idler arm bracket

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Dave NEO

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('68 barracuda 383) found wheel loose and idler arm was primary source - anyway took off the old and notice the PO had not installed the washer called for at the lower end of bracket. Tried to fit new with washer (it's a thick one maybe1/8) but no way was going to fit with the idler arm in the bracket - appears it got bent over the years or PO wreched to specs w/o washer and bent the lower end of bracket - put the thing on for now and seems to function OK but I'm wondering if any one has had similar experience and was able to bend lower end of bracket for more clearance. Was thinking of using old bolt and a couple of nuts and with some pipe for leverage to open bracket up a bit. Comments appreciated. Seems to want to drift to that side now..maybe too tight?
 
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The tabs on the frame have to clamp against the INNER metal tube on the idler arm for it to work properly. So the washers have to sit between the frame and inner metal tube. The bearing sleeve is between the tube and the idler arm. Many of the new cheap ones have loose sleeves from the factory. I always clamp the inner tube in a vise, then see how much movement i get at the other end of the idler arm. Ideally there will be no movement, but the arm will swing ok. Any play will allow the right front wheel to move back and forth, left and right, while the driver side wheel points straight ahead.
 
OMG, click a pic! Hard to envision what your describing without owning a 68 or its first year steering setup. So Im reading it is a [ shaped bracket and the idler nests inside this [ and there was a time where there was a washer between the [ and the idler and now the [ has collapsed because he did not use the washer....I'd bend it and correct it. IIRC The washer does not provide support as the internal tube most likely gets beared down on when the bolts are tightened. Does this look to be the case? I had an idler in a MAzda that had a fiber washer in it as your describing and that was only there as a dust shield as the internal sleeve took the load of the mounting bolt and nut.
 
72 Dart has a similar set up. Large end of idler arm is clamped between the 2 tabs on the K member.
 
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