 is the "Saginaw Design".....

They are N O T interchangeable --- You must use what is in there....
I have both Center Links and both Idler Arms BRAND NEW // No Cores Required // No Return Shipping....

Always best to simply call me --- Craig --- 516 - 485 - 1935 ..... New York....

 

Awesome! I'm learning so much about this car. As soon as I find out what I have I will be calling you Craig. Thank you!

Hugh

 

Thanks Joe. It's much easier to navigate when you know what you're doing, in anything! I really appreciate everyone's expertise.

Hugh

 

Hugh / OldsmobileKidd,

Joe P. And I have been helping out people forever, He and I have been friends forever, and in a chance to converse, we found out that we would have been in the same classes in college !!!!

He went to M.I.T., I went to the University of Pennsylvania.... M.I.T. was my "almost"....
Yours, Craig.....

 

Lol, I'm glad you guys are on this site. Honestly, I would've been up the creek without a paddle if it were not for guys like you on this site. Forever grateful.

Oldsmobilekidd

 

And on a related trivia note, "Thompson" was the "T" in TRW. Ramo and Wooldridge were the rocket and satellite guys and Thompson was the auto parts guy.

 

No stamp at the end of tie rod to determine which setup i have. However, I do have a curved idler arm which is th he alternative design. Wouldn't that indicate everything else is alternate design since they're not interchangeable?

Hugh

 

Hugh,
If you are 100 % positive that it is an "Alternate or TRW Design (.556)" Idler Arm.... Then it is
an "Alternate or TRW Design" Center Link and Idler Arm.....Craig....

 

Says who? All of the 65-70 Olds full size idler arms are curved. The only difference is the diameter of the tapered hole. Just take the linkage apart and measure the taper. Otherwise you have a 50-50 chance of being wrong. Do you feel lucky?

 

Joe P. and Hugh,
You notice I prefaced my statement with "IF", to then answer with "THEN".....

With my bad knees, A) I can not put my foot in my mouth, B) I don't think it would taste good, C) I would prefer to stay 100 % correct always by prefacing my remarks where We know the difference, and D) I would rather have a steak, baked potato, and fresh broccoli in my palate !!!!!
Craig .....

 

Hugh,
It seemed like a Sunday today, because it was the completion of a long weekend.... I have a function on Monday nights that I am at, presently.
I received your message --- I will call you tomorrow....
Craig...

 

Hugh,
PayPal received --- Thank you.... Too early on the West Coast to call you....
Will call you later today....
Thanxxx again, Craig....

 

Hugh,
Just left you the phone message.... Sent the Inner Tie Rods today....
Sent Wednesday, Feb. 17th, Tag says you will receive them Saturday, Feb. 20th....
Tracking information is :
9505 8143 6953 1048 3116 51
Thank you, again, Any questions or comments, feel FREE to call me ---
516 - 485 - 1935.... Yours, Craig....