Sloppy Steering in '65 Valiant Manual Box
Went to work removing the idler. At first, it looked like the nut for the end that was "loose/moving" in the K-frame was somewhat inaccessible. It was a little tricky removing the cotter pin there but after that task I found I could fit the box end of a 3/4" combination wrench over the top of the nut. Well the nut was "loose" already and I found I could just spin it off with my fingers. Weird. I found a flat washer under the castle nut.
Then I wondered if that end of the idler would need a pickle fork or not? Well, I pulled on it and it fell on out and down without any struggle at all. Is that normal? I don't know (see photos 1, 2, 4).
Then I removed the cotter pin and castle nut from the other end without a problem (see photo 3). The nut was not "loose" but after only about half a turn I was able to spin it off with my fingers. I did not try to break that end loose because I don't have a pickle fork handy.
Now I don't understand what the problem may be. Did the nut loosen somehow with the cotter pin and castle nut still in place? Did the hole in the K-frame wiggle so much that it is now an "oversize" diameter which makes the idler wiggle around? The end of the idler that fits into the K-frame does not seem to have much of a taper, almost looks like no taper to me. Don't know how it should look in the first place. Now that the threaded end of the idler that fits up into the K-frame is visible, I grabbed it and I did not notice any play/slack for now.
Next step is to find a pickle fork, remove the opposite end, and take it to the bench for closer examination. Maybe the local Autozone lends a pickle fork to customers? Will look into it.
Looks like FirmFeel sells idler arms for 62-66 Abodies. I think a read somewhere that manual and power steering cars share the same part.
Edit: Just to make sure the bracket welded to the K-frame that supports the idler arm was not cracked or broken, I crawled back under the vehicle with a hammer and tapped all around. Seems frame, K-member, and bracket are still pretty solid.
Went to work removing the idler. At first, it looked like the nut for the end that was "loose/moving" in the K-frame was somewhat inaccessible. It was a little tricky removing the cotter pin there but after that task I found I could fit the box end of a 3/4" combination wrench over the top of the nut. Well the nut was "loose" already and I found I could just spin it off with my fingers. Weird. I found a flat washer under the castle nut.
Then I wondered if that end of the idler would need a pickle fork or not? Well, I pulled on it and it fell on out and down without any struggle at all. Is that normal? I don't know (see photos 1, 2, 4).
Then I removed the cotter pin and castle nut from the other end without a problem (see photo 3). The nut was not "loose" but after only about half a turn I was able to spin it off with my fingers. I did not try to break that end loose because I don't have a pickle fork handy.
Now I don't understand what the problem may be. Did the nut loosen somehow with the cotter pin and castle nut still in place? Did the hole in the K-frame wiggle so much that it is now an "oversize" diameter which makes the idler wiggle around? The end of the idler that fits into the K-frame does not seem to have much of a taper, almost looks like no taper to me. Don't know how it should look in the first place. Now that the threaded end of the idler that fits up into the K-frame is visible, I grabbed it and I did not notice any play/slack for now.
Next step is to find a pickle fork, remove the opposite end, and take it to the bench for closer examination. Maybe the local Autozone lends a pickle fork to customers? Will look into it.
Looks like FirmFeel sells idler arms for 62-66 Abodies. I think a read somewhere that manual and power steering cars share the same part.
Edit: Just to make sure the bracket welded to the K-frame that supports the idler arm was not cracked or broken, I crawled back under the vehicle with a hammer and tapped all around. Seems frame, K-member, and bracket are still pretty solid.
