[Radar2059]

Hey guys and girls I’m having an issue with my 70 chevelle. Ever since I replaced my front suspension and steering with stock parts from opgi I’m having clearance issues with the center link. It seems to be rubbing on the spoon of the frame closer on the drivers side towards the pitman arm. The pitman arm was never changed and as you can see in the picture the number is the correct one. I was told if I could get a shorter pitman arm it could bring that center link away from the frame. It’s very frustrating cause you can hear the rubbing and shimmying every time you turn the wheel. Any suggestions? There’s only one size . I’m thinking maybe a pitman arm from a totally different car? I’ve seen posts before about this but haven’t seen any solutions. Hope you can help. Thanks.

Matt

 

[robertr63]

The pitman arm on my 69 Chevelle is 5" center to center if that helps out and I have plenty of clearance. I just put a front end kit in my car that fits both 69 and 70 Chevelle. I can get you pics if you need .
I forgot to add, my car has standard steering though so my info might not apply.

 

[HKalin]

Looking at the tie rod end that is hooked to the centerlink it looks like it has a bend in it. It should be straight which would lift the centerlink up.

 

[skier207]

Is the car off the ground? My 67 with power steering does the same thing when off the ground then ok when on the ground. Yes these frames flex that much.

 

[Radar2059]

Power steering for me and that’s what I have 5 in center to center

Is the car off the ground? My 67 with power steering does the same thing when off the ground then ok when on the ground. Yes these frames flex that much.

ita touching when it’s on the ground . When it’s up in the air there’s room

 

[Radar2059]

Looking at the tie rod end that is hooked to the centerlink it looks like it has a bend in it. It should be straight which would lift the centerlink up.

That’s the pitman arm side closest in the picture I’ll take another picture of the tie rod end for you

 

[Radar2059]

Looking at the tie rod end that is hooked to the centerlink it looks like it has a bend in it. It should be straight which would lift the centerlink up.

 

[HKalin]

I'm talking about the tie rod end on the drivers side not the passenger side. It could be how the tie rod flares out as it goes up to the joint but to me it still looks bent. Compare the shape of each tie rod end that are hooked to the cenrterlink they should look the same. It could be the angle of how the picture was taken that makes it look bent to me.

 

[oldcutlass]

Try loosening the bolts to your steering box and lift it higher and then retighten. It looks like that is the side that's low.

 

[Radar2059]

I'm talking about the tie rod end on the drivers side not the passenger side. It could be how the tie rod flares out as it goes up to the joint but to me it still looks bent. Compare the shape of each tie rod end that are hooked to the cenrterlink they should look the same. It could be the angle of how the picture was taken that makes it look bent to me.

Drivers side

 

[Radar2059]

I'm talking about the tie rod end on the drivers side not the passenger side. It could be how the tie rod flares out as it goes up to the joint but to me it still looks bent. Compare the shape of each tie rod end that are hooked to the cenrterlink they should look the same. It could be the angle of how the picture was taken that makes it look bent to me.

Passenger side

 

[oldcutlass]

Tie rods have nothing to do with the height of the centerlink. That is determined by the bends in the centerlink and specifically by the pitman and idler arms.

 

[Radar2059]

Try loosening the bolts to your steering box and lift it higher and then retighten. It looks like that is the side that's low.

Box was adjusted we tried it.

 

[robertr63]

Looking at the tie rod end that is hooked to the centerlink it looks like it has a bend in it. It should be straight which would lift the centerlink up.

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the idler arm and the pitman arm determine where the center link is positioned.

 

[robertr63]

Sorry I missed Oldcutlass's post.

 

[robertr63]

If you still have your old parts maybe you compare them with the new parts, if the old parts fit correctly there must be something different with the new parts.

 

[HKalin]

It should, another thing that I just noticed is I'm wondering if the steering box was centered before the pitman arm was installed. Look from one side to the other where the tie rod ends go into the adjusting sleeves there is a big differance side to side on the amount of thread sticking out of the sleeves. With that big of a differance the centerlink is being pushed further one way than the other.

 

[Radar2059]

Tie rods have nothing to do with the height of the centerlink. That is determined by the bends in the centerlink and specifically by the pitman and idler arms.

It should, another thing that I just noticed is I'm wondering if the steering box was centered before the pitman arm was installed. Look from one side to the other where the tie rod ends go into the adjusting sleeves there is a big differance side to side on the amount of thread sticking out of the sleeves. With that big of a differance the centerlink is being pushed further one way than the other.

k I will relay thanks

 

[J70Chev]

I recall that some year chevelles I think 64/5 had the option of a larger diameter drag link, are you sure you have the correct centerlink for your car? this may or may not be the issue but providing some context for troubleshooting purposes.

 

[71350SS]

Try loosening the bolts to your steering box and lift it higher and then retighten. It looks like that is the side that's low.

In post #9 Old Cutlass said this and it looks like the steering box side of the center link is lower. But it could also be the idler arm side of the steering linkage.That side looks high in the pictures.
I don't believe there's any adjustability in the idler arms installed height but some later models have idler arms mounts with about 3/8" movement.However your idler arm mount might be worn enough to allow it to move up or down.So you may have to loosen both of the idler arm attaching bolts & the steering box attaching bolts then move the center link to where it doesn't rub & then re-tighten.
Also do you have any pictures of the area where the CL is rubbing the frame ? And are any of those tie rod adjusting bolts contacting any place as the linkage turns left & right ?