does it ever end?

[sw]

vsicks is gonna love this

 

 

stupid front end

 

dec 05 it copped a new centre link (genuine), a new idler arm (pedders), 4 new tie rod ends (wasp) and my idler arm brace.

 

in the short space of less than 6 months ive blown 2 tie rod ends and now i find the stupid $145 new idler arm is stuffed as wel.....

 

i ripped the arm apart to see what was wrong. NOT very impressed with what i saw. basically 2 metal bits, 2 plastic bushes, a washer and a nut. i have found that the plastic bushes are hammered and are sloppy as.

 

so i grabbed my old original idler arm, the one which the new arm replaced, pulled it apart to find basically the same thing other than the nissan arm has a seal on each end. i guess that why its last MUCH, MUCH longer. so i ve ordered 2 new bushes from nissan and im gonna hope for the best.

 

i also found that the bushes in the new arm ae ALOT sloppier than the original arm bush. what gives - a six month old part more stuffed than an 18 year old part.

 

basically ive wasted $145.

 

attached is the new arm

[sw]

this is the old arm

[RedPath88]

Have you looked into replacing the bushings with bearings?

 

Just an idea

[94extreme]

they also have brass bushing replacement at AC i think. partailly why it's a good idea to get L&P steering. it solves that problem and all for U$250 + shipping to AU.

[sw]

had thought about brass bushings.

 

i might take down all the details of my new bushes, which ive already ordered, so ive got all the dimensions if i wanna knock up so brass ones instead.

 

as for ac, im not getting anything from the u.s.

[RedPath88]

What about a ball bearing replacement

[sw]

have you done this?

[RedPath88]

No not myself, but in the US we have access to companies that produce just about any bearing you could need. Both sealed (several ways) and unsealed. A quality ball bearing would allow for smoother operation and likely give a much longer wear life.

 

Perhaps you have access to a company that can provide a suitable replacement?

 

Cost may be an issue though... but compared to the 6 months that your repllacement lasted.. maybe some additional cost is worth it

[sw]

good idea

 

gonna try the genuine nissan bushes first, then i would go some brass ones if they crapped out quick smart.

[88pathoffroad]

As far as I've seen, there's no room for bearings in the idler arm. Not enough surface area. Brass bushings would be an improvement but will have to be custom-machined.

[Precise1]

they also have brass bushing replacement at AC

 

WOW, I had NO idea that they were plasic !! I wonder what kind... Maybe a tougher plastic can be used, but I whould Highly recommend Oil-lite bronze... Tougher than brass and oil impregnated for self lubrication...

 

Brass bushings would be an improvement but will have to be custom-machined.

 

I suppose thats true, but hardly what I would call machining... Someone send me dimensions of the pieces the bushing rides on and the basic bushing geometry or an unabused bushing and a discription of the fit. Those would be simple to make on a hand lathe. I'll make a set for a guinne pig...

 

B

[sw]

Yep - plastic bushes.

pretty average i reckon.

 

precise as stated above i will measure up the new bushing from nissan that i get.

 

i have a friend that is a machinist so if i need some he will knock em up for me.

Edited May 11, 2006 by sw

[RedPath88]

he will knock em up for me.

WOW, now that is a GOOD frend, willing to make a bunch of baby bushings!

[sw]

WOW, now that is a GOOD frend, willing to make a bunch of baby bushings!

 

hehehe