Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

[Steve L.]

Is there any restoration proceedures for this arm. There are no grease fittings at either ends.

I see some hints of old grease under the boot at the frame end. How do you grease these ends?

[Joe L.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

Is there any restoration proceedures for this arm. There are no grease fittings at either ends.

I see some hints of old grease under the boot at the frame end. How do you grease these ends?

Steve------



There is no way to service an original-type idler arm. They can only be disassembled destructively. At the moment, my recollection is that there are no zerk fittings or, even, provisions for the installation of fittings on original arms. So, when one goes bad, it's dead.

[Steve L.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

Thanks Joe,
This is an original. There is no provisions for zerks. This one doesn't have any play.

I'll just bead blast and put it back in.

It looks like there is a small amount of black paint left. This makes me suspect that the entire linkage must have been painted black contrary to some opinions that the finish should be natural?

[Alan D.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

Steve, check out corvetteusa.com know they came out with one for the C2's that looks nice.

And yes mine was (& is) black and was that way when I purchased car in Aug 67 (It's a 64 that was traced back to original owner) I did loose a point on it.

[John H.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

It looks like there is a small amount of black paint left. This makes me suspect that the entire linkage must have been painted black contrary to some opinions that the finish should be natural?

Steve -

The complete midyear steering linkage was painted with the sticky "chassis black" paint after assembly at Chevrolet-Buffalo.

[Joe L.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

Thanks Joe,
This is an original. There is no provisions for zerks. This one doesn't have any play.

I'll just bead blast and put it back in.

It looks like there is a small amount of black paint left. This makes me suspect that the entire linkage must have been painted black contrary to some opinions that the finish should be natural?

Steve------


It might be ok and it might not. With these idler arms, they have to be REALLY bad before you'll notice any sort of problem by manual examination.

[Terry M.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

Steve -

The complete midyear steering linkage was painted with the sticky "chassis black" paint after assembly at Chevrolet-Buffalo.

I was told by that guy who used to live in Frankenmuth that C3 (at least 1968-1972. That was all I asked about) steering linkage got the same treatment.

[John H.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

I was told by that guy who used to live in Frankenmuth that C3 (at least 1968-1972. That was all I asked about) steering linkage got the same treatment.

Terry -

I would agree, but I limited my comment to midyears as I'm not familiar with that level of detail on C3's; I watched the process at Buffalo in 1967, which they said had been in place for many years.

[Joe L.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

Terry -

I would agree, but I limited my comment to midyears as I'm not familiar with that level of detail on C3's; I watched the process at Buffalo in 1967, which they said had been in place for many years.

John and Terry------



Actually, I think the process was the same right through 1982.

[Terry M.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

John and Terry------



Actually, I think the process was the same right through 1982.

And I too believed that coating continued through the C3 years, but like John I limited my comments to the years I was sure about.

[Rich P.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

It is possible to get some lube into these old arms...

when the rubber boot is removed from the vertical arm to lever, you will notice a nylon bushing in the joint. if you look closely the bushing has 4 slots that run down to the socket(I think its 4 it has been a few years since I have done one) I have lubed this in 2 ways. First I simply used some liquid lube in a squirt bottle and shot the lube into the 4 slots while rotating the arm, you notice a marked difference in the force to turn the arm. Second I have used wheel bearing grease mixed with lube to thin it out and packed the arm while rotating the lever.

Also with some sucess I have done the same on the ball stud end. I use a feeler gauge and put that between the nylon socket and stud and squirted lube in between while rotating the stud.

Rich

[Steve L.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

Thanks Rich,
I was looking at this in more detail last night and noticed the plastic parts with the indents you mentioned.

I'll try out your technique this wkend

[Steve L.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

BTW, the ball end of this assy, has a large plastic washer on the tapered stud.

I was surprised to see it there.

[Joe L.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

BTW, the ball end of this assy, has a large plastic washer on the tapered stud.

I was surprised to see it there.

Steve------


It's GM #3793578. There should also be a seal of GM #3744796. Both are discontinued, though.

[Steve L.]

Re: Idler Arm on Steering linkage restoration

Steve------


It's GM #3793578. There should also be a seal of GM #3744796. Both are discontinued, though.

Joe,
GM #3744796, lists this as 5/8 id x 1 OD x 1/4 thk. I didn't see anything that looks like this when I took it apart. Is this located over or under the plastic washer? I haven't cleaned the relay rod yet, so maybe it's stuck on that. I'll check tonight.

Paragon doesn't mention this.
Dr Rebuild has a seal, their number 6200263, Item C page 149 but I can't tell from their picture, if it's a seal or the plastic washer.