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Idler arm assembly

Tiny
NEIL2002CIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 1963 CHEVROLET NOVA
  • 4.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
Hi, I have owned this car for forty years and it has always gone through the idler arm bushing on the frame end not the drag link end. The long bolt I have read 40 lbs for torque specs. Can you confirm that to be correct? Is there maybe a smooth washer that goes between the upper frame bracket witch is cast and rough. I can't afford the upgrade to the bearing kits. Any suggestions from the older guys who may have done one before synthetic grease etc.

1963 Nova SS
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Saturday, June 15th, 2019 AT 10:30 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
Welcome back. The 1963 with the first style drag link wasn't the best designed part. Even if you grease it daily it still wears poorly because the grease doesn't get into the actual contact points. The 40 lb sounds correct for the replacements that use the shoulder bolt. There is a washer between the nut and the bracket normally. The bearing kits replace the bushing with a couple spacers and some thrust bearings. They are not a bad solution, GM Classics kit is around $100.00 and you likely wouldn't need to mess with it again. As far as which grease to use, a modern extreme pressure grease with moly in it would be my choice.
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Sunday, June 16th, 2019 AT 4:02 AM
Tiny
NEIL2002CIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 119 POSTS
Thanks for the suggestion. Moneys tight so only needing only the one frame bushing drag link is good. I will go that way car for now car is driven 500-1000 miles a year. Yes GM classics has the best price also there kit does both idler and drag link in one kit for the same price others charge double for. I was hesitant with the bearing kit I have seen the instructions on line and although it doesn't mention having to be pressed in I would guess pressing of some sort is needed. Do you know what is involved with the change over? Have a great day. Thanks, Neil
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Sunday, June 16th, 2019 AT 4:52 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
Their kit is pretty much a bolt in set up. The hardest part is getting the old bushing out of the idler arm. A hammer and vice can do that.
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Sunday, June 16th, 2019 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
NEIL2002CIVIC
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  • 119 POSTS
Thanks Steve just to verify I don't need a press to install the bearing kit on either end (idler and drag link)? If so I was told wrong then in the past I may just put the arm in with the bushing for now because of money and the bushings already installed besides that I just had major back surgery 25 years bent over cars took it's toll and i'm limited to what I can and can not do I like to do my own work still if you know what I mean. Just to throw this by you I know about the washer on top by the castle nut What if I put a washer between the bushing and bracket (provided it sits flat so to ease the friction factor the washer being smooth vs the cast of the bracket? Grease also may last longer also. Although I did not say it yes this is a piss poor design. This was the improved design or the 62 year lol. Thanks for your time and advice it is much appreciated Don't take this wrong take it as as a compliment you must be an older person lol or are into old cars most techs/people I explained this issue to are just clueless. Neil
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Sunday, June 16th, 2019 AT 4:05 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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I understand all too well about the back pain. I don't think a washer would help much as the bushing is designed so the shoulder of the bolt applies a slight preload once it's torqued in place. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it though, not like it would be hard to remove. You might even look at a teflon washer as you're not using it as a daily driver.
The reason I say you don't need a press is that any of those style kits that I have used (more or less the same idler arm design as many of the earlier GMs from the 50's and up) could be put together in a bench vice or even using just a good bolt to pull the parts together. Even easier if you heat the eye on the arm and store the insert parts in the freezer overnight. Not really that old (unless you ask my wife) just grew up and worked on a lot of "vintage" vehicles over the years. From the years when you could tell make, year, model just from the shape of the car.
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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 1:15 AM
Tiny
NEIL2002CIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 119 POSTS
Thanks I know I mentioned I own the car 40 years you might appreciate this I bought the car in 1980 it was my 1st car I bought it from the original owner for $575 It's a 1963 Nova SS the real deal I have 1 paper left to the original owner 12-12-62 about the the car going into production so it makes it an early SS The owner worked in the Norwood Ohio plant where it was built and yes saw it down the assembly line. If I knew what I had back then I would have tucked it away. But needless to say it made it through my youth some how lol but if that car could talk many parties back in the day! I still drive it every weekend weather permitting. Thanks for the help Neil
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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 7:18 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Sounds like a great car to save. My father was always telling me about cars he owned and how they would smash them for fun or roll them down the hills behind the farm. Cars like Cords and Studebakers, Model As, at that time they were all just cheap used cars.
You are welcome. Keep those classics on the road.
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Thursday, June 20th, 2019 AT 12:32 PM

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