Steering link orientation

[Byrd48]

Hi,
I bought a new steering link and tie rod kit.
I took the old parts off already.
I notice the steering link is u-shaped in the middle, but one end is a little longer than the other. Which is The driver side?
Also, on my car it had a protective shield above the ends only on the passenger side. Should the driver side have this shield also?
Thanks!
Jon

[bobplyler]

The heat shield is to protect from the exhaust heat.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Your second question is easier: The passenger side has a metal shield on the tie rods connected to the idler arm, because it is right next to the exhaust manifold where it's hotter. The driver's side does not have this shield.

As for the center link, I'm pretty sure they are supposed to be symmetrical. Do you have the right part? When you say, "one end is a little longer than the other" what exactly do you mean?

-Bryan

[Byrd48]

Thanks!
If you imagine it being u-shaped, one of the sides of the u is maybe an inch longer than the other. It may not actually matter. I put the short end on the passenger side. It seems however that it's pretty close to the engine (maybe the other one was too). It's about an inch or two in front of the engine block.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I don't remember there being a difference in the "side lengths of the U", but as long as the link doesn't hit something as you turn the wheels from one side to the other, it should be fine. There isn't much clearance there, but the engine and bellhousing are fixed in location, and the link really only moves side to side (and not up and down or front to back). Check the clearance, if it doesn't hit anywhere, I think it's OK.

-Bryan

[Byrd48]

Thanks so much! Let me ask one more question: I don't have clearance to get my torque wrench in there. How do I know how much to tighten the new ones?
Thanks again!

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I do these by feel, which I know doesn't help you much. Not insanely tight, but perhaps snug and then another 1/4 turn?

-Bryan