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Center link fitment problem


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I ordered a moog center link part # ds749 for my 70 Monte SS and it is shorter and thicker than the original, but everywhere I look this is suppose to be the right part. The one I bought (ds749) will connect to the original pitman arm and the new idler arm but I can't get the idler arm bolted to the frame because the new center link is hitting the frame. But when I put the original center link back in it works with the new idler arm and original pitman arm. (I would use the original but it's got too much slack in the pitman arm side) Is the steering linkage for the big block cars different than the small blocks?

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The idler arm works with the original center link just not with the new moog center link. I had to either have the pitman arm disconnected or the idler, the centerlink wouldn't go in without taking one or the other off first. I also tried the original idler arm and got the same results. I'm not sure if I should just try another brand or what. Is the moog made overseas? It may just be made to different dimensions. Is there a USA made brand out there? I'm kinda stuck, I appreciate your help Sam!

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Match it up to the orig. one see if there the same, if not have supplier get another one maybe it got packaged wrong.

Yeah, it doesn't match the original, the original is longer and slightly thinner than the moog. I was hoping the same thing so I went to oriellys and had the guy pull a moog ds749 and matched it up to my original, same thing it was too short, and thicker. Is there a vendor that would rebuild the original?

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  • 3 weeks later...

Well it looks like I figured out the problem, the shop that powder coated my frame must've dropped the frame because now the engine crossover is pushed up and the frame rails are pushed apart by 3/4". There aren't any kinks in the frame anywhere, I had to pull a string line down the centerline of the frame, I started from the rear and as I got closer to the front the frame gets wider and wider. I also tried my radiator core support and one hole is also 3/4" off. My question now is can someone with a frame straightening machine fix it or should I start looking for a new frame?

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No, I havnt talked to them yet but I'm hoping to talk with them tomorrow. I'm sure they'll deny it anyway. I'm not sure if I'm going to let them touch it anyway, I'll probably straighten out the frame myself. If I let them do it on the frame machine they'll throw chains and hooks on it and destroy the powder coat which isn't that great of a job anyway. I've got an idea of how I'll fix it.

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  • 4 weeks later...

how could the powder coater bend the frame like that.. you say that if you use your original equipment it all connects fine but the new one dosent?.. that would have to be a pretty hard drop to bend the frame...are they that flimsey????

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  • 2 weeks later...

The reason my original centerlink fit is because it was so worn, lots of slack in it. And yes the frame is very flimsy, I have just the frame sitting on jack stands and I can bounce the frame up and down very easily with one hand. Bolting the body and other components to the frame are what make it more rigid. The shop that did the powder coating work uses a big fork lift to move the frames around (lifting it pretty high), it must've slipped off of the forks somehow and landed on the crossmember with enough force to bend it. I'm not actually sure what happened yet but I'm in the process of getting it figured out. I know for sure my frame wasn't bent when I brought it to them.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well I've talked with the owner of the shop that powder coated my frame and believe it or not he said he'll do whatever it takes to remedy the problem. So I told him the powder coat is chipping in some places, do to not sand blasting previous paint job completely off (there's primer underneath the powder coat where it's chipped off, it's showing on several spots on the frame). He said to take all the suspension off the frame and bring it to the shop, their going to straitened the frame and blast it with a new hydro blast machine they have to get the powder coat off and re-power coat it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed hoping the owner is a man of his word which I think he is, he owns a really reputable shop here in this area.

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  • 4 weeks later...

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