stupid question about idler arm
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Franklin MA
stupid question about idler arm
I went to get an alignment done last week and found out I had a bad idler arm. The guy was able to push it up about an inch. He also said my tie rod ends are marginal.
Since my front end is pretty "ugly" with worn parts, I'm thinking of getting the front end rebuild kit this winter so I can clean the front end and put in the new parts. I don't want to tackle this project now because I want to drive the car while the weather is nice and I don't want the car to be out of commission too long.
I don't know if it is safe to drive with a bad idler arm so I plan to replace it now, put my old tires back on, and get an alignment done next spring. My question is can I take it apart again this winter without ruining it? Thanks.
Since my front end is pretty "ugly" with worn parts, I'm thinking of getting the front end rebuild kit this winter so I can clean the front end and put in the new parts. I don't want to tackle this project now because I want to drive the car while the weather is nice and I don't want the car to be out of commission too long.
I don't know if it is safe to drive with a bad idler arm so I plan to replace it now, put my old tires back on, and get an alignment done next spring. My question is can I take it apart again this winter without ruining it? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
I went to get an alignment done last week and found out I had a bad idler arm. The guy was able to push it up about an inch. He also said my tie rod ends are marginal.
Since my front end is pretty "ugly" with worn parts, I'm thinking of getting the front end rebuild kit this winter so I can clean the front end and put in the new parts. I don't want to tackle this project now because I want to drive the car while the weather is nice and I don't want the car to be out of commission too long.
I don't know if it is safe to drive with a bad idler arm so I plan to replace it now, put my old tires back on, and get an alignment done next spring. My question is can I take it apart again this winter without ruining it? Thanks.
Since my front end is pretty "ugly" with worn parts, I'm thinking of getting the front end rebuild kit this winter so I can clean the front end and put in the new parts. I don't want to tackle this project now because I want to drive the car while the weather is nice and I don't want the car to be out of commission too long.
I don't know if it is safe to drive with a bad idler arm so I plan to replace it now, put my old tires back on, and get an alignment done next spring. My question is can I take it apart again this winter without ruining it? Thanks.
"Marginal" steering doesn't sound like it would be too fun to drive. Why not call Van Steel and get an expert opinion.
When you get ready for your project, the Van Steel video is very helpful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
I went to get an alignment done last week and found out I had a bad idler arm. The guy was able to push it up about an inch. He also said my tie rod ends are marginal.
Since my front end is pretty "ugly" with worn parts, I'm thinking of getting the front end rebuild kit this winter so I can clean the front end and put in the new parts. I don't want to tackle this project now because I want to drive the car while the weather is nice and I don't want the car to be out of commission too long.
I don't know if it is safe to drive with a bad idler arm so I plan to replace it now, put my old tires back on, and get an alignment done next spring. My question is can I take it apart again this winter without ruining it? Thanks.
Since my front end is pretty "ugly" with worn parts, I'm thinking of getting the front end rebuild kit this winter so I can clean the front end and put in the new parts. I don't want to tackle this project now because I want to drive the car while the weather is nice and I don't want the car to be out of commission too long.
I don't know if it is safe to drive with a bad idler arm so I plan to replace it now, put my old tires back on, and get an alignment done next spring. My question is can I take it apart again this winter without ruining it? Thanks.
the idler arm is one of the easier jobs to to two bolts on the frame, one tho the drag link
you can drive with it bad, and if it moves an inch like he said you will notice a difference when the new one is in, you can do this on ramps and dont have to disconnect anything else
should take about 40 min end to end
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Franklin MA
Thanks, guys.
Hi Tim,
What do you mean "you can drive with it bad"? The car doesn't handle very well on rough roads. I can deal with the bad handling but I am afraid the idler arm will just break. Ideally I want to put off the fix until the winter if the car is safe to drive. This way I don't have to worry about breaking an idler arm trying to pull it apart from the drag link this winter. Thanks.
p.s. I don't remember seeing 2 bolts on the frame. I remember seeing an empty hole and a bolt below that. I'll have to go home and check it again. Could this be why my idler arm is moving?
-Peter
the idler arm is one of the easier jobs to to two bolts on the frame, one tho the drag link
you can drive with it bad, and if it moves an inch like he said you will notice a difference when the new one is in, you can do this on ramps and dont have to disconnect anything else
should take about 40 min end to end
you can drive with it bad, and if it moves an inch like he said you will notice a difference when the new one is in, you can do this on ramps and dont have to disconnect anything else
should take about 40 min end to end
What do you mean "you can drive with it bad"? The car doesn't handle very well on rough roads. I can deal with the bad handling but I am afraid the idler arm will just break. Ideally I want to put off the fix until the winter if the car is safe to drive. This way I don't have to worry about breaking an idler arm trying to pull it apart from the drag link this winter. Thanks.
p.s. I don't remember seeing 2 bolts on the frame. I remember seeing an empty hole and a bolt below that. I'll have to go home and check it again. Could this be why my idler arm is moving?
-Peter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Thanks, guys.
Hi Tim,
What do you mean "you can drive with it bad"? The car doesn't handle very well on rough roads. I can deal with the bad handling but I am afraid the idler arm will just break. Ideally I want to put off the fix until the winter if the car is safe to drive. This way I don't have to worry about breaking an idler arm trying to pull it apart from the drag link this winter. Thanks.
p.s. I don't remember seeing 2 bolts on the frame. I remember seeing an empty hole and a bolt below that. I'll have to go home and check it again. Could this be why my idler arm is moving?
-Peter
Hi Tim,
What do you mean "you can drive with it bad"? The car doesn't handle very well on rough roads. I can deal with the bad handling but I am afraid the idler arm will just break. Ideally I want to put off the fix until the winter if the car is safe to drive. This way I don't have to worry about breaking an idler arm trying to pull it apart from the drag link this winter. Thanks.
p.s. I don't remember seeing 2 bolts on the frame. I remember seeing an empty hole and a bolt below that. I'll have to go home and check it again. Could this be why my idler arm is moving?
-Peter
The idler arm is secured to the frame with two bolts yes, if you only have one then one is missing for sure, if that is the case ( more infor better reccomendations) then I would for sure say this is why your idelr arm is moving (is this the half inch or so you were talking about?)
either way whith the additional info you provided means that yes it is a worse condition than i supposed from the original description and yea I would fix it now or at the very least put a second botl back in
How does the little ball joint look at the drag link? and how does the joint look at the top of the idelr arm?
can you take a pic ?
took this this mornign to give you an idea
Tim
Last edited by sweethence; Jun 28, 2007 at 07:33 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
As others have said, the idler arm is a very easy and fairly quick replacement. I would recommend you purchase the heavy duty one. MOOG used to sell one that came with a grease fitting and it would last almost forever. If you compare it to the stock one you should be able to see the difference.
In most of these vehicles, the first two things I check for when encountering too much play in the steering is the "rag" joint and the idler arm. More often than not, one or the other is bad and they are quick easy fixes before attacking the rest of the suspension. If either of these is bad, it will significantly tighten the steering and allow you to eliminate the easy stuff first.
Good luck... GUSTO
In most of these vehicles, the first two things I check for when encountering too much play in the steering is the "rag" joint and the idler arm. More often than not, one or the other is bad and they are quick easy fixes before attacking the rest of the suspension. If either of these is bad, it will significantly tighten the steering and allow you to eliminate the easy stuff first.
Good luck... GUSTO
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Franklin MA
Hi Tim,
I was mistaken. I do have 2 bolts on the idler arm. Here are some pictures. Like I said, they look pretty ugly.
I think I'll just replace the idler arm now. Hopefully, i won't break it when I take it apart again.
-Peter
I was mistaken. I do have 2 bolts on the idler arm. Here are some pictures. Like I said, they look pretty ugly.
I think I'll just replace the idler arm now. Hopefully, i won't break it when I take it apart again.
-Peter
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Franklin MA
As others have said, the idler arm is a very easy and fairly quick replacement. I would recommend you purchase the heavy duty one. MOOG used to sell one that came with a grease fitting and it would last almost forever. If you compare it to the stock one you should be able to see the difference.
In most of these vehicles, the first two things I check for when encountering too much play in the steering is the "rag" joint and the idler arm. More often than not, one or the other is bad and they are quick easy fixes before attacking the rest of the suspension. If either of these is bad, it will significantly tighten the steering and allow you to eliminate the easy stuff first.
Good luck... GUSTO
In most of these vehicles, the first two things I check for when encountering too much play in the steering is the "rag" joint and the idler arm. More often than not, one or the other is bad and they are quick easy fixes before attacking the rest of the suspension. If either of these is bad, it will significantly tighten the steering and allow you to eliminate the easy stuff first.
Good luck... GUSTO
-Peter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Hey Peter,
you definately have some wear there, I can see why your steering feels a littel loose, not the worst ive seen though. while you're at it consider a set of tie rod ends at the same time,make project ot of it
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Franklin MA
-Peter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Well, my plan was to make a big project out of it this winter and rebuild the whole front end. With the short driving season, I don't want to start the project now. That's why I was wondering if I can take the idler arm apart without breaking it. Thanks for all your help.
-Peter
-Peter
good luck
cheers
