1971 B Body Center Drag Link

[Bee1971]

This 1970 and earlier type center link has been installed on my 71 Bee since I have owned the car in 1984 - Both ends are straight

I have rebuilt the front end , went thru the lower control arms , new reproduction upper control arms , just had the K Member sandblasted and painted , rebuilt motor three years ago

Alignment is decent , car drives perfect down the road , let go of the steering wheel at 70mph drives straight as an arrow

Center link looks parallel with the 402 Oil Pan

Problem is , it’s not the correct one - Didn’t even realize this until someone pointed it out and I was like

Anyways

The one I need for a 71 B Body has a funny bend/angle to it where it looks like it attaches to the Pitman Arm ?

I have Power Steering

I just picked up the correct one but have not installed it yet , should I ? What difference will it make

Why that funny angle/bend on the correct 71/72 B Body 70/74 E Body Center Link versus the straight 70 and earlier center link

Little confused

Thanx Scott

 

[Bee1971]

Pictures are for reference

1st and 2nd are 71 B Body

3rd and 4th are 70 B Body and earlier

 

[66belvedere1]

Pictures are for reference

1st and 2nd are 71 B Body

3rd and 4th are 70 B Body and earlier

Hi, since you already have 71 center link, I'd go for it. I would guess that 71 is a better setup somehow, than 70 and below. I'm not an engineer, nor an expert in geometry and suspension parts. There were exceptions to factory improving designs over time, ie cost of production, etc. that come into play, but its hard for me to see that more of a bend costs less. I'd guess an engineer specified it for a reason.
Would like to know the technical reason too though. I have a 66 Belvedere and going to 71 b body k frame i had welded up years ago by firm feel, 71 center link, factory lca with sway bar tabs etc. on the shelf ready to go. I like the later sway bar setup hence the retrofit. Maybe I'll learn something and back up before going through the labor to put it in though.

 

[Kern Dog]

I thought that I read that the 71-72 B K member had an angle to the steering box mount and that the center link was angled to match it?

 

[MoparGuy68]

My 71 Super Duper Bee has the center link with the weird bend on the driver side. I just went out in the garage and checked. I never noticed that until you mentioned it.

Is the sector shaft on your Bee in line with the exhaust port #1 like all the 2nd gen guys on here, or between port #1 and #3 like mine?

 

[Bee1971]

Thanx guys

What i do know

The K Frame matches my Broadcast Sheet - 52

Part # 3583052 - Has a build date around October 1970 from what i remember stamped on front - No skid plate No coin

I also have a K Frame Part # 3583074 with skid plate in the garage , has a coin 74 on the front - Build date late 1971

They both look identical / angles when i measured , other then one has the skid plate

As far as the sector shaft , i would have to look this weekend , but honestly dont see the K Frame being an issue

How about a incorrect Pitman arm ? Idler arm ? Those pieces where probably replaced in the early 90s the first time the front suspension was gone thru but like i said everything works great and looks good with the incorrect Center Link

I wonder if the Pitman arm would have a Part # on it - Will have to get under there this weekend and look

So if i did install the correct 71/72 Center Drag Link , probably would mess up my front end alignment based on that angle

 

[Kernel Sanders]

Personally I'd leave it alone until an alignment is needed, especially if what's on there now isn't causing any issues.

 

[Bee1971]

Anyone know the factory correct part # ?

Can’t find it online

Took this yesterday

 

[Kernel Sanders]

I'll look tomorrow I have one in the basement

 

[Kernel Sanders]

well on the two ends of the drag link I've found one end has the word 'GEAR' for the steering pitman arm and the other end has the numbers '258'
You have in your last picture the pitman arm. My pitman arm has the numbers (or what I can make them out to be) 2835873 but could be 878 or 373 or 378 likely the same number as the numbers on your pitman arm pictured.

 

[Bee1971]

well on the two ends of the drag link I've found one end has the word 'GEAR' for the steering pitman arm and the other end has the numbers '258'
You have in your last picture the pitman arm. My pitman arm has the numbers (or what I can make them out to be) 2835873 but could be 878 or 373 or 378 likely the same number as the numbers on your pitman arm pictured.

Sounds good

Thank You for looking

Well I have all the correct pieces anyways with the Pitman Arm on the car and the correct center link now in the garage

Maybe I will mock it up and see if it’s worth changing or what might change on that one end with the inner tie rod

 

[junior340]

I am rebuilding the steering on my 67 Coronet and from reading this thread I have a 71 center link like Norms pictures 1 and 2. I have the bend in mine by pitman arm not the straight like last 2 pics.
I do have a straight one I added a picture of. Should I change it out?

 

[Cop car wagon]

Old thread revival, but here's the answer I got 40 years ago.
Links are the same lenght, but the end kink on 71 up (and E) changes toe out on turns.
Once you have lowered your car, or deviated from stock, I doubt it matters

 

[junior340]

Old thread revival, but here's the answer I got 40 years ago.
Links are the same lenght, but the end kink on 71 up (and E) changes toe out on turns.
Once you have lowered your car, or deviated from stock, I doubt it matters

Interesting, I look at it on the car still wondering what is the benefits of the later curved one.
I better put more correct one on since I do have a spare.
Thank you.