Idler Arm hitting exhaust?

-
DaveS

DaveS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2016
Messages
52
Reaction score
2
Location
The Netherlands
Hi guys

after driving for a while in my car i heard what seemed like my exhaust gasket was leaking (just changed it couple weeks ago)

after looking/hearing around the passenger side manifold (where the gasket leak was)

i noticed it came from under the car..

after further inspection i saw that my idler arm is rubbing against my exhaust tube! and that the grease nipple of my idler arm had rubbed a slit in my exhaust pipe!

i have a rough understanding of the suspension on these cars, but how on earth is it possible for this to happen??!
 
Hey **** HAPPENS !! Maybe your torsion bars are weak, maybe they were backed down to lower the stance. Could be the wrong exhaust system. Just a couple ideas.
 
Check motor mounts, engine could be lower due to wear. Exhaust system may
have not made correctly. Worst case turn the wheel so you can grease the idler
arm then remove the zerk fitting and plug the hole until its time to grease again.
 
my buddy who has a shop said he will adjust the exhaust pipe for more clearance, we're gonna take a look at it tomorrow.

i will post a pic tomorrow
 
We looked today. it looks like the idler arm is too short?

20180512_114046.jpg
20180512_114059.jpg
20180512_115744.jpg


it causes the idler arm to hit the exhaust like this:

20180512_115750.jpg
20180512_115756.jpg


the idler arm is a MOOG K7086, and is about 1 1/2 year old.
 
**** can that bell housing bracket so you have more room.
Those brackets are the 1st thing I remove...after the 13" rims and 7 1/4 rear.
 
What year is your car? What car do you have? I think that part number is for a 73+ A body.
 
DaveS said:
Hi guys

after driving for a while in my car i heard what seemed like my exhaust gasket was leaking (just changed it couple weeks ago)

after looking/hearing around the passenger side manifold (where the gasket leak was)

i noticed it came from under the car..

after further inspection i saw that my idler arm is rubbing against my exhaust tube! and that the grease nipple of my idler arm had rubbed a slit in my exhaust pipe!

i have a rough understanding of the suspension on these cars, but how on earth is it possible for this to happen??!
Click to expand...
The pipe was custom made and is not correct. It should be more inboard and up further closer to the bell housing brace.
 
Tom Swope said:
The pipe was custom made and is not correct. It should be more inboard and up further closer to the bell housing brace.
Click to expand...

The idler arm is positioned incorrectly as mentioned above. It holds the arm up to high. I suspect the car probably bump steers pretty good.

It may be the wrong part or you need to adjust the mounting bracket as recommended in the Mopar Chassis Bible.
 
Go get another pitman arm to compare. I also think it's wrong.
Parts often get put in wrong boxes after buyers open and dump them all on the bench, pick the one they need, then try to remember which box is correct, (and sometimes which is cheaper).
 
Get an idler arm for a 68-69 dart, you have t bars and older style suspension...right?
If that is a 73 n up idler....that's the problem.
Think about it... if you brought the pitman up to match... it will hit the pan.

'68 top pic vs '73 bottom pic

idler.jpg


shopping.jpg
 
Last edited:
MOPAROFFICIAL said:
Get an idler arm for a 68-69 dart, you have t bars and older style suspension...right?
If that is a 73 n up idler....that's the problem.
Think about it... if you brought the pitman up to match... it will hit the pan.

'68 top pic vs '73 bottom pic

View attachment 1715194490

View attachment 1715194491
Click to expand...
Totally incorrect information. You can not just slap a 72 down arm on a 73 up drag link like the OP has. The taper is wrong in drag link also. All he needs is the correct 73 up idler arm.
 
replicaracer43 said:
Totally incorrect information. You can not just slap a 72 down arm on a 73 up drag link like the OP has. The taper is wrong in drag link also. All he needs is the correct 73 up idler arm.
Click to expand...
How many 73 a body idler arms are there.
He needs the correct idler arm, whichever that may be.
 
RAT ROD AL said:
Hey **** HAPPENS !! Maybe your torsion bars are weak, maybe they were backed down to lower the stance. Could be the wrong exhaust system. Just a couple ideas.
Click to expand...
Soft suspension would not allow the header to hit the drag link, they are both fixed. There are all kinds of tolerances stacked up on a Mopars unibody. Remove the zerk fitting ding it and weld up the header pipe. Also get the proper drag link if its not the correct year. 'Quick Steer' brand K7086 (Moog part too) : see how the top is flush and the bar attaches to the bottom? specs to 73-74 Duster 318. $6 on Rock...Bingo.

EQC_K7086_P01_BAC__ra_p.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top