IML: Steering Center Link and Safety

[Joe Strickland <jwstrick426@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Subject: Re: IML: 59 suspension parts needed
>
>Hi All,
>   I'm in the need of a center link assy. and tie rod ends, any sources?
>Marty Trendler
>
>Red Bluff Ca
>1959 Imperial Le Baron 4 Door Sedan
>
>Marty:
>    The tie rod ends may be available from PST (http://www.p-s-t.com/).
>They don't show them but they do include them in their front end kits 
>so I guess they are there somewhere and I just can't find 'em.  If not 
>you can order them from rare parts through your local parts America 
>distributor.  In my area this would be AutoZone..  They list all the 
>tie rod ends as available and about 65 each (www.autozone.com).
>
>The center link isn't available.  The only thing you can do is send 
>yours to have it rebuilt. Again, Rare Parts seems to have a corner on 
>the market but last time I needed one done they would only deal with a 
>mechanic or machine shop.  You can find them at www.rareparts.com
>
>Steve B.

Over 10 years ago I managed to get a new steering center link, tie rod 
ends, idler arm, Pitman arm, ball joints and bushings to rebuild the 
front end on my '62 Imperial from Kanter Auto.  At that time they were 
good to deal with.  The actual parts were made by Moog.  From some 
comments on the club website, I don't know if Kanter is a good choice 
any more.

It turns out that these cars all seem to develop problems with the 
steering center link, Pitman and Idler arms due to the heavy weight of 
the cars.  When the rubber bushings wear out it allows the parts to 
shift from their normal position and radius of travel causing excessive 
stress on the studs of the idler arm and pitman arm.  Eventually it 
leads to the studs snapping apart.  The last thing you want is a 
catastrophic failure while going down the road.  The car I have had its 
pitman arm snap at the stud while it was in the driveway of my friend. 
If it had happened on the road it would probably have lead to a fatal 
accident.  There was absolutely no control of steering when it happened.

Be sure to check all the rubber bushings in the front end and the ball 
joints for wear.  After these many years it pays to have new parts if 
there is evidence of wear and disintegration of the rubber elements. 
Keep trying all possible sources for new parts before you have your old 
one(s) rebuilt.

Joe S.


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