Just as the title suggest. I have recently acquired a 1968 Buick Lesabre 4dr that is in pretty good shape other than the centerlink is toast. It drives like an old mack truck and I jacked up the passenger side from wheel and the end of the centerlink that goes into the pitman arm has a LOT of play in it. So I priced around online and PST wanted $225 and Advance autoparts wants $280 and Autozone wanted $74. So I trucked down to autozone which I hate to use but the price difference I couldn't pass up. Part number DS730 is not available in this area and I can't order it online either. #@#%$ :af: I mean I would like to go ahead and rebuild the front end but that would put up to like $600 and I still need other stuff to get this car really safe to drive. (exhaust is killing me with carbon monoxide (leaky)). If anybody knows where I can get one of these centerlinks nice and reasonable let me know. If you know what years and models used the same centerlink that would at least be helpful. Thanks, Brian
I don't think NAPA will have it. I helped a Norway Buick owner with this same problem for a 70 Electra. He told me he tried everyone with no success. www.rareparts.com remans them but they are not cheap as you found out. I don't think anyone makes new ones so reman is the way to go.
I don't mind a remaned unit but I don't want to pay $200 for the thing. Any help finding a sub $100 unit would be appreciated.
Dang. Just called my local Autozone, and they can't get it either. (although it does show up with a $74 price...) :rant: Rare Auto parts shows part number 25785 for $250 or so. :error: A year ago, I did the same thing on my '71, ordered the centerlink through Autozone thinking it was a Duralast reman, and then the box arrives with Rare Parts logos on it. Same huge price difference, too - go figure. o No: Anyway, my zip is 79606, if you find that I could order something that you can't, let me know, I'd be happy to help.
Centerlink Did you try Cars Inc? They list a unit for Skylark/GS for $67.50. I think they also have parts for big Buicks. Phone(908) 369-3666 Doug
my best friend bought one (moog) for his 1970 delta 88 through ebay about 5 months ago for 50 or 60 bux after shipping. i see them on there pretty often.. thats where i bought mine for my 74 .. it was under $45 after shipping.
Thanks guys, I got one on order. Should be here this week. Then I get to tackle the dreaded heater core.
Did you find a decent deal on one? Heater Core - this may sound crazy, but on my '71, the easy way to get the heater box out is to pull the dash, which sounds like a hard job, but isn't really...you have to pop off the dash trim panels and remove several phillips-head screws, then get behind the passenger side with a 3/8 nutdriver. Sometimes you have to get your hand up to the clip at the center base of the windshield, sometimes not. (Chassis Manual is big help). Once I get the dash out, everything behind / under it is a piece of cake. :Smarty: Now, on a '68 I don't know, but you might consider it. o No:
try kanter auto parts. they advertise in hemmings. no one had the idler arm for my 65 skylark. they had it for 41.00 shipped to my door in 2 days. good luck.
