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Loose Idler Arm |
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tomj 
AMC Addicted 
Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7544 |
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 Posted: Feb/12/2022 at 10:17pm |
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Well, honestly, it WAS designed to be a ... not bearing, but rubber-bushed pivot. They work surprisingly well, and last what, 50,000 miles? In spite of the issues in this thread I've not had any issues at all with idler arms in my experience.
The Mevotek part is sleeve-rubber-sleeve. Maybe the issue is counterfeit parts, appalling quality of past brands, or aged parts, .... ? The motion is low speed, moves only about 90 degrees max, not particularly precise, and not a lot of force. Edited by tomj - Feb/12/2022 at 10:19pm |
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1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com |
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FSJunkie
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Joined: Jan/09/2011 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4742 |
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Posted: Feb/13/2022 at 10:25pm |
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The one from APD doesn't pivot, either.
Cool. Looks like I get to modify it.
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1955 Packard
1966 Marlin 1972 Wagoneer 1973 Ambassador 1977 Hornet 1982 Concord D/L 1984 Eagle Limited |
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6PakBee
Supporter of TheAMCForum 
Charter Member Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 5457 |
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Posted: Feb/14/2022 at 7:09am |
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I have never replaced an AMC idler (yet). But I have replaced a number of Mopars that are virtually identical. What you have to keep in mind is that the bushing does not 'rotate' per se but distorts/deflects. The correct way to install them is to have the steering in the straight position before you torque the pivot bolt. In this manner the bushing only distorts at the most 45 degrees from a neutral position. I'd bolt the idler to the crossmember without the tie rod attached and just see for yourself how the rubber behaves when you move the idler. You have to keep in mind that this acts just like an upper or lower suspension bushing. Neither of those rotate, only deflect/distort.
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Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler 1970 RWB 4-spd Machine 1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX All project cars. Forum Cockroach |
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Trader
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Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6881 |
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Posted: Apr/27/2022 at 9:35am |
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Did someone find a solution?
I just found mine loose, about 1/16" play in it. Went to buy a new one and Moog K3074 is now obsolete and they made the Delphi TA5927 also. Shipping Amazon from the US would be twice the price of the part. Even Rockauto is now double the price for shipping to Canada, but they have no stock either. I ordered one from e-Bxx, but it won't arrive until June. In the mean time I, cleaned out the old one, mixed Pematex plastic epoxy, loaded a syringe and injected the epoxy into the "tie rod" end, let it set up, heated the ball end with a torch until I could rotate it, let it cool, cleaned out epoxy from the grease fitting and greased it. Seems nice and tight, rotates freely, see how long it will last. When cleaning it, pulled out some black plastic, so likely these have a nylon or other plastic bushing inside from the factory. |
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nickleone
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Joined: Oct/04/2008 Location: westminster co Status: Offline Points: 1441 |
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Posted: Apr/27/2022 at 12:49pm |
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Trader,
I was in the shipping business for 20+ years. There are northern USA Mail and Parcel stores where you can have a Private Mail Box and have packages delivered for a fee. You cross the border and pick up your package and go home. Are you close to US border cities? Nick
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nick
401 71 Gremlin pro rally car sold 390 V8 SX/4 pro rally car sold 1962 Classic SW T5 4 wheel disc brakes |
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Trader
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Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6881 |
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Posted: Apr/27/2022 at 3:35pm |
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About 2 hours away from the boarder and have used those services before.
If your careful shopping, you can find items on e-xxx that are cheaper shipping/brokerage then the price of gas one way. It really depends on timing the boarder crossing been several hours to just a few minutes. Then you get the crossing guard that asks "What's an AMC?" and it can go well or downhill very quickly. Last time I just stated old 70's Jeep parts and there was no "deer in the headlight look" and "Have a good day, off you go."
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MacGyver
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Joined: Jul/10/2018 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 182 |
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Posted: Jun/28/2022 at 10:12pm |
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I'm also curious about "Did someone find a solution?" I finally got my Javelin out of winter storage recently to find the idler arm nut loose!! I replaced the idler arm last year because the ball joint end had a fair bit of play in it, but wasn't really happy about how the new one fit... It seemed wrong when I installed it, but thought that maybe it was "new and improved"?? The steering seemed overly tight after changing the pitman and idler arms... Wouldn't return to center after a turn... Needed to manually correct to center.. Seemed to "break in" after awhile... Steering did get easier after a bunch of miles! So all is okay, right?? Guess not!! After reading this thread, I guess my initial thoughts were correct!! The nut backed off, making the steering easier! Trader: How did your repair of the old idler arm turn out in the end? Thinking about reinstalling the old one myself!! What part did you order online to arrive in June? Have you tried it out?? Good? Bad? Has anyone tried replacing just the bushing with the part number Tom suggested?? That part sure looks like it would function as designed! I'm surprised that this thread has been quiet for so long! It's obviously a real issue!! Mac. |
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You Drive A What?!?
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MacGyver
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Joined: Jul/10/2018 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 182 |
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Posted: Aug/10/2022 at 10:45pm |
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Holy crickets!!!
Everyone's idler arm issues went away??
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You Drive A What?!?
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CamJam
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Joined: Jan/04/2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 6549 |
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Posted: Nov/10/2022 at 1:37pm |
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Mine didn't, but for a different reason. I ordered a Mevotech MS404121 idler arm bushing from Rock Auto for my '73 Javelin. I just went to install it and the bushing center is .63" while my idler arm bracket measures .70". I know these things are press fit into the arm, but shouldn't the bushing just slide over the shaft?
Edited by CamJam - Nov/10/2022 at 2:00pm |
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'73 Javelin 360 (current project)
'72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST '69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD  |
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304-dude
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Joined: Sep/29/2008 Location: Central Illinoi Status: Offline Points: 9082 |
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Posted: Nov/10/2022 at 4:25pm |
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Donno? I sold my good idler arm long ago, and think early idler pins are smaller diameter than 70 on up. Not sure, but there has been discrepancies with various parts interchanges. |
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71 Javelin SST body
390 69 crank, 70 block & heads NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons 78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low 50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension 79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker |
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Trader wrote: