Kia Optima Center (Drag) Link Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(715)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(715)

Center (Drag) Link Replacement Service

How much does a Center (Drag) Link Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Kia Optima Center (Drag) Link Replacement is $367 with $272 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2007 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$659.25Shop/Dealer Price$805.32 - $1221.01
2016 Kia OptimaL4-2.0L TurboService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$639.25Shop/Dealer Price$785.33 - $1201.04
2012 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$639.25Shop/Dealer Price$785.33 - $1201.04
2014 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$639.25Shop/Dealer Price$785.31 - $1201.00
2005 Kia OptimaV6-2.7LService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$639.25Shop/Dealer Price$785.35 - $1201.07
2010 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$639.25Shop/Dealer Price$785.33 - $1201.04
2013 Kia OptimaL4-2.4L HybridService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$644.25Shop/Dealer Price$790.20 - $1205.80
2018 Kia OptimaL4-1.6L TurboService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$643.27Shop/Dealer Price$789.34 - $1204.50
Show example Kia Optima Center (Drag) Link Replacement prices

What is the Center (Drag) Link all about?

The center link, also known as a drag link, converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel of a vehicle into the corresponding direction of the wheels when turning. You can find the drag link connected to the pitman arm, which attaches to the steering column. The other end of the drag link connects to the steering arm and eventually to the tie rods, which play a major part in pivoting the wheels that steer the vehicle.

In some vehicles, the drag link connects directly to the tie rod assembly via a ball joint instead of to a steering arm. Drag links come in either a solid single-piece or as an adjustable design.

Keep in mind:

  • In addition to the drag link, our expert mechanic will also check the ball joints connecting the drag link to the pitman arm and the steering arm or tie rod assembly for wear or cracking.
  • Many drag links feature replaceable ends so you do not have to replace the whole part.
  • One of our expert mechanics will also inspect the shocks and struts when checking the drag link to make sure these parts remain in good shape.

How it's done:

  • The vehicle front wheels are turned straight and the vehicle is lifted and supported on jack stands
  • The defective center drag link is removed
  • The new center drag link is installed
  • The vehicle is removed from jack stands
  • The vehicle is road tested and checked for proper steering operation

Our recommendation:

By following your vehicle's regular maintenance schedule, you should have the linkage beneath the vehicle, including the drag link, inspected whenever you have the vehicle lubed. Most often, though, today's ball joints, tie rods, and other parts are sealed and require little to no maintenance. In this case, have one of our expert mechanics inspect the drag link when performing a tire rotation or change, a vehicle alignment, or whenever your vehicle displays symptoms that might indicate a problem is developing with the drag link or any of its related components.

When inspecting the drag link, the mechanic will look for any excessive play, a strong indicator that the part needs replacing.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Center (Drag) Link?

  • Vibration while driving
  • Wobbling while driving

How important is this service?

The drag link is an important component in the operation of your vehicle. A faulty drag link can cause your vehicle to vibrate or wobble while driving, affecting the handling, stability, and alignment of the vehicle, making it more difficult to drive. If the faulty drag link is not replaced, the vehicle will eventually become inoperable.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Kia mechanics

Real customer reviews from Kia owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(715)

Rating Summary
675
15
8
2
15
675
15
8
2
15

Torrieanto

12 years of experience
632 reviews
Torrieanto
12 years of experience
Kia Optima V6-2.7L - Brake Light Switch - Riverview, Florida
Job well done - and fast.

Taylor

8 years of experience
47 reviews
Taylor
8 years of experience
Kia Optima L4-2.4L - Oil Change - Atlanta, Georgia
Taylor was super nice and very fast. He did the job right and took the time to explain everything to me. Great job!

Carlos

12 years of experience
77 reviews
Carlos
12 years of experience
Kia Optima L4-2.4L - Car Battery Replacement - Yorba Linda, California
Carlos was early, prepared, efficient and friendly. I really liked being able to stay and observe.

Dan

39 years of experience
1005 reviews
Dan
39 years of experience
Kia Optima L4-2.4L - Wheel Bearings Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - Atlanta, Georgia
Dan was great. He arrived exactly on time and finished up the work in a couple of hours while I worked at the office. He was extremely friendly and professional even when there was an issue with the office landlord. My car is driving great now and YourMechanic.com via Dan was able to do the work for literally hundreds less than what any shop had quoted me. Once you add in the fact that it all took place at my office building and I didn't have to take time off or out of my weekend to get it taken care of and you've got a real winner. I'll be making sure to check YouMechanic.com for quotes first

Excellent Rating

(715)

Rating Summary
675
15
8
2
15
675
15
8
2
15
Number of Kia Optima services completed
7865+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Kia MECHANICS
1000+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist
Buick Buick has entered the hybrid market in a big way with the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist model. It has all of the same great looks and features that you would expect from a luxury sedan from Buick. However, the...
How to Remove Wheel Locks
When When you have nice, new rims (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-rims-work-and-why-they-matter) on your car, you won’t be the only one admiring them. Good-looking wheels draw the attention of car aficionados and thieves alike. Wheels are an easy mark for thieves. When you leave...
The Guide To Colored Curb Zones in Ohio
Ohio Ohio parking laws: understanding the basics Drivers located in Ohio need to make sure they know and understand the laws and regulations for parking. Even if you know all of the rules of driving and being on the road,...

Fuses keep blowing

Greetings. It is highly possible that the light bulbs themselves could be shorting out the system due to incorrect bulb installment. Verify that the part numbers on the bulbs are the proper fit for your vehicle. Incorrect bulbs can short...

Air conditioner cuts out when accelerating or under pressure going up hill.

Hello. Typically this occurs due to a bad vacuum check valve under the hood. During hard acceleration the AC door system loses vacuum, causing the doors to default to the windshield. This check valve keeps this from occurring. It is...

Heater and transmission fluid

The cabin heating system and the automatic transmission have no connection. Faults in one do not affect the other. The transmission fluid leak is possibly in the tubing and/or rubber hoses through which transmission fluid flows to the radiator and...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com