Solid Brass Idler Arm Bushing Kit!!!!!!!!
01-28-2009, 07:28 AM
#121
Registered User
Actually, I hate to say it but you will almost certainly have to buy a new one.
Here's the problem with old arms. They wear more on the bottom than on the top. This means a bushing that fits properly on the bottom of the shaft just won't fit over the top.
We had considered custom machining but decided against it. There are other issues like shipping costs (customer idlers) and warranty support. When you make one-offs it's very expensive no matter what. If you chose to warranty the part, you are again shipping an idler arm for a second time, making a new set.... etc... Heaven forbid if an idler gets lost in transit... To do custom bushings profitably you'd have to charge a lot of money for them. Or, you simply don't offer a warranty at all. Neither is really an optimal solution.
Frank
Here's the problem with old arms. They wear more on the bottom than on the top. This means a bushing that fits properly on the bottom of the shaft just won't fit over the top.
We had considered custom machining but decided against it. There are other issues like shipping costs (customer idlers) and warranty support. When you make one-offs it's very expensive no matter what. If you chose to warranty the part, you are again shipping an idler arm for a second time, making a new set.... etc... Heaven forbid if an idler gets lost in transit... To do custom bushings profitably you'd have to charge a lot of money for them. Or, you simply don't offer a warranty at all. Neither is really an optimal solution.
Frank
01-28-2009, 08:09 AM
#122
Registered User
We are still in the testing phases but when we are done we'll just stock the bushings.
I wish we could speed up the testing but it just plain takes time to rack up miles.
I'm probably 2 months out of having these in stock, maybe a bit longer.
Frank
I wish we could speed up the testing but it just plain takes time to rack up miles.
I'm probably 2 months out of having these in stock, maybe a bit longer.
Frank
01-28-2009, 09:56 AM
#123
Contributing Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Los Osos, CA (we can't agree on crap!)
Posts: 2,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On road, I've been hitting every pothole, dip, and speedbump, to give these an even harder workout on top of just the miles. Offroad, I've been flogging them pretty good.
01-28-2009, 11:27 AM
#124
Registered User
BTW, I found this (not sure if it has been posted before). Mo' pictures = mo betta'
http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/ar....jsp?id=300937
http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/ar....jsp?id=300937
01-28-2009, 11:43 AM
#125
Contributing Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Los Osos, CA (we can't agree on crap!)
Posts: 2,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just an FYI, I'd be careful in useing the part number from that article or the other article that is floating around, as there are different "stock" idler arms with different ID and OD of the shaft and housing. Otherwise the article is great for the rebuild or when you get bronze bushings to install. When you order them make sure they get the parts for your vehicle, better to tell them your year make and model, and let them find the part number. Also, make sure you get two bushings, I wasn't the only one that had the dealership only order me one bushing. They are only used to replacing the whole arm, not rebuilding them.
Anyways, just an FYI, for those who are rebuilding their idler arms.
Anyways, just an FYI, for those who are rebuilding their idler arms.
06-17-2009, 02:44 PM
#126
Registered User
Thread Starter
Yepper!
Has it been more than 2 years and over 10k miles...already? Wow! Good stuff!
Me neither...but the bushings are still there. You really wouldn't want a brass idler arm anyway.
Ahh...at least 1 thread I can be proud of. SUCCESS!
Check ya later folks!
Has it been more than 2 years and over 10k miles...already? Wow! Good stuff!
Ahh...at least 1 thread I can be proud of. SUCCESS!
Check ya later folks!
09-16-2011, 08:03 AM
#127
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MT
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hate to bump and old thread, but, how is this holding up for everyone? My stock idler arm needs a rebuild and I'd rather not keep rebuilding it/buying new ones. I have the stock arm if that matters. Should I rebuild it, or get the 5040 arm, and install the brass bushings?
09-16-2011, 08:12 AM
#128
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I sold my truck about a year after doing the mod. While I owned it it was well worth doing. the truck handled much better. I cant say what the longevity was. But it is a better fix than a new arm.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kirkrunner
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
2
07-27-2015 07:59 PM
