Idler arm help

[68 Coronet RT]

I had to remove my pitman arm and idler arm in order to drop my oil pan because of a leak. Got the pan re installed but having issues with the idler arm. When I took it apart there was two pieces of foam on each end of the idler arm and two steel washers. The issues I'm having is I can get the top washer in and no way in hell can I get the bottom washer in if that's where it goes between the bracket. I don't remember if both washers go between the bracket does anyone have a illustration on how it goes back together ? My service manual does not show where to put the washers. The car is a 68 Dart GTS 340 w/power steering.

 

[charliec]

I just saw your post, so I don't know if you've gotten your question answered some other way by now. Here are some photos that might be of some help. One is from my 68 Dart before I disassembled...Problem is that it was 18 years ago, and I don't remember exactly what was in there. But, looking at the photo I don't see a space for a steel washer anywhere. I know there were felt washers on the inside of the bracket (top and bottom) that were just to keep trash out. I cut circular pieces of leather and punched them to replace those felts. The other photo is from my Shop Manual. It is not very detailed, as it doesn't show a washer in the stack-up of parts. If you look real close, it does look like there is a component in the stack-up just under the upper bracket ear that could be a felt washer????

By the way, I'm having much the same issue with assembling my steering linkage. I'm using all '73 Duster parts, so it's a little different. But, I also have a question about where to put a steel washer that I had labeled for this application. No way it's going to fit inside between the bracket ears.

Please let me know how you resolved this, because I will likely follow whatever you figured out.

 

[68 Coronet RT]

I have a service manual but it really doesn't show how it goes together. I did figure it out though. Both washers do go between the bracket. There was no way in hell I could get the bottom washer in so I checked the thickness of the original washer and went and bought a grade 8 washer 20 thou thinner and she went right together. I did bend the bottom part of the bracket down a little until I got it assembled then tapped it back up. Since I had to drop the steering suspension I went ahead and replaced my tie rod ends dust boots as they saw better days and they actually were the original boots.