Jayycobb

These are the bushings or dust bushings that go between the center link and the Idler/Pitman arms. Mine are worn and I need new ones, I have a 1971 Cutlass, Please help! Thanx in advance.

Lady72nRob71

Is it these things we are talking about?
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-steering.html

If so, they are not sold separately. Just make some out of 1/4" or 3/8 thick closed-cell foam (the plasticy kind). I used a scrap of some ESD black packing material I had at work and made my own. I might have some laying around the garage...

Jayycobb

Something like this ok? So what does it do, just keep dust out? what about the fact that the idler and pitman arms dont seat all the way down with the nut tightened/bottomed on the threads, isnt it not good for proper steering operation to have 3/8" of space there?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_66679-81-022...%2Bcell%2Bfoam

Lady72nRob71

No - that stuff is way too soft. It will fall apart in no time.
This stuff I am referring to is easily found in packing material. it is a firm plastic-like material. I think it was just 1/4".
These washers are just to keep out dust and hold in grease. Yes, they no not seat all the way by design. There are bearings/ball joints inside the center link.
Let me look to see if I still have that black material. If I do I can mail you some. You need two washers?
I saw some pink stuff in the shed today, but that would look tacky!

Allan R

I know what you mean Rob. When I first looked at the foamies that came with my new center link I couldn't believe it. But I used them anyway. Seemed to me they were somewhat flimsy. I compared them to the OEM that came out and they're not even close. Only problem was one of the OEM's was torn/trash so I elected to use the new ones. So if I have to replace them, it won't be a huge problem since all the parts are new now.