STLCRZY

hi guys,
need to know if the tie rods operate difference from outer to inner site on a centerlink, because i ordered one from THE PARTS PLACE and notice that i canīt move one of the tie rods in any direction.
I also notice that one tie rod are deeper installed in the centerlink than the other.

PARTS PLACE wrote me:
Thank you for the pictures. On that center link, it is not supposed to swivel. It just rotates. It is designed to move just a little bit but it will not rotate like your outer tie rod ends or your ball joints. If it swiveled, there would be a dust boot.


is this true........?

sorry for my English-hope you understand me.

Lady72nRob71

The studs at the end of the centerlink only rotate and will have a small dust/grease seal.
The inner tie rod ends connect in the two inner holes of the center link and those tie rod ends will swivel and turn. These have the larger dust/grease boot.

If one of your tie rod ends (with the boot) will not move, then it is either just stiff (if hard to move with your hand) or defective (if hard to move with a tool holding it.)

Hope this helps!

STLCRZY

Hi Rob,

yes it help and i learned something new.


i talked about the outer studs (small dust/grease seal.)
....but can i use this centerlink if i can one stud (small dust/grease seal) move in any direction like my!


thanks

STLCRZY

I notice that one stud is deeper installed in the centerlink than the other.
Is this normaly???

Indy_68_S

Holy giant pictures, Batman ! I think I can see individual molecules...

The one in the bottom pic does not look right at all.... Looks like its broken...

Lady72nRob71

No. One side's stud is broke.
I just looked at mine (Moog brand) and both studs are 1 3/8" long and they only turn, not swivel.
Sorry for the bad news...

STLCRZY

Yes maybe itīs broken ...but and the movable stud move really like a outer tie rod end or a ball joint, not like itīs broken-need fairly amount of constant force to move the stud in any direction.


Measured the height now, and although the studs looks like installed in different height, they both measure nearly 1 1/4 ".....



...maybe the wrong stud is installed in my Chinalink?


thanks

Lady72nRob71

For sure that one side is damaged or installed wrong. I measured 1 3/8" from the edge of the machined surface to the stud end. If you measure from the rubber seal, 1 1/4" seems right.

What car is this for?

STLCRZY

I measure like you-flat surface(c.link) to stud end...both nearly same...any other idea?


The c-link is for a 65 442.

STLCRZY

....only want to close this thread with the comment that the centerlink work,how it must work!

(if anyone ask the same)

Indy_68_S

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but I would not use that c-link.
IMO, That stud is not contained properly. It may work for now, but will eventually loosen & potentially fail...

RAMBOW

yes, that one stud is off at a weird angle, even if it does rotate, its is not right and will likely cause you problems making the tie-rod & pitman arm connections to it.