steering centerlink issue after swapping crossmember

[Triple6Goat]

I have a 62' c10 that I swapped a 72' front crossmember into a while back. I have been driving it for a while and on my trip up to Moultrie, GA. I noticed my steering wheel would hang up in the center position, which was quite annoying because it made me swerve left or right. The problem is my center link/relay rod is rubbing on the crossmember and causing it to hang. I am using the 62' centerlink.

Has anyone else had a similar issue or if you have the same swap what centerlink are you using? I had a 72' laying around but I lost it in my last move.

Thanks for you help in advance.

[Triple6Goat]

I forgot to add that I am also using the 62' idler arm. Hope that doesnt make a difference.

[68GMCCustom]

what about the pitman arm?

[Bugeyev8]

I used all parts from a 72 on mine, do you by chance have the center link reversed?? or backwards? the nuts for the steering arms should face the front of the truck

[pctahlequah]

You didn't mention if you had power steering. I did the k member swap on mine and the idler arm had to be moved forward a little to maintain the correct geometry. I used an 83 model
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[markeb01]

I have a 1960 with a 1975 crossmember, but I used all the 1975 steering linkage including the idler arm. I had done a power steering upgrade years earlier using the REZ kit and have never had any clearance issues.

Are you using the original 1962 manual steering box, or a later power box? And where is the center link rubbing against the crossmember. Is it somewhere on the bar, or the adjuster links? Also – did you move the crossmember forward to better center the wheels in the wheel wells, or is it in the stock location?

[Triple6Goat]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

what about the pitman arm?

The pitman arm and steering box are the original 62'

Originally Posted by markeb01

I have a 1960 with a 1975 crossmember, but I used all the 1975 steering linkage including the idler arm. I had done a power steering upgrade years earlier using the REZ kit and have never had any clearance issues.

Are you using the original 1962 manual steering box, or a later power box? And where is the center link rubbing against the crossmember. Is it somewhere on the bar, or the adjuster links? Also – did you move the crossmember forward to better center the wheels in the wheel wells, or is it in the stock location?

it has the original steering box, pitman arm and idler arm. Its rubbing the center of the bar on the crossmember causing it to get stuck in the straight ahead position. I dont think I move the crossmemeber forward when I did the swap, the rear bolt hole was lined up and all the others were re-drilled.

Originally Posted by Bugeyev8

I used all parts from a 72 on mine, do you by chance have the center link reversed?? or backwards? the nuts for the steering arms should face the front of the truck

Its not on backwards.

[Triple6Goat]

Should I swap 72' steering centerlink, idler arm and pitman arm as well to make it not rub?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Triple6Goat

Should I swap 72' steering centerlink, idler arm and pitman arm as well to make it not rub?

I would say yes.
Do you have any pics of your front suspension?
Also,... what year inner and outer tie rods did you use?

[Triple6Goat]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I would say yes.
Do you have any pics of your front suspension?
Also,... what year inner and outer tie rods did you use?

I dont have any pictures of it right now. Im pretty sure I ordered 72 inner and outter tierod ends. I went crazy on LMC and had to order certain things for a 62 and other stuff for a 72, but im pretty sure they are 72.

[lolife99]

I'm not sure the 72 inners will work with the 62 centerlink.
Inners are sold as 60-62, 63-64, 65-70, and 71-72.

Like said above by another member,... you may need to move the idler arm and pitman arm.
Take some pics if you can.

[68GMCCustom]

mine had this problem after I changed pitman arms. I got it corrected tho the pitman arm does need to go farther on the output shaft, it just won't. Now the truck has new tie rods and the outers have an angle to them the originals didn't. Provided more room for the center link to clear the crossmember.

these are Moog parts btw...

[lolife99]

Those outters look bent.
Got any picks of the inners connected to the center link?
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[68GMCCustom]

outers came that way from Moog. no inner pics...but I can take some if you like....they're staight.