Hi guys,

I am currently doing some major service on my 1966 Starfire. one of the activities is a complete overhaul of the power steering system. Power steering pump and Saginaw steering box are already overhauled and ready to be installed.

In spring, I already renewed all suspension bushings and lower/upper control arm ball joints since most of them were quite worn.

Now, I will additionally renew the complete steering linkage. According to my measurement, I would need to go for the Saginaw components. I already have new tie rods here, they seem to not be different between Saginaw and TRW. I still need to order the idler arm, and I have a very hard time to find the center link. the only source I found was Kanter, however they ran out of Saginaw center links (I asked them by email last week). The idler arm is still possible to order.

M questions:

1. Which parts are in scope when talking about the difference between Saginaw and TRW steering? (I understand this applies to center link and Idler arm, but what about the pitman arm)
2. If pitman arm would be identical between Saginaw and TRW, could I then maybe replace both center link and idler arm with TRW ones? (since TRW is still available)
3. Or do you know a source where I can order? (need shipment to Germany)

I add some pics of my components incl. measurements for your reference.

Thanks much for any response!
Cheers, Steffen



My idler arm with some codes on it



idler arm



Idler arm with codes



full pic of idler arm



pitman arm



Pitman arm measurement on smaller end of the center link hole



center link measurement, indicates Saginaw type

 

For the 1965-70 full size cars, the differences are the size of the tapers on both pins on the center link, which means that both the pitman and idler arms must match. The pitman arm is not a normal wear item and you won't find replacements readily available.

 

Hi @joe_padavano , thanks for your feedback!

I already feared it would be this way. Just wondered if the pitman arm could stay on the car, and center link plus idler arm could be switched to TRW. Why: Because the TRW center link would have a smallest taper diameter of approx. 0.556" which is very close to the .5625" which I measured on my pitman arm (see image above). So I thought that maybe the addition of a slim washer between pitman arm and nut could be sufficient to ensure the connection is tight. But I don't like this idea myself , feels like redneck level repair. Still, I have the issue that I cannot get a new Saginaw center link at the moment since nobody has it in stock any more. Any advise appreciated...

CU, Steffen


Identification of steering type (Saginaw or TRW)

 

The stud is a locking taper in the pitman and idler arms. It MUST be in full contact along the tapered portions. The last thing you want to do is to use a washer to space it down. Also, the measurement of the hole in the pitman/idler arms is not the most accurate way to tell. Measure the center link and either the arms fit correctly or they do not. You don't want to be doing this half-fast.

 

Hi all,

wanted to share that I successfully ordered a center link for Saginaw steering from ebay, was quite pricey but at least they had it available: https://www.ebay.de/itm/296225351098.

The interesting thing was that it seems they "converted" a TRW center link into a Saginaw one by adding metal sleeves to the TRW one. See the pics for info...

I feel a bit uncomfortable using them, but there is no other way unfortunately. The diameter is as needed for Saginaw however.

Your opinions?


Shape of the center link is as original



New center link with metal "conversion" sleeve



Side view