66 skylark center link

E

ex-probation-parole

Active Member
While rebuilding my 66 skylark front suspension I purchased a new center link. Thinking it was fine until I went to install it. When I went to tighten the joints to the steering arm and idler arm the joints would not tighten up? The listing stated the center link was for a 66 but it appears as if they are to small for the holes. I now know that it appears that 7/8 and 13/16 inch ones are offered, both of which say they fit the skylark. I think I must have the smaller one. Any thoughts or information I am lacking? Are these differences in size at the diameter of the joints? Thanks again for any help.
 
For what it's worth - My Pontiac-guy neighbor says "check the bar diameter". Said there are 2 different thicknesses/diameters in GM center links in the mid-60s. Said he doesn't know about the size of the joints, just that he understood you need to order what you have or it won't work. Doesn't know if it's manual vs power steering or what, just that it's something you need to check.
 
The joints as you call them are a tapered fit in the hole. They will spin when you try to tighten them until the taper seats in the hole. As far as I can tell there is only one size for a 66 which is a 7/8". I put a new one on my 67 skylark with no problem. Try using an impact gun on them and see if they will seat.
 
Thank you all for the responses. I checked my old one and it is a 7/8 inch which I have reordered. Lesson learned. The one that was sent before is actually a 15/16 inch bar. I feel it is suppose to be for something else, and was miss labeled. As far as the tightening problem the nuts do spin down, but not tight, and the top of the castle nut is way below the hole for the cotter pin to go into, without using a impact to force it further along. The problem should be solved when the new bar gets here. Another lesson learned that I will most likely never use again. Thanks again for helping to educate me. Happy Memorial Day too all who have served.
 
Glad you have figured it out, hope you can get a refund for the wrong part. Thanks for the Memorial Day greeting from a retired Air Force aircraft mechanic. I have a few friends to remember on this day...and a lot I never got to meet.
 
You were a generation before me, Thank You. Aero Repair and crash recovery. B-52, C-130, C-141, C-5, A-10, F-15, F-16
 
ex-probation-parole said:
While rebuilding my 66 skylark front suspension I purchased a new center link. Thinking it was fine until I went to install it. When I went to tighten the joints to the steering arm and idler arm the joints would not tighten up? The listing stated the center link was for a 66 but it appears as if they are to small for the holes. I now know that it appears that 7/8 and 13/16 inch ones are offered, both of which say they fit the skylark. I think I must have the smaller one. Any thoughts or information I am lacking? Are these differences in size at the diameter of the joints? Thanks again for any help.
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suspect it was a Made In China center link, reason is wrong dimensions. Some of the vehicles that had the option would be thicker swaybar for Police Car equipped. Buick members are low attendance on forums, so if any had your problem least likely to post.
 
Well after some checking of the wrong center link that was sent for my 66 skylark it was determined to be a number id of 749 which shows it is for a 68 to 72 Buick skylark and other vehicles. Now I know why the pitman arm and idler arm joints would not tighten correctly. My new 7/8 in center link has been installed with no problems. Thanks to all who have responded to my posted problem. Both center links look the same but the fit is not the same when you install it. Live and learn for us all.
 
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