This past 3 day weekend was spent replacing the tie rods and center link on my '86 420 SEL. What a nightmare! Every bolt was absolutely frozen in place, it was if they were welded in place. Eventually I had to hacksaw and Dremel cut 6 bolts off then drill 4 new holes. I had to step drill starting with 1/4", then 3/8", then 1/2" until I was able to massage out the remaining previously existing bolts. Then I enlarged each hole about 1/32" with the Dremel to avoid this condition in the future. As an extra bit of insurance I shrink wrapped the new bolts and coated them with antiseize before putting the whole assembly back together. Now comes the interesting part. My new center link is about 3" longer then the old one and the cross shock absorber will not fit the new center link. Instead of performing more modifications I will order a center link from the PartsShop. But for now it does drive much better than before and my right tire does not feel as if it will wiggle off over each bump in the road. What purpose does the center link shock absorber serve? Is it to return the steering wheel to center when the steering wheel is released?

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1986 420SEL. 200,000 miles plus.
1991 Cutlass Supreme
1980 VW Vanagon (Old Smokey)