Idler Arm

[clar2001]

I replaced my Idler arm now my stearing is very tight almost hard to turn is this normal,now it's so tight I can fell the play in the steering box(is on the list to replace anyway)the car drove nice before the front was a little lose so I am trying to tighten things up ..but should it be this tight ......??????????????

 

[cntrhub]

Well, if that's all you replaced, then logic would assume that the idler arm is binding somehow? I'd simply remove the relay rod from the idler arm and now move the idler's arm and see if it's a bear to move? If it is, then that's your problem. Get it a new one and show the counter person the difference with another one. You might have a faulty idler arm out of the box.

 

[clar2001]

I thing so I tryed to move it before I put it on and I could hardley move it in the vice the old one was stiff but you could move it ...

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

What make is the arm?

Dave

 

[clar2001]

I'm not sure of the make just generic from ecklers, I replaced it agin and now every thing is ok, I had the new bad Idler arm sitting around for a couple months so I can't return it.I have more problems with parts lattely .

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Hi: The reason that I asked about the make of idler is that some of the manufactures make 'em real tight. I put a new front end (steering) on a car once & it was so tight that it was hard to align. The alignment was close, so I drove it for awhile & all of it loosened up a bit & everything was all right after that. The parts I used were made by MOOG. I asked them about the tightness when first put on & they told me that they do this purposely & called it "memory steer". I also greased the he** out of all of the linkage parts & it really helped. Glad to hear that you got the problem worked out.

Dave