Yoda4561
10-08-2016, 08:00 PM
** looks like the one that got sent is a camaro centerlink, rockauto has that part number listed for camaros too, If anyone is replacing firebird steering parts stick with moog ds883 only for the centerlink.
So I spotted a centerlink on Rockauto listed for the 70-74 firebirds , delco #45B1023 and I happened to need one for my car. Finally got around to putting it in a few hours ago after having to destroy the original getting it off and something just ain't right here. My old inner tie rods didn't fit the new centerlink, double checked other years on rockauto and it's listed for the 75 and up as well. As best I can tell it's actually a 75 and up only centerlink , and I need matching tie rod ends to make it all work.
What confuses me is that I read that the newer style inner tie rod tapers are larger ( https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/103269-71-Firebird-steering-parts-question?p=1033089#post1033089 ), but the old tie rods in my car are way too big for the new centerlink, the holes in the older centerlink are larger. Edit: to clarify, the old inner tie rod studs will go through, but there aren't enough threads to get the cotter pins on the castle nut, there's also a huge gap that makes the grease boot useless since it can just slide back and forth on the stud.
So I'm a bit lost on what parts I need to get this thing moving again. Looking at the shape of the old centerlink and tie rods I either have the 70-74 ones or something off another vehicle.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/89547802a2dc4af4a18e58a8fed7a366_zpsvnyk-1.jpg~original (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Yoda4561/media/89547802-a2dc-4af4-a18e-58a8fed7a366_zpsvnykwwwf.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/a5b0fecacc9249baacfdab53e6fb5b62_zpskmh1-1.jpg~original (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Yoda4561/media/a5b0feca-cc92-49ba-acfd-ab53e6fb5b62_zpskmh1hvdy.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/WP_20161009_00_41_05_Pro202_zpsqjgnxiad-1.jpg~original (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Yoda4561/media/WP_20161009_00_41_05_Pro202_zpsqjgnxiad.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/WP_20161009_00_41_33_Pro202_zpsnnncdccf-1.jpg~original (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Yoda4561/media/WP_20161009_00_41_33_Pro202_zpsnnncdccf.jpg.html)
So I spotted a centerlink on Rockauto listed for the 70-74 firebirds , delco #45B1023 and I happened to need one for my car. Finally got around to putting it in a few hours ago after having to destroy the original getting it off and something just ain't right here. My old inner tie rods didn't fit the new centerlink, double checked other years on rockauto and it's listed for the 75 and up as well. As best I can tell it's actually a 75 and up only centerlink , and I need matching tie rod ends to make it all work.
What confuses me is that I read that the newer style inner tie rod tapers are larger ( https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/103269-71-Firebird-steering-parts-question?p=1033089#post1033089 ), but the old tie rods in my car are way too big for the new centerlink, the holes in the older centerlink are larger. Edit: to clarify, the old inner tie rod studs will go through, but there aren't enough threads to get the cotter pins on the castle nut, there's also a huge gap that makes the grease boot useless since it can just slide back and forth on the stud.
So I'm a bit lost on what parts I need to get this thing moving again. Looking at the shape of the old centerlink and tie rods I either have the 70-74 ones or something off another vehicle.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/89547802a2dc4af4a18e58a8fed7a366_zpsvnyk-1.jpg~original (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Yoda4561/media/89547802-a2dc-4af4-a18e-58a8fed7a366_zpsvnykwwwf.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/a5b0fecacc9249baacfdab53e6fb5b62_zpskmh1-1.jpg~original (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Yoda4561/media/a5b0feca-cc92-49ba-acfd-ab53e6fb5b62_zpskmh1hvdy.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/WP_20161009_00_41_05_Pro202_zpsqjgnxiad-1.jpg~original (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Yoda4561/media/WP_20161009_00_41_05_Pro202_zpsqjgnxiad.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/WP_20161009_00_41_33_Pro202_zpsnnncdccf-1.jpg~original (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Yoda4561/media/WP_20161009_00_41_33_Pro202_zpsnnncdccf.jpg.html)