Idler Arm Bushings

[granth]

What’s the best way to test the idler arm bushings? Would like to change them while the motor is out if required. If they need to be replaced what is the best way to get them out and the new ones in, any tricks?

Thanks

grant

[pkbinplano]

You mean control arm bushings ? Look for dried / loose bushings. remove and drill out rubber then use socket to beat out the rest. Have to make a press to re install. But one things leads to another. If new control arm bushings are needed, most likely other stuff is needed also. Tie rods, center link, ball joints etc etc. Also look carefully check control arms for cracks, and bent areas. Check the mounting bolts too.

[Mike Self]

(nt)

[BillWilliams]

Remove the cotter pin, the castle nut and cap. Turn the castle nut over and thread onto the threaded idler arm. Whack it until the idler arm falls out. If you are living right, the lower bushing will fall out with it.

Use a punch to punch out the top one and the bottom one if it did not fall out.

Make sure you get the metal sleeves off of the idler arm, it almost appears it should stay on there. Also, the blue plastic does stay on the new ones when they are installed.

If the metal sleeve is stuck on the pitman arm like mine was, use the tried and true formula, soak in a good rust braker upper, heat and whack. Get the plastic sleeve off prior to heat.

I used either channel locks or vice grips to twist the sleeve off.

[munchytii]

My castle nut is frozen ....hahaha

Seriously, the castle nut is frozen into my idler arm thread. I took the cotter pin out and tried to turn the nut and it would not move at all, and if I tried any harder I might strip the nut. The intention was to place hypoid or gear oil into the idler arm internals. Would you suggest placing gear oil into the idler arm???? Will it leak out??? Great pics!!!

[BillWilliams]

Soak in a good penetrant (PB Blaster, Turn-It or several other good products) for a day or two applying several times

Heat it up real hot

Whack around the stuck nut or bolt while it is still hot

Then turn it while it is still hot

What you are trying to do is break the bond between the rust and the rust.

There are three ways to do this, chemically, heat and shock. This recipe gives you all three.

[granth]

If they are original replace them

How do you tell if they are the stock units from the factory? What would be the method to test them to tell if thay are any good?

Thanks for the pictures and methods to remove and replace!

grant

[jgerry2002]

Just replace them, the slightest "visual" wear is actually pretty major. I replaced the ones on my tii (they looked ok, a little wear), but the new ones were MUCH tighter. It really tightened the steering up. I used a socket as a drift to get the old bushings out. Not too difficult.... at least on my car.