Center Link HELP

[C10agent]

Hey guys,
I am rebuilding the front end for the first time and it is wearing me smooth out! I bought new Moog parts from a member and when everything didn't go together like it should I bought new stuff from Summit. Now I am thinking I might have the wrong center link. The inner tie rods don't tighten up enough to get the cotter pin through and the pitman arm doesn't fit through the hole. See the pics and let me know if I am missing something.

[JointTech]

i cant tell if its the right stuff or not but I do know the tie rods shafts will spin if they arent held somehow. Makes it a real pain to tighten the nut.
I used a c-clamp to crank it down enough that it held the shaft enough that I could tighten the nut without the shaft spinning. Not sure if that is your problem or not.

[lolife99]

It ALL has to match.
Centerlink.
Tie rods.
Spindles.

What year inner tie rods did you buy?

[C10agent]

I went to summit racing and and put a 1972 c10 and bought what came up.

[C10agent]

The drop spindles were on the truck when I got it so I am not sure about them.

This is what I bought from Summit:

- MOG-K6131
Pitman Arm, Steel, Chevy, GMC, SUV/Pickup/Van, with Power Steering, Stock Ride Height, Each
- MOG-K6096T
Idler Arm, Replacement, Chevy, GMC, Each
- MOG-ES403L
Tie Rod End, Inner, Buick, Chevy, Oldsmobile, GMC, Pontiac, Each
- MOG-ES415RL
Tie Rod End, Greasable, Outer, Chevy, GMC, RWD, Each

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Neil

[lolife99]

Sounds like you need a 71-72 specific centerlink.
These are not reproduced, so you will have to find a used one.

[C10agent]

That is what I was thinking, but I wanted to talk to the car gods before I went and bought one. Thanks!

[seafoam68]

Had this trouble myself when going with drop and all new pieces. The center link is year specific. So, if you have say, 72 tie rod ends, you need link for 72. PO might have mixed parts and made them work somehow. Most folks think 67-72 are all the same but there are differences. Good luck.

[C10agent]

Thanks for the response but I have a question for you guys. How do you id what year the drop spindles are?? I know they are mcgaughys but that is it.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by C10agent

Thanks for the response but I have a question for you guys. How do you id what year the drop spindles are?? I know they are mcgaughys but that is it.

The ONLY way to know for sure,... is to verify what year UPPER balljoint or outer tie rod,... fit your spindles.

[C10agent]

That is at least refreshing because I just replaced the upper ball joints and they fit right. I will get a new center link and update you guys. Anyone have one laying around that is willing to sell?? Thanks, Neil

[lolife99]

You may be buying parts by mistake.
You purchased 71-72 outer tie rods,... but you don't know what spindles you have.

I helped another member a few years ago,... and after buying part after part,... he sent me pics and he had 73-87 parts on his truck.
The previous owner had changed the crossmember assembly before he bought the truck.

Check your newly purchased 71-72 outer tie rods.
If they are too big to fit the spindle,... you have 63-70 conversion spindles.
If they are too small,... you have 73-87 spindles.

Some times

[C10agent]

So I am assuming with the three little bears logic that if they fit just right, I have the 71-72 spindles??

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by C10agent

So I am assuming with the three little bears logic that if they fit just right, I have the 71-72 spindles??

Ha.
Yes.
But there isn't much difference between too big or too small.
It's usually verified by the placement of the cotter pin in the castle nut.
The tie rod will seat the correct amount.

Just trying to figure out what was on your truck.
The 63-70 inner and outer tie rods are 5/8" where they connect to each other.
The 71-72 tie rods are bigger.
(11/16" but hard to see to the naked eye unless side by side)

[C10agent]

Okay so I just checked it out and it looks right. I got the outer tie rod end as finger tight as I could but when I crank down on it, it should line up right with the cotter pin. So hopefully that will verify that I have the 71-72 spindles in there. What do you think?

[lolife99]

I agree.
71-72 spindle.

[88Ironduke]

As an aircraft mechanic I am a stickler on properly sized/installed hardware and safety devices.... So I just looked at my 72' spindles with MOOG tie rods and they have about 3/16" of tire rod sticking out of the nut. It gives about 4-5 threads showing.

From a safety view, typically 2 to 3 threads showing is acceptable when dealing with most hardware. Also the proper sized cotter pin looks like it may be impossible to install because while the hole lines up to the castle nut, the nut isn't turned down far enough. While the risk may be small, the wrong size cotter key is just as bad as none if the nut comes loose. It will work the hardware back and forth, eventually it will break the pin.

I would look again at my spindles, tie rods and hardware before moving forward. Yours looks short and shouldn't require "hulk smash" torque applied to get things lined up.
Just my .02 cents. Good luck.

88Ironduke

[C10agent]

Once this rain stops I will investigate more. So are you saying that I might have the wrong spindles? I wish they would just stamp the year on these things to make life easier!!

[88Ironduke]

Originally Posted by C10agent

So are you saying that I might have the wrong spindles?

Disclaimer!!! I am by no means an expert here at all. Thru all my years wrenching cars, I have been wrong on many occasions. Just the outside perspective, the tie rod pictured appears to not drop fully into the spindle or is a bit short....? I'm certain that one of the Chevy gurus has a sure fire way to ID a set of spindles and get your project rolling.

88Ironduke

[C10agent]

I apprecaite the help guys! I am questioning now my decision to replace because I feel like a opened up a can of worms and it is biting me hard. I will be happy to get this part behind me!

[67 cst swb]

Disclaimer!!! I am by no means an expert here at all EITHER...
But, if memory serves me correctly... the 73-later spindles are thicker in the area where the tie rod end goes thru.
I think if you use all 73-later chassis parts (such as spindle, centerlink, tie rod ends, pitman arm & idler arm) then everything works. But, the items need to all match. Such as if you have 73-later spindles, you need to use 73-later components. I think the 73-later centerlink is slightly wider and the tapered holes are different. which means you must run 73-later tie rods in order for them to fit properly.
Now... I do not have the catalogs that I used to have, but...
The K6096T fits both 71-72 and 73-later.
The ES2004S adjuster sleeves fit both 71-72 and 73-Later.
but...
The inner & outer tie rods are different from 71-72 to 73-later
The Pitman Arm is different from 71-72 to 73-later

I could go way more in depth here... but If you would like me to help you anymore. Just PM me, I can give you my phone number in PM

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by C10agent

I apprecaite the help guys! I am questioning now my decision to replace because I feel like a opened up a can of worms and it is biting me hard. I will be happy to get this part behind me!

You are doing the right thing.
So many people go for wheels and tires and things that provide the "look" first.
When in reality,... suspension, steering and brakes should always be addressd first.

Just remember,... EVERYTHING needs to match the spindle year.
It's not that hard.
You just have to figure out what the previous owner did,... and that might not always be correct.

[C10agent]

I appreciate the encouragement. I think I found one on eBay, so I will keep you guys posted. Thanks!

[Steve Cole]

What if it's an aftermarket drop spindle the PO installed? Is there a way to tell what year it is intended for? I am in same situation as OP.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

What if it's an aftermarket drop spindle the PO installed? Is there a way to tell what year it is intended for? I am in same situation as OP.

UPPER balljoint and OUTER tie rod fit,... is always the definitive way to determine the spindle.
The aftermarket drop spindles are divided by these years:
60-62
63-70
71-72
73-87 Light Duty (1" rotor width)
73-87 HD (1.25" rotor width)

The 73-87 spindles need to be checked with bearings to determine if they are the Light Duty version or the HD version.