Going through the front suspension and steering components. This is what I came across tearing down the steering center link and idler arm.
Are these both trash?
Not exactly sure what the welds were for or doing as it all came apart easily enough. I can see that there used to be threads on the inside of both holes. I bought new screw caps and rubber grommets and they screw onto the idler just fine.
How loose is the idler arm suppose to be on the "L" bracket that attaches to the frame?
I think I would replace them myself...but then I get a bit anal about steering components. Some of the threads look pretty worn to me. Safety is more important to me than saving a few dollars. But again...JMHO. Others with more experience may have a different take/view.
Yeah, that is pretty gnarly. If you can find replacements I would trash them. The weld is an attempt to bring the drag link back into spec.
M/S or P/S?
M/S and I want to keep it that way.
I was thinking that they were trash but wanted a few other opinions. The hunt is on for some new pieces.
Thank you for the help.
I agree, those pieces look sketchy. Not sure if it is a direct swap, but the idler arm bracket from a 1959 Ford is a much sturdier looking, cast or forged item, than the flat steel bracket used on 57-8s. The frame, idler arm and center link all look the same for all 3 years.
That's funny as I actually ordered the beefier bracket too. I was curious to see if it is the same measurements as my stock piece.
Let us know if the 59 one works, I need to replace the one on my 58.
Not sure if I understand your pics correctly, but if that's the tierod idler arm assmbly on the pssgr side, yours isn't a factory 57 setup anymore. it appears as if somebody drilled the bracket for some kind of bushing or shaft and used a different idler arm .
the original 57 setup has a L shaped bracket with coarse inner threads, that a bushing threads into. that bushing has inner threads that the idler arm directly threads into. if that unit is worn you can replace the threaded bushing in the L bracket, but you have to replace the idler arm with a new one, since the threads are machined on it. Will see if I can dig out some pics. G.
Ja ! Here it is ! :001:
I replaced this last spring with an NOS Ford B-7 *** kit, that I purchased from one of our Gentlemen on the forum !
Yes the 59 idler arm bracket is a cast piece and it works on a 57 and 58 . I have it on both my cars.
I like that 59 bracket. At one time they sold a rebuild kit that used bearings rather then bushings. I saw one for sale somewhere that I don't remember but it was pricey.
I have a rather large box of auction purchased aftermarket ball bearing idler arm kits. If anyone is interested, I'll look and see if any are for '57. They won't be "pricey", just reasonable. John
Quote from: Hoosier Hurricane on 2021-01-24 09:28
I have a rather large box of auction purchased aftermarket ball bearing idler arm kits. If anyone is interested, I'll look and see if any are for '57. They won't be "pricey", just reasonable. John
John I would be interested but no rush as I have ordered parts already.
Picture is what came off of my car.
Quote from: Hoosier Hurricane on 2021-01-24 09:28
I have a rather large box of auction purchased aftermarket ball bearing idler arm kits. If anyone is interested, I'll look and see if any are for '57. They won't be "pricey", just reasonable. John
That would be of interest to me, put me on the list.
Ottoparts and Hiball, I owe you both an apology. I looked at my kits today, and I should have looked at them when I got them. They are NOT ballbearing kits like I was familiar with. I have four kits for '54 to '60 Fords, but are for power steering equipped cars. What they are, are kits to replace the original rubber lined type bushings with a plastic/nylon type material. Not even greasable. The original bushings used the memory of the rubber to help return the steering to center after a turn, which these plastic ones can't do. Snake oil products. I have a bunch of them for '61 Fords also. In my opinion, they are not worth the cost to ship them somewhere. Sorry to mislead everyone, and for hijacking your post. John
Thank you John for looking. I wouldn't consider it hijacking when there's a chance to learn something new.
Thanks John. Luckily I don't need one now but would have saved it for the future..
Here are the brackets. My stock one which is not only has messed up threads, but is both bent and twisted. New replacement and thirdly the 59 bracket. A lot more beefier and all three have the same eyebolt size and separation.
Thank you for posting that. I'm going to keep my eye out for the cast bracket.
X2!
B8A 3351-A -
As near as I can tell, by measuring, the 62 and 57 bracket share the same dimensions.
The ball bearing kits were aftermarket. Said to reduce steering effort.
Ron.
Great info here as usual, thanx a lot !
PIC '64 Galaxie PS idler arm with aftermarket bearing kit that I used on '57 Raunch Wagon.
I would like some thoughts on the idler arms with the bearings over the bushings. I was told by one front end guy that the bushing is preferred because the bushing uses the memory f the rubber that does not turn with the arm and it helps bring the steering back to center. Another old time front end shop said the one with the bearings are better than the bushing set up. Is this like the discussion of which oil is best for your engine?
The original, OEM bushing would likely be fine if you could find one that wasn't 60 years old. I installed two aftermarket replacement bushings and both had 'memory'. After making a turn, the steering would pull or drift in the direction of the last turn. Turn a little in the opposite direction to 'center' the idler arm and the car went straight down the road. I installed the bearing kit...end of problems. This was a PS system not manual steering.
Only the factory power steering equipped 57-59 Ford cars used rubber bushings in the idler arms. Manual steering cars have threaded, greasable bushing nuts and the idler arm itself. The threads are what the idler arm pivots on, similar to the upper control arm pivots of 58 & 59 Fords, as well as 65 thru 73 Mustangs and Cougars, 62 thru 71 Fairlanes/Comets/ Torinos, 60 thru 70 Falcons, etc. I have to wonder if the ball bearing style offer much easier operation, since the threaded style has very little drag.
As long as the threaded style is kept greased, they are pretty much trouble free. And new idler arms are quite inexpensive, and readily available.