Just threw a new set of tires on the beast, and now I need an alignment job. The steering's become progressively looser over the last 40K miles, and now is to the point where the shop can adjust only the tow & camber, but can't tighten up the loose front end until I replace the center link. The joint where it connects to the pitman arm is where the play's at. I'm waiting to get pulled over for swerving when I'm sober.... Doing a google search, I only found a couple listings for center links, both ~$250 w/ exchange. Anybody else run into this issue? Is it worth looking for a used buy or trade, or do I need a newly overhauled one to make it a lasting fix? The shop enginner at work is an old NHRA guy, & he's the one that diagnosed where the looseness was & will help me replace when I get a part. I'm just looking for Buick-specific guidance now, if anybody can help? Thanks!
Unfortunately, the center links for our old Buicks have become expen$ive lately. Rare Parts is probably the only source, but you may get lucky and find one at Autozone or one of the other chain stores. I lucked out and got one through Autozone for about $80 last year, but they don't carry them anymore. Shoulda bought two... I'll check my local stores, sometimes the geographic region makes a difference in availability...
From the Autozone website, use zipcode 79606 to pull it up. DURALAST CENTERLINK for a 1968 BUICK RIVIERA Unit Price: $80.99 Core Value*: $0.00 Part No.: DS785 Weight: 6.6 lbs. Warranty: LLT Availability: Online: Special Order Store: Special Order ----------------------------------------- PM me if it's not available in your area.
Kristi, Per, and other '68 Riv centerlink seekers: I called my local AZ store, and they told me that the $80 centerlink isn't available yet, but a part number without a part means that it will be available in the future, but the stores have no idea how long until they can get it. He said that usually it's within 2-3 months. On the other hand, the $160 RareParts one is available now, and they could get one in hand in about a week after ordering it. ------------------------------------------------- RARE_PARTS CENTERLINK for a 1968 BUICK RIVIERA Unit Price: $160.99 Part No.: 25836 Weight: 6.0 lbs. Warranty: LLT Availability: Online: Special Order Store: Special Order ------------------------------------------------- I dug through some really old reciepts last night, and in '86 I paid $45 for a '71 LeSabre centerlink at the local dealer. Now I'm wishing I'd have bought 4 of the darned things, but who'd have thought they'd become such a collectors item? :rant:
sweet Thanks for the info, James! $160's still better than $250, which was my next best option. The part's in the mail, let's hope the old one isn't a bitch to get off... Cheers!
