Ever here of Qualis / Strauss Center Link?

[mgbeda]

Hi Folks,

I'm buying up front suspension parts for my '76 Sedan DeVille, hoping to get that assembled in a couple weeks.  I found this listing on ebay for "MOOG DS815 CENTER LINK".  But when I read the listing it says "PLEASE CHECK THE MOOG PART NUMBER HERE TO BE SURE THIS FITS YOUR VEHICLE. MOOG NUMBERS ARE FOR REFERENCE ONLY. THIS ITEM MAY OR MAY NOT BE MOOG BRAND, BUT WILL BE USA MADE QUALITY PARTS."

Later in the listing they say the manufacturer is Qualis / Strauss.  It is the right part number.  My question is the brand.  Ordinarilly I'd avoid a brand I didn't know, but this seems to be the only place to get a new center link; I guess Moog stopped making them. 

Anyone ever hear of, or have experience with, Qualis / Strauss? 

Thanks,

-mB

[Alan Harris CLC#1513]

Is it possible that this was the house brand for R&S Strauss chain of parts stores? They used to be very big in the New York, New Jersey area.

I would ask the seller if it is US made. If it is, I would tend to trust it, since there are not that many manufacturers of suspension parts. If it is Chinese, I would walk away

[Hankk17]

I got my centerlink for my '76 coupe DeVille at Then and Now autoparts in Weymouth MA.  I'm pretty sure they do mail order.  They have a wide range of stuff too but have typical mom&pop store hours so be aware of that.

Then And Now Autoparts
447 Washington Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
(781) 335-8860

no website that I've ever seen either.

good luck

-Hank

[Alan Harris CLC#1513]

If you Google "Qualis Automotive", you can see their website. It appears that they are a marketing group rather than a manufacturer.

[David King (kz78hy)]

MB,

I checked Rare Parts and they list a new Center link.  These new, USA made parts and OEM quality.

If the one you have located does not work out, I would be happy to get you one.

You check out their site at   http://rareparts.com/

For a flat fee over whole sale price, I could get you anything they offer.

Let me know if I can assist.

Good luck.

David

[mgbeda]

Thanks to you all.

I just bought a TRW (I've heard of them) center link from Then and Now.  Thank, Hank.  Yes, they do mail order.  And they also have a website:

http://www.maritimedragracing.com/then_and_now_automotive.htm

They spent a lot of time with me, and seem like nice people.  Yeah it cost a lot more than the Qualis one on ebay, but after spending years and thousands of bucks on this I'm not going to take chances with some off-brand part.

-mB

[Hankk17]

huzzah!  I finally helped someone!     

Yeah, I like Then and Now a ton.  great people.

hope the centerlink gets your car going!

-Hank

[mgbeda]

Well, the center link plus reassembling it from a bare frame.  :-/

Thanks again Hank

-mB

[Hankk17]

bare frame??  post a few pictures when you get a chance.  if you need reference shots definitely let me know.  I have a 76 CDV and a 76 SDV that are pretty solid and complete.  I also have the shop manuals.. but only in electronic form so the pictures/diagrams are murky and very dark.

-Hank

[mgbeda]

I've started a restoration blog called "The Restoration of Bessie".  Lots of pictures, and excuses, there.

I'm hoping to actually bolt something back on to the frame, for the first time, on Wednesday.

-mB