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Amazon idler arm bushing slop

spock345

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Location
Livermore, CA
I have removed the old worn out bushing from my idler arm and am somewhat confused. How exactly does this pivot. The bushing came apart and I found that it turned shockingly easily against the outer metal shell. Perplexingly it also turned against the spindle that mounts to the frame with some slop between the inner core of the bushing and the spindle. Could someone explain whether it is supposed to be this way? I am somewhat afraid the spindle for the idler arm got worn by the inner sleeve of the bushing turning against it with no lubrication.
 
Is it a plain bearing type or bush. They wear quickly.
Rubber bushing. Got a replacement for that on hand. Eventually I'd like to get my hands on one of the all metal setups. I am mostly wondering how it is supposed to fit on the component that mounts to the body. There is a decent amount of slop on mine.
 
Rubber bushing. Got a replacement for that on hand. Eventually I'd like to get my hands on one of the all metal setups. I am mostly wondering how it is supposed to fit on the component that mounts to the body. There is a decent amount of slop on mine.
Tried to see if I had some pics but couldn't find any. The bush just pushes in the idler arm. I'd just get a PU one a try it check them regularly. Quite often folk over tighten them when they wear and causes hard steering.
 
Never could understand the terms idler arm being used for that part. I think the other term is drag link which makes a little sense. Just what is idling about that arm on there?

Once you get that bushing back on there you can really enjoy the steering. I think the old steering systems are under appreciated now with everything being power assisted of some type. Those old zf steering boxes when everything is good and tight have great steering feel and precision. Especially the Porsche 356 version as that doesn't use a drag link setup.
 
Here's a page from 1 of the Volvo green book repair manuals.
I see what is going on. Thanks. The greenbook I had saved on my computer only covered the needle bearing and bronze bushing variants of the part.

Although the phrase "lubricated for life" amuses me given the reputation the newer replacement bushings seem to have.
 
Although the phrase "lubricated for life" amuses me given the reputation the newer replacement bushings seem to have.
First, let's clear up any misunderstanding that "life" ever means infinite life. Under correct application conditions, properly installed and properly maintained, your mounted bearing's life is limited to its L10 life or rating life calculated using industry standards.

What is L10? The L10 life is the number of revolutions or hours that 90 percent of a group of apparently identical bearings will complete or exceed before fatigue is expected to occur. In other words, 10 percent of the group is not expected to achieve the L10 life. The rating life can be calculated in terms of millions of revolutions or hours by using the bearing Basic Dynamic Rating (BDR). BDR is a calculated value, based on the bearing’s geometry, and represents the constant load which 90% of a group of apparently identical bearings can endure for a rating life of 1 million revolutions (33 1/3 rpm for 500 hours).
 
First, let's clear up any misunderstanding that "life" ever means infinite life. Under correct application conditions, properly installed and properly maintained, your mounted bearing's life is limited to its L10 life or rating life calculated using industry standards.

What is L10? The L10 life is the number of revolutions or hours that 90 percent of a group of apparently identical bearings will complete or exceed before fatigue is expected to occur. In other words, 10 percent of the group is not expected to achieve the L10 life. The rating life can be calculated in terms of millions of revolutions or hours by using the bearing Basic Dynamic Rating (BDR). BDR is a calculated value, based on the bearing’s geometry, and represents the constant load which 90% of a group of apparently identical bearings can endure for a rating life of 1 million revolutions (33 1/3 rpm for 500 hours).
I was mostly making a joke regarding the lackluster reputations that most of the modern replacement parts for that application have as far as longevity goes. It seems to be a similar story with most aftermarket rubber parts for these cars. This is why I find the all metal parts more appealing. I can deal with sticking a grease gun on it every so often if that means I don't have to go find a press to replace the bushing whenever the weak aftermarket rubber decides to give out.
 
Never could understand the terms idler arm being used for that part. I think the other term is drag link which makes a little sense. Just what is idling about that arm on there?

.
The drag link is the rod that connects the steering box the the idler (because it is dragged along). The idler is called that because it does not do the work, the steering box does the work and the idler just get dragged along for the ride
 
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