I took my truck into Firestone today, they looked at it and the guy wasnt too happy. He said that they couldnt even connect the truck up to the alignment machine because the center link was bent by at least 1/2''. He then told me that he has exhausted all of his regular parts stores and none of them stock or can get it anymore as it is discontinued. I did some quick checking and confirmed this. But I found one place online that still sold it and had 4 left.....rockauto.com Ordered one and got the fastest shipping available. He said that even though we found the center link that the truck still may not drive because he claims that he can tell from his naked eye that the frame is twisted. He thinks that the driver side is at least 3 inches higher than the passenger side. When I had the truck my dad and I looked at it and we couldnt tell any such difference. I sent pictures of the truck to and explained what happened to my brother in law who is a mechanical engineer and who has restored a couple different vehicles and he doesnt think this is anything to worry about. He said that even if the frame caught tweaked some that an alignment and correct parts should keep. Even if I can make it drive as far as his house he has the equipment to straighten the truck out. What do you guys think?

 

My frame was bent at the driver's side lower control arm rear mount when I got it. It was rolled in pretty good, but the alignment was within spec. Since I was working at a body shop at the time, I pulled the truck up on the frame machine after work and pulled it straight (to the eye, I never measured it), and when I was done, the front wheel was sitting at a very odd angle, but again, they aligned it within spec. I've never had any alignment problems of any kind. There is A LOT of adjustment in these trucks.

BTW, you should have asked on here about a center link before you bought one! I have one sitting in the garage that I would have sold you for cheap! If you end up needing any other front suspension parts, let me know.

 

NICE! you have tie rods / idler arm / pitman arm? Do they happen to be moog? :P

 

I have tie rods and an idler arm... still attached to the center link :P I took out as few bolts as possible when I was tearing out the IFS! I need the pitman arm though.

I honestly can't recall what brand they are. I don't think they are moog though, cause I'm too cheap for that. They were only on my truck for about a year though and I greased them religiously!

 

If the shop guy calls and says I need to replcae any of those parts I will definitely be giving you a call. He said that they looked pretty worn and with a new center link we may need to replace them. How much for the center link and all the components attached to it? Just so that I know to keep that money in reserve.

 

Hmm, I don't really have a number in my head. I mean they're all used steering parts, so they aren't really worth much... except maybe the center link if its discontinued! :P

Name a price within reason and they're yours.

 

I hear ya. I am tempted to buy another one just for safe keeping. I do plan on keeping this truck going for at least the next ten years.

 

Major question!!! The replacement center link came in and it has a second hole next to the idler arm hole. I looked at mine and either didn't look deep enough or mine doesn't have the second hole. I looked in my haynes manual and the 90-93 service manual and both show the second hole. Anyone have any more info on this?

 

Be sure and compare the 2 links side by side during the repair process....it is not that rare an event for a mechanic to try to sell you parts you don't need.

 

Ok so the center link I bought is wrong. It looks basically like the diagram below:

o====o===o=o===o

I need a centerlink that looks like this:

o====o===o====o

Rockauto is making it right with me and I cant fault them for this. Right part just wrong application.