Idler Arm Failure

Here is what was found inside this moog idler after cutting off the rolled over lip holding on the top plate on the drag link end of this part. Note the "Poly gusher bearing" is nothing more than a plastic washer under the top plate with three slots in it for the grease to flow around from the flat top of the pivot stud. The nasty shredded black part that looks like dried up grease is actually what's left of the other plastic part that the pivot stud rested on. It was most likely some stiff elastomer part designed to keep the parts tight inside. It perhaps disentigrated from excessive heat generated by the exhaust headers. Ole Cooter would have said "what you've got is one dried out busted bearing and that will be $500.00 to get'er fixed."

Some folks might call this a ball and socket design but it is definitely designed to rotate rather than swivel side to side hence the flat on top of the part. Surprisingly no spring inside to take up the slack. Looks more like a tapered shaft bearing than a ball and socket. All I know is no matter what you call it when they get loose there goes the toe setting and the edges of your tires.

So 7,500 miles and my chinese plastic bearings let loose. Was it due to poor lubrication, heat, inferior design or all of the above?