change idler arm?

[kittypancake]

1972 Valiant with slant 6. Do I need to jack up the engine to replace idler arm? It looks like the bolt will not clear oil pump otherwise

 

[mguner]

I'm not sure but maybe. For peace of mind you always want the bolt in from the top just in case you loose the nut... I don't know if this pic will help any especially since the grease is covering the bolt head but the bottom shot is a slant K member.

 

[gyxffyg]

I have a similar situation. My 68 Barracuda needs the idler arm replaced. On mine the bolt inserts from the bottom with the nut on the top next to the engine. I can barely get to it and can only feel the carter key that keeps the nut secure. If I can get the carter key out I should be able to remove the nut and bolt and get it replaced. Does your bolt come in from the top? With all the dirt on that picture above, I can't tell if that is the nut or the bolt head on top.

 

[jcarr210]

I replaced mine on a v8 67 valiant a few months ago and the bolt came in from the bottom. Once the cotter pin was out I believe I used a bunch of extensions and a swivel socket to remove amd tighten the nut. It was such an awkward angle with hardly any room to get to the nut from the bottom.

 

[gyxffyg]

1968 Barracuda Notch. Well I finally got the cotter keys out from each end of my idler arm. Not much room to work so it was not as easy as you might think. Am I going to need one of those "forks" to get the idler arm out of the center link? I don't own one.
Also does the front end need to be off the ground in order to take pressure off?
Thanks

 

[AJ/FormS]

What does this mean? " got the carter keys out from each end of my idler arm."Oh wait, I think I get it.; One from the bolt end and one from the joint end? Silly me.
You know those Cotter keys are pretty soft, right? In hard to access areas, I usually leave them in there and just spin the stuff apart with the airgun, and pop the pin parts out,later.