Solid Brass Idler Arm Bushing Kit!!!!!!!!
Jan 28, 2009 | 07:28 AM
#121
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Abington, PA
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
Jan 28, 2009 | 08:09 AM
#122
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 3
From: Plainfield, IL
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
Jan 28, 2009 | 09:56 AM
#123
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,124
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From: Los Osos, CA (we can't agree on crap!)
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.
Jan 28, 2009 | 11:27 AM
#124
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Abington, PA
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
Jan 28, 2009 | 11:43 AM
#125
Contributing Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,124
Likes: 0
From: Los Osos, CA (we can't agree on crap!)
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.
Jun 17, 2009 | 02:44 PM
#126
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Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,106
Likes: 27
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!
Sep 16, 2011 | 08:03 AM
#127
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: MT
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?
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