The Forward Look Network
The Forward Look Network
Search | Statistics | User Listing Forums | Chat | eBay | Calendars | Albums | Skins | Language
You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]		View previous thread :: View next thread
   Forward Look Technical Discussions -> Steering and SuspensionMessage format
 
oldwood
Posted 2013-04-19 8:32 PM (#370783)
Subject: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth


Expert

Posts: 2905
2000500100100100100
Location: little rock, AR		I just replaced the rubber bushing in my Idler Arm with a TRW ball bearing bushing. Getting the rubber bushing out was easy. The metal sleve was a little more difficult without a press. I had a friend hold the arm while I drove a socket against the sleve to get it out.



(001.JPG)



(002.JPG)



(003.JPG)



(004.JPG)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 001.JPG (98KB - 139 downloads)
Attachments 002.JPG (102KB - 146 downloads)
Attachments 003.JPG (75KB - 159 downloads)
Attachments 004.JPG (122KB - 143 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
jimntempe
Posted 2013-04-19 9:41 PM (#370794 - in reply to #370783)
Subject: RE: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert

Posts: 2312
2000100100100
Location: Arizona

What was the bearing part number??

Top of the page Bottom of the page
oldwood
Posted 2013-04-19 9:43 PM (#370795 - in reply to #370794)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth


Expert

Posts: 2905
2000500100100100100
Location: little rock, AR		I going to my shop tonight to install this part and I'll post the part # when I get back.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
61forfun
Posted 2013-04-19 10:47 PM (#370803 - in reply to #370783)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 466
1001001001002525
Location: Vancouver, Washington		Hey Dorsey get a manicure while your at it...lol...nice job you will notice the difference soon as you get behind the wheel

Edited by 61forfun 2013-04-19 10:51 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
oldwood
Posted 2013-04-19 11:36 PM (#370806 - in reply to #370803)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth


Expert

Posts: 2905
2000500100100100100
Location: little rock, AR		The TRW # is 18564. The collars that are in-serted in the idler arm must recessed enough so when the bearings sit on the collar you can squeeze all of this into the dog ears of the body. You might have to spread the dog ears slightly to make it all fit. On picture # 1 that collar is not recessed enough. Ask me how I know!!!

Edited by oldwood 2013-04-19 11:38 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
polara61
Posted 2013-06-05 4:14 PM (#379195 - in reply to #370783)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 417
100100100100
Location: Bräcke,Sweden		I need to change my idlerarm bushing in the near future. Do you buy them on ebay ?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
crvsir
Posted 2013-06-06 5:03 AM (#379341 - in reply to #370783)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth


Elite Veteran

Posts: 967
5001001001001002525
Location: Canada		I know Rock Auto sells them......
Top of the page Bottom of the page
polara61
Posted 2013-06-06 5:37 AM (#379343 - in reply to #370783)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 417
100100100100
Location: Bräcke,Sweden		Ok, thanks. I'll check them out.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
polara61
Posted 2013-06-07 4:21 AM (#379556 - in reply to #370783)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 417
100100100100
Location: Bräcke,Sweden		Had no luck with Rock Auto but found it at Just Suspension. Idlerarm repair kit 20323.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
1960fury
Posted 2013-07-25 6:54 PM (#387737 - in reply to #379556)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert 5K+

Posts: 7417
50002000100100100100
Location: northern germany		the idler arm is the most overlooked part in suspension systems. those inferior rubber bushings are obsolete since 1960 when the factory switched to the ball bearing design. the factory ball bearing bushing is a big improvement and really tightens the steering but unfortunately they, for some reason, used axial bearings and therefore the bearing case is flimsy sheet metal (idler arms/brackets were designed for rubber bushings and there wasn't more room left for beefier designed axial bearings without changing the frame bracket) they break easily.

another disadvantage is they can be easily squashed when tightening the bolt and therefore the bolt can't be properly tightened and requires a lock plate. not the case with radial bearings, you can tighten the bolt to rubber bushing/factory specs because there is no load on the bearings.

but the biggest disadvantage of axial bearings is they can't be sealed properly from dirt and therefore wear fast and make a real mess.

i rebuild these with heavy duty deep grove radial bearings that are completely sealed away from the elements with an oil/grease resistant rubber seal. these last forever.

i use to offer a rebuild service on ebay just like for the heater valves and center links but found out people are more interested in how their cars look and not how they perform. things that are not glitz and gleam or are not visible at car shows do not sell

Edited by 1960fury 2013-07-25 7:58 PM




(idlerarm1.jpg)



(idlerarm2.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments idlerarm1.jpg (29KB - 145 downloads)
Attachments idlerarm2.jpg (33KB - 147 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
plymouth
Posted 2013-07-25 10:17 PM (#387778 - in reply to #387737)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert

Posts: 2264
20001001002525
Location: McComb, Mississippi		would you happen to have a part number for the seals and bearings? thank you
Top of the page Bottom of the page
1960fury
Posted 2013-08-01 7:55 PM (#388940 - in reply to #387778)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert 5K+

Posts: 7417
50002000100100100100
Location: northern germany		sorry for not answering sooner. my computer crashed. took the fotos long ago, still have a couple of bearings somewhere but you can order bearings in all sizes. you will of course also need a rigid inner sleeve,drilled so the grease can reach the bearings, a bolt drilled and tapped with a grease fitting and appropriate size (about the size of the inner bearing race) washers on both ends (more on the upper end) so it barely fits into the frame bracket.

Edited by 1960fury 2013-08-01 8:05 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
plymouth
Posted 2013-08-01 10:37 PM (#388970 - in reply to #388940)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert

Posts: 2264
20001001002525
Location: McComb, Mississippi		thank you again. Are these Radial ball bearings?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
1960fury
Posted 2013-08-02 8:23 AM (#389025 - in reply to #388970)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert 5K+

Posts: 7417
50002000100100100100
Location: northern germany		yes of course otherwise it wouldn't work. hd deep groove radial ball bearings.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
plymouth
Posted 2013-08-02 8:49 AM (#389032 - in reply to #389025)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert

Posts: 2264
20001001002525
Location: McComb, Mississippi		thanks again. this should really take up a lot of slack in the steering.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
1960fury
Posted 2013-08-02 7:26 PM (#389137 - in reply to #389032)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert 5K+

Posts: 7417
50002000100100100100
Location: northern germany		pm sent
Top of the page Bottom of the page
lonesome mopar
Posted 2013-09-13 6:35 AM (#397346 - in reply to #370783)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 397
100100100252525
Location: Milano, Italy

Could it be interesting my solution to this idler arm bushing weaknesss?

I had a solid cylinder stock of nylon cut the exact lenght between the two brackets on the frame (those that hold the original bushing) and then I had it machined to the size of inner diameter of the arm. Next I drilled a hole in the center of the cylinder, the size of the bolt. What I got is a big nylon bushing tight enough to hold the arm steady and self lubricating.

It is not affected by water, dirt, oil.

Probaly it will outlast the car................



Edited by lonesome mopar 2013-09-13 6:54 AM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
BigBlockMopar
Posted 2013-09-13 7:15 AM (#397348 - in reply to #370783)
Subject: RE: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert

Posts: 3575
20001000500252525
Location: Netherlands		I did pretty much the same on my '57 once.
Made 2 bushings with a collar which went over an inner steel tube to prevent overtightening the bushings.
Nylon bushings or ballbearings really firm up the idler arm in a much needed area as you want the idler arm to move at the exact curve and angle as the pitman arm on the steeringbox does. If not, it will cause sketchy handling/steering and unnecessary tirewear.


Top of the page Bottom of the page
1960fury
Posted 2013-09-19 2:35 PM (#398588 - in reply to #388940)
Subject: Re: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Expert 5K+

Posts: 7417
50002000100100100100
Location: northern germany
1960fury - 2013-08-01 7:55 PM

and appropriate size (about the size of the inner bearing race) washers on both ends (more on the upper end) so it barely fits into the frame bracket.


oops, just returned from under my car lubricating joints. it should be more on the LOWER end. but not really important, no big difference anyway. try to get the idler arm as close as possible to the pitman arm height.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
lonesome mopar
Posted 2013-09-20 12:23 PM (#398747 - in reply to #397348)
Subject: RE: Idler Arm Bushing '61 Plymouth



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 397
100100100252525
Location: Milano, Italy

BigBlockMopar - 2013-09-13 1:15 PM I did pretty much the same on my '57 once. Made 2 bushings with a collar which went over an inner steel tube to prevent overtightening the bushings..........................(...)

 

yes adding the collars is a good idea.

But In my humble opinion, adding the inner steel tube is a bit too perfect.....   :-))  

 

My point of wiew is that the nylon bushing has to remain stationary while the idler arm moves.  

Therefore, the bolt should tighten the nylon against the frame brakets, so that the nylon doesn't rotate.

As matter of fact the nylon doesn't require much torque to get locked, so, some drops of loctite can hold the locking nut in its position even if it is not over tightened.

(provided the nut was washed and cleaned before)

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

* * * This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated * * *


(Delete all cookies set by this site)