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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406
Location: Hilltown, PA |
So after reading about 42 bazillion posts about idler arms, kits, bushings, and whatever, I've decided I should update my floppy idler arm with a bearing kit.
Unfortunately I can't seem to locate one at a reasonable price - or at all.
Several vendors list one that is essentially a RareParts kit with a prefix number, but no availability is listed.
Even Amazon shows an estimated ship date of 1 to 2 MONTHS . . .
So....
Anybody got a source, or one to sell?
I really don't want to put another rubber bushing in it, just to have to do it again . . . and again . . .
Gregg
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 6498
Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | http://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-62-Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Idler-Arm-R... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406
Location: Hilltown, PA |
Yes, I did see that one. Is that an acceptable replacement for the bearing & sleeve type?
Gregg |
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Expert
Posts: 3774
Location: NorCal |
I don't see that E-bay offering as being an improvement on the original, I'd hold out for a ball-bearing kit like the Moog K-258A. They show up on E-bay occasionally. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| those are just as good as ball bearing, a little overpriced but hey. They wont crack or anything and you couldn't tell the difference if you tried.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | Here's an Idler Arm Bearing Kit for sale on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Mopar-1960-62-Idler-Arm-Bearing-Kit-/32...
I think it's what a lot of people are using.
That said, I installed a similar kit on my '59 Windsor recently and the upper bearing failed after less than 500 miles. Not sure why it failed. Maybe it was defective or maybe I did something wrong in the installation. The kit I bought was an off-brand that I had never heard of, but it looked like the same parts. For now, I am back to using a rubber bushing, but soon I will try something different.
The solid kit from PST looks interesting. I've never seen that style. It doesn't really say what material it is, could be poly I suppose. The weird thing is they claim to have several sets in stock, but the photo sure looks like a used part.
Edited by Greg P. 2017-08-10 4:35 PM
(Idler Arm Bearing Kit.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- Idler Arm Bearing Kit.jpg (81KB - 246 downloads)
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7393
Location: northern germany | Greg P. - 2017-08-10 4:26 PM
That said, I installed a similar kit on my '59 Windsor recently and the upper bearing failed after less than 500 miles. Not sure why it failed.
that can very easily happen, as i explained in another idler arm thread.
1. the idler arm and frame bracked wasn't designed for ball bearings, giving very little room for axial bearings, thats why the oe part/replacement kit uses tiny, fragile ball bearings.
2. the axial bearings can't be properly sealed against dirt and water.
3. instalation is tricky since you can't realy tighten the attaching bolt, hence the lock plate in the kit. if you overtighten it (very easily done) the tiny ball bearings don't last.
(that said, its still a lot better than a rubber bushing)
all that is fixed with my kit. bigger, heavy duty RADIAL bearings with seals and impossible to overtighten. these last forever. mine is still like new after 100+k miles.
yours is on the way, mailed it today.
Edited by 1960fury 2017-08-10 6:39 PM
(idlerarm1.jpg)
(idlerarm2.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- idlerarm1.jpg (29KB - 251 downloads) idlerarm2.jpg (33KB - 245 downloads)
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 6498
Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | DODGE Outer Tie Rod Ends Inner Tie Rod Ends Idler Arm Idler Arm Kit More Parts
1955-58 8 cyl $34.95 $54.95 $89.70 $28.40 drag link $245.00 ex.
1957-61 full sized $36.95 $42.95 $72.70 $29.40 drag link $245.00 ex.
1962-69 except Coronet & Charger $36.95 $36.95 $72.70 $32.40 pitman arm $139.00
1965-69 Coronet & Charger $29.95 $29.95 $67.70 pitman arm $139.00
1961 Lancer $36.95 $36.95 special order $29.40 pitman arm $139.00
1962 Lancer $29.95 $29.95 $72.70 pitman arm $139.00
1960-61 Dart $36.95 $42.95 $72.70 $29.40 drag link $245.00 ex.
http://www.vapinc.com/mopar/Steering%20Parts/main.html |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406
Location: Hilltown, PA |
Lots of help . . .thank you everyone
Greg P - I saw the item you posted, my concerns are they don't know if the kit is complete (it looks OK), there seems to be some significant rust on at least one of the bearings (bad) and they want $85 for it. I'd pay that for a good clean complete kit at this point, but not a gamble like that. I could put 4 bushings in for 85 bucks . . .
Also it looks like we're close - did you make it to Macungie? I went Saturday with my fiancé, first time there.
1960 Fury - sent you a PM
mstruq - I did find that vendor, and after looking at their website I believe I sent them an email asking if they had bushings or bearing kits, and have not heard back. Thank you though.
Again, thanks for all the input guys
Gregg |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | LostDeere59 - 2017-08-10 10:38 PM
Lots of help . . .thank you everyone
Greg P - I saw the item you posted, my concerns are they don't know if the kit is complete (it looks OK), there seems to be some significant rust on at least one of the bearings (bad) and they want $85 for it. I'd pay that for a good clean complete kit at this point, but not a gamble like that. I could put 4 bushings in for 85 bucks . . .
Also it looks like we're close - did you make it to Macungie? I went Saturday with my fiancé, first time there.
The kits looks complete but I agree that it is too expensive and may not be in great condition. I've seen them for a lot less. Also, my experience was not good using the kit. 1960 Fury is correct that the design of the kit with the tiny bearings makes it not very robust.
I ordered a new (improved design) kit from 1960 Fury. It looks to me like this is the best possible solution. I'm looking forward to receiving it and installing it. I'll give a full report when I do.
Gregg, I'm not far from you. I had hoped to make it to Macungie last weekend but other issues came up and I didn't make it. I'm glad you went. It's a great show.
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Regular
Posts: 68
Location: Stockholm Sweden | Hi 1960fury, I wonder if you still offer/make these idler arm bushings, my present bushing needs to be replaced,has some slack.
I´ve got a new but old rubber NOS bushing by HARRIS (yet sold to me as MOOG K-788) but wouldn´t use it after I read your comments/statement in another thread
Thanks, Johan
(Idler arm.jpg)
(Idler arm bushing HARRIS.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- Idler arm.jpg (125KB - 205 downloads) Idler arm bushing HARRIS.jpg (68KB - 211 downloads)
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13045
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | The rubber bushings will last for a long time even if the bearing type is a better alternative.
I use the Ranco kit which is a kit consisting of different plastic bushings - maintenace free and still good after 10 years.
Herman made his own out of plastic, drawing below
(IdlerArmBushing.jpg)
(IMG_3955-rez.jpg)
(Jamco_1-rez.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- IdlerArmBushing.jpg (46KB - 198 downloads) IMG_3955-rez.jpg (102KB - 204 downloads) Jamco_1-rez.jpg (72KB - 204 downloads)
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Regular
Posts: 68
Location: Stockholm Sweden | Sven, I wish I had the tools to make it, yet I lack the skills I would have given it a try, learning from trials and errors.
Anyway spring/summer is approaching so I´ll try to reach for 1960fury´s option |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 397
Location: Milano, Italy | Just stumbled upon this thread and saw a problem which I solved decades ago.
I solved this by machining two pieces of Nylon stock (not plastic) and fit them over the idler arm the way Wizard is showing above.
Nylon don't need lubrication.
It is Still there after decades without any considerable play.
Hope this could help along with all other posts.
:-)) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | I bought the bearing kit from 1960fury last August and I'm very pleased with it. If he's still selling the kits, I'd highly recommend getting one. Here's some pics of my kit and installation.
Edited by Greg P. 2018-04-03 8:02 PM
(Idler Arm Bearing Kit Contents.jpg)
(1 Pressing in the bearings.jpg)
(2 Bearing in Place.jpg)
(3 Sleeve Installed.jpg)
(4 Installing the 2nd Bearing.jpg)
(5 Dust Boots in Place.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- Idler Arm Bearing Kit Contents.jpg (37KB - 222 downloads) 1 Pressing in the bearings.jpg (77KB - 214 downloads) 2 Bearing in Place.jpg (88KB - 215 downloads) 3 Sleeve Installed.jpg (75KB - 215 downloads) 4 Installing the 2nd Bearing.jpg (63KB - 222 downloads) 5 Dust Boots in Place.jpg (43KB - 208 downloads)
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