Kicking around the idea of a centerlink brace

[jheyob]

There's only so much thread on the stock idler and pitman arm studs.

You make the center to center distance of the heims the same distance as the center to center distance of the pitman/idler arms.

 

[jheyob]

That brace leaves alot to be desired. 1/8 angle is like a toothpick to these trucks

Again....find out what the Allseason brace is made out of...judging by his pics it is not any thicker. And again, the idler/pitman arm stud nuts were not fully engaged even with my stock centerlink w/ a flat thickness of .995"

 

[Houser04lly]

Thats good to know . Thank you for that info. The all seasons brace has one Hiem in the center? and then the brace is fastened to the idler and pitman arm studs on each side correct? I understand why it wouldnt work with the braces .. Studs are maxed out

 

[jheyob]

Thats good to know . Thank you for that info. The all seasons brace has one Hiem in the center? and then the brace is fastened to the idler and pitman arm studs on each side correct? I understand why it wouldnt work with the braces .. Studs are maxed out

It doesn't use heims like the Tomac style. It uses a wear plate to rub against the diff housing when the centerlink tries to twist, saves you from having to weld/fasten a stud to your crossmember.

 

[Chevy1925]

Again....find out what the Allseason brace is made out of...judging by his pics it is not any thicker. And again, the idler/pitman arm stud nuts were not fully engaged even with my stock centerlink w/ a flat thickness of .995"

Well same question back at you. Do you know if that steel is just mild steel like you used or chromoly? Why is it yours "looks" longer and has more angle? Your basing everything off a pic, it doesnt tell you much other than basic design. If theirs did what yours did, you would hear about it so obviously there is more to it than what you built. Its not a simple thing to do but with time and trial and error, you can build something that works.

 

[Houser04lly]

Well wasn't trying to start anything just looking at ideas as whitetail was just good intentions.

 

[jheyob]

Well same question back at you. Do you know if that steel is just mild steel like you used or chromoly? Why is it yours "looks" longer and has more angle? Your basing everything off a pic, it doesnt tell you much other than basic design. If theirs did what yours did, you would hear about it so obviously there is more to it than what you built.

Chromoly angle?? More angle? Has the same angle as any properly done brace, keeping the vertical bars perpendicular to the ground. It looks longer? Length (assuming you meant height) wouldn't matter, the same force would be applied at the studs. Actually a higher brace would be best and lessen the forces on the rest of it (torque moments). It's a weldment...there isn't anything hiding in the pictures other than the material.

For reference.

 

[jheyob]

Its not a simple thing to do but with time and trial and error, you can build something that works.

Which is why I built a straight centerlink

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Well wasn't trying to start anything just looking at ideas as whitetail was just good intentions.

I'm enjoying the feedback, both for and against. This is a good way to see some aspect I may not have considered.

 

[Houser04lly]

A straight centerlink seems like it would be better .. yet a well built Solid Brace would do the same

 

[Chevy1925]

Chromoly angle?? More angle? Has the same angle as any properly done brace, keeping the vertical bars perpendicular to the ground. It looks longer? Length (assuming you meant height) wouldn't matter, the same force would be applied at the studs. Actually a higher brace would be best and lessen the forces on the rest of it (torque moments). It's a weldment...there isn't anything hiding in the pictures other than the material.

For reference.

Then why did yours bend?

 

[jheyob]

yet a well built Solid Brace would do the same

If you could use thicker material where it actually attaches to the centerlink or find some other way to attach it to the studs, besides using nuts to sandwich it against the flats on the centerlink, I think it would work awesome even if you didn't have perfectly flat tie rod angles.

 

[jheyob]

Then why did yours bend?

Probably that slight tie rod angle was enough force to do it. My arms were not new but they weren't worn either.

 

[Houser04lly]

Straight Centerlink or Well built Solid Brace?

 

[jheyob]

I don't mind having a straight centerlink on my truck. Either way they are both going to work the best with level tie rods.

 

[whytry]

Allseasons is 1/8.... 3/16 will still allow enuff nut engangement

 

[jheyob]

Allseasons is 1/8.... 3/16 will still allow enuff nut engangement

Thank you.

 

[DPC]

Here is the one I built for my truck a few months ago. I used 3/8 by 2" stock. I used a 3/4 hiem link for the lower piviot point. So far so good.

 

[Fingers]

Been running my Tomac style brace for 5 years or so. No issues. I have not had to replace the pitman and or idler since it's installation. Setting up the pivot on the frame was the hardest part.

Not near my truck right now or I would click a picture for you.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Here is the one I built for my truck a few months ago. I used 3/8 by 2" stock. I used a 3/4 hiem link for the lower piviot point. So far so good.

Forgive my ignorance, but I take it that is replacing the centerlink entirely instead of just a brace? Maybe it's the way I'm looking at it, but I can't get the fit in my head. Edit - I think it's the centerlink ends that are throwing me off.

Been running my Tomac style brace for 5 years or so. No issues. I have not had to replace the pitman and or idler since it's installation. Setting up the pivot on the frame was the hardest part.

Not near my truck right now or I would click a picture for you.

That's good to know you've had success for so long with this style of brace. If you could get a picture when you get a chance I'd like to see the design.

Do you notice any adverse effect on the steering during normal driving?