UncleA
Test Drive
- Location
- banned from 109 message boards
Nah
Last edited:
I'm very curious what you find out here. I have an old centerlink that I want to have modified to be bullet proof as well.I've got the centerlink blues. They don't sell upgraded center links anymore, so now I'm forced to build one myself from my old core.
All you OG 1st gen guys... got any part numbers for bearings I can use for these? Do both the idler arm ball joint AND the pitman arm fixed bolt need to be replaced, or is it just the idler arm ball joint?
Appreciate any input. Sticking with the inferior stock center link is not an option. I'm building this rig to be bombproof.
View attachment 20712
They're like ball jointsSo, I'm a second Gen guy, be patient with me but I have some experience with fabrication.
Do the tapered joints in the OE center link just spin or are they a multi axis joint like the TREs?
This. It uses ball joints in the OE Centerlink, just like tie rods. That's where the weakness comes from.They're like ball joints
What keeps it stable vertically?This. It uses ball joints in the OE Centerlink, just like tie rods. That's where the weakness comes from.
The grassroots centerlink gets rid of any flex in the steering by eliminating The ball joint, and replacing it with a bearing.
OP is trying to recreate the grassroots setup himself. And if he can, maybe we can send our centerlinks his way?
That's the issue. In the OE setup, nothing, really. The ball joints allow it to flex up and down (rotate). It's connected to the pitman and idler arm.What keeps it stable vertically?
My roadshock light bar is fantastic .Pleasantly surprised at how bright the OEM fogs are with a fresh set of 37.5w halogen bulbs. Excited to see how the 100w spot beams are. I shouldn't be left wanting for front end lighting with this setup.
View attachment 20773
Dayam. That's brilliant. Once you try it out, let me know how it works. I'd be interested in doing the same thing.With a little spritz of semi gloss BBQ grill paint, she's looking factree
View attachment 20868
View attachment 20869
I bought a case of Lucas Marine grease since it's almost sticky in nature and hold's up well in a salt water environment. We use it on pedal's/lever's and all spool winder's on the workboat's . IMHOBolted up the center link and everything fits fine. Steering is able to go through it's full ROM without any binding. Steering felt nice and tight as far as I can tell with no tie rods and wheels attached. The centerlink now operates on a fixed plane without slop and will no longer rotate from the forces from the tie rods.
I think this setup will work great with one caveat; since the pitman arm bolt is now completely fixed and doesn't move or rotate, I'll have to keep the mating surface lubricated with grease to prevent excessive wear. I'm thinking some agricultural grade ultra heavy duty grease that sticks around for a long time, or drill and tap a hole in the pitman arm end and install a threaded grease fitting for quick and easy service.
View attachment 20894