centerlink - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**old Rusty C10** · 04-06-2008, 06:25 AM

I went to look up parts to rebuild the front end of my truck and on advanced auto parts website it comes up with only one manufacturer for $109.99 .. i cant find one at rock auto at all... are these things becoming rare or something? i figured with all these trucks from previous genres still running around, it should be easy and cheap still..
anyone got ideas or a cheaper alternative?

James McClure · 04-06-2008, 02:09 PM

Bob, morning. 2 or 4 WD? I get most if not all my front end parts from NAPA. They aren't cheap by any stretch, but when it's the only show in town what are you to do but pay the piper, jim

**old Rusty C10** · 04-06-2008, 03:29 PM

yeah i use napa too sometimes but lately ive found advanced online cheaper and over $50 they ship for free so i have tried there i will be making the rounds later . Im usually quite satisfied with Napa parts although one time i went through five electronic ignition coils before i got one that wasnt defective but i guess that could happen anywhere
My blazer buddy told me the reason its so expensive is it really has nothing to go bad in it and seldom needs replacement so i dunno..
I was going to do front and rear shocks, upper and lower ball joints , idler arm .and the inner outer tie rod ends and sleeves so i figured best change the center link too

LONGHAIR · 04-06-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Bob, morning. 2 or 4 WD?

No "center link" on a straight axle 4x4.

James McClure · 04-06-2008, 08:46 PM

Longhair, in a way your right, but you know what I mean. In 4WD or any other straight front axel it's a drag link. I thought about Bob's truck and I'm thinking that his center link has no built in joints. Bob, if I am not mistaken all the parts (inner tie rod ends, idler arm and pitman arm) have the joints built into them. The drag link is more or less just a bar with 4 holes drilled in it, jim

LONGHAIR · 04-06-2008, 11:47 PM

"Drag link" and "center link" are totally different things

The drag link is basically just another tie-rod...connecting the pitman arm to the steering arm.

The center link is the "parallelagram" that connects the steering arm to the idler arm, so it "duplicates" that action to the passenger's side.

Jim, I think you are right about the center link not having any "wear-out" parts though. It is just a solid steel bar with holes for the respective ends...tie rods, idler arm and steering arm. So unless it is bent/damaged, there really is no reason to replace it.

**old Rusty C10** · 04-07-2008, 05:23 AM

ya know james after looking up the part on line youre right its just a bar with holes i have a 2wd truck so i dont need one.. that explains why its so rare its something that unless its bent it wont go bad

04-06-2008, 06:25 AM	#1
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,297	centerlink I went to look up parts to rebuild the front end of my truck and on advanced auto parts website it comes up with only one manufacturer for $109.99 .. i cant find one at rock auto at all... are these things becoming rare or something? i figured with all these trucks from previous genres still running around, it should be easy and cheap still.. anyone got ideas or a cheaper alternative? __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

04-06-2008, 02:09 PM	#2
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: centerlink Bob, morning. 2 or 4 WD? I get most if not all my front end parts from NAPA. They aren't cheap by any stretch, but when it's the only show in town what are you to do but pay the piper, jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

04-06-2008, 03:29 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,297	Re: centerlink yeah i use napa too sometimes but lately ive found advanced online cheaper and over $50 they ship for free so i have tried there i will be making the rounds later . Im usually quite satisfied with Napa parts although one time i went through five electronic ignition coils before i got one that wasnt defective but i guess that could happen anywhere My blazer buddy told me the reason its so expensive is it really has nothing to go bad in it and seldom needs replacement so i dunno.. I was going to do front and rear shocks, upper and lower ball joints , idler arm .and the inner outer tie rod ends and sleeves so i figured best change the center link too __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

04-06-2008, 08:46 PM	#5
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: centerlink Longhair, in a way your right, but you know what I mean. In 4WD or any other straight front axel it's a drag link. I thought about Bob's truck and I'm thinking that his center link has no built in joints. Bob, if I am not mistaken all the parts (inner tie rod ends, idler arm and pitman arm) have the joints built into them. The drag link is more or less just a bar with 4 holes drilled in it, jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

04-06-2008, 11:47 PM	#6
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: centerlink "Drag link" and "center link" are totally different things The drag link is basically just another tie-rod...connecting the pitman arm to the steering arm. The center link is the "parallelagram" that connects the steering arm to the idler arm, so it "duplicates" that action to the passenger's side. Jim, I think you are right about the center link not having any "wear-out" parts though. It is just a solid steel bar with holes for the respective ends...tie rods, idler arm and steering arm. So unless it is bent/damaged, there really is no reason to replace it.

04-07-2008, 05:23 AM	#7
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,297	Re: centerlink ya know james after looking up the part on line youre right its just a bar with holes i have a 2wd truck so i dont need one.. that explains why its so rare its something that unless its bent it wont go bad __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!



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