So, I decided I would play mechanic tonight and change the bushings and grease seal on my idler arm. I ordered the parts from advance and got the seal from toyota. All three parts were for a 1988 4Runner. They look like the stuff on this page:
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/idler/

But alas, my idler arm was completely different! I took it off and had a heck of a time getting it back together. When I tried to spin that large nut the whole shaft would just spin! Here are some pictures, can someone please ID this for me?



What the heck is this thing?

Anyways... that means that I now have two brand new idler arm bushings and an idler arm grease seal for sale $10 shipped. I'll post this in the classifieds.

 

That's a Moog idler arm. No rebuildable. I'm thinking seriously about buying those parts your tryin' to sell there, ends up I'm needing them due to a purchase of some that don't fit mine. Sorry, I didn't get back to ya about the ball joint (only have 1), I figure with my luck I'll eventually need it.

It's this one, right?

 

A moog idler arm? So why is it on my 4Runner, and why would my factory service manual indicate that I have the other kind?

BTW, my dad's 87 4Runner has the moog one too...

 

Perplexing. I have no idea. I do know where to buy them new. They're readily available after-market, and it's not the first case that I've heard of one being mysteriously on a 4Runner. I had that pic stored from a previous thread of the same nature. He was wondering who/what/where/why, too. I seriously doubt that they came from Toyota that way.

 

That's so weird... so should I be happy that I have this moog thing?

Thanks for all the info, MH. Can you share where you find these things new?

 

Here.

http://rockauto.com/

But, for the same price you can get one that you can rebuild in the future, with the parts you have there. The Spicer, Beck/Arnley or the AC Delco are nearly identical to stock.

 

its an aftermarket idler arm, thats why.

It did not come from the factory on your truck, it was previously replaced. The only way to use your kit you bought is A. Pickup a used factory one from a wrecking yard or B. Buy a new one, and drive it until it wears out heh.

Option A. sounds better suited to your situation.

 

I think I'll just hang on to this moog one, it's been doing it's job.