Problem with replacement Idler Arm

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straightlinespeed

straightlinespeed

Sometimes I pretend to be normal
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Ok fellas, I picked up a new Idler Arm from Rockauto moog part #K7042. I took it out of the box to install it and its not even close! The arm in the bottom of the pic was the one on my car. That arm fit nicely and the tie rod was level with the pitman arm. The one on top was the one I ordered. I found a receipt from the previous owner who bought it from rockauto with a moog part #K7049. According to Classic Industries I need the K7042 the above mentioned arm that was totally wrong. Could this have been a issue with the wrong part in the correct box? My box had the K7042 on it. Has anyone else ordered this exact arm from Rockauto? Im going to send it back since it is wrong but curious if anyone else has a pic of theres handy.

View attachment idler arm.jpg
 
as someone who has been in the Parts Bus for 25+ years it is probably packaged wrong. What is the application for the idler?
 
moog k7049 is a bushing only....the K7042 is the correct number.
 
The bushing may be the only piece they replaced. That explains the different part #. The entire arm needs to be replaced now. Still its way off from the original arm that was on the car.
 
Something does Not Look right as the K7042 should be the correct part for the application.
 

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mrdodge69 said:
Something does Not Look right as the K7042 should be the correct part for the application.
Click to expand...

Ok, that part looks like the same as the upper one in my pic. Although if you try to install it just like it is in your pic it does not fit into the tapered hole because the larger part of the taper is on top.

The way the arm is in my pic is the way it was bolted into the car. Castle nut on the bottom of the bar to the tie rods. Does anyone have a pic of this section of there car. Im starting to wonder if mine even has the correct tie rods in it.
 
Ok judging by this pic of a k member I found on the site the idler arm that was on the car was not correct. The castle nut should be facing the engine along with the pitman arm nut. Meaning that my center link is more than likely upside down. Can anyone verify this position on there own car for me? View attachment k member.jpg
 
On a 71 Dart..duster ..scamp..the castle nut should be on TOP of the drag link..like wise the pitman arm...and the tie rods should be pointing toward the rear of the car...

picture is correct
 
Ok, I was just unsure because the idler arm in that pic looks flatter not so much curve. Pics can be deceiving. Hmmm now makes me wonder what else is wrong with my car? Im suprised that I didnt end up in the ditch with the way my steering was! Glad Im stripping the car down and fixing these problems now!
 
Yes it was in the car like that. Now that I look at that pic I noticed the center link has a slight bend to clear the oil pan. I noticed that on mine when I was seeing if I could flip it. If I flip mine over it will actually be arched towards the oil pan. Something still is not right with my set up.
 
Take a picture of what is in your car now.

Include the idler, centerlink and pitman arm.

Someome may have installed a 73-up large spline steering box that points the pitman stud downward. So they put on a 73-76 idler and just flipped the centerlink or put on the correct 73-76 centerlink.

Does the end of your centerlink look flat from the idler hole to the tie rod hole?

This is a 73-76 A-body centerlink.
 

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You know that may be exactly what has happened. I cant get to the car to take a pic its 3 hours away from me. I will be heading up there again in about 2 weeks. I do remember when I bought the car the guy mentioned something about the calipers and brakes/rotors being from a '75 car. I thought that was strange. If that is the case and they did switch out the knuckles and all that, is it possible to just replace the center link with the correct '71 center link. The reason being is Im switching out the steering box to a manual steering from a '68 car, where the pitman arm stud faces up.

Knowing my luck its not just a simple switch and I will have to look at switching everything over.
 
The thing is if you go with the early box, and an early center link, the top (new?) idler in your top photo should be the right one.

That is, "all early stuff" with "all early stuff"
 
67Dart273 said:
The thing is if you go with the early box, and an early center link, the top (new?) idler in your top photo should be the right one.

That is, "all early stuff" with "all early stuff"
Click to expand...

Yes.

If you go with a small spline steering box that is 1972 and down you will need the 68-72 and down centerlink, 68-72 pitman, 68-72 idler. The tie rods will need re-adjustment but will work for both setups.

While you are at it, check the K-member to see if it is a 73-76 spool motor mount type vs the 68-72 biscuit motor mount type. Was your car originally a /6 but now a V-8?

Do you have large bolt pattern rims front and rear?
 
autoxcuda said:
Yes.

If you go with a small spline steering box that is 1972 and down you will need the 68-72 and down centerlink, 68-72 pitman, 68-72 idler. The tie rods will need re-adjustment but will work for both setups.

While you are at it, check the K-member to see if it is a 73-76 spool motor mount type vs the 68-72 biscuit motor mount type. Was your car originally a /6 but now a V-8?

Do you have large bolt pattern rims front and rear?
Click to expand...

Ok, its good to know that the tie rods will work but need the adjusting. I already have the pitman arm and obviously the correct idler arm but the wrong center link. I cant seem to find anyone that sells them. :wack:
My car was originally a 318 car but Im not sure what the difference is with the motor mounts?!?!?!?!

I have LBP front and SBP rear, I believe the rear end was swapped into the car. I have a set of new axle shafts coming with the LBP.
 
The mounts difference is obvious. the older mounts are a square/ rectangular "pillow mount" and the newer "spool" mounts have a large bolt going through from front to rear

Newer "spool" member, see the slots front to rear at top of the mount pillars?

attachment.php


Newer Mopar "spool" mounts

You can buy these cheap complete as shown at most parts stores, EXCEPT the listing is wrong. They show 318/ 340 / 360 as one part number. You can make them work.

attachment.php
 
I have a set of those mounts. The picture with the 2 arms is the bottom 1 is 73-6 (spool engine mount k frame) & the top 1 looks like 68-72 (biscuit style motor mounts). Which k frame do you have?
 
The small block spool mounts were used on all dodge diplomat & aspen bodies. Have a junk yard near by?
 
Does yours look like this? If so your original is a K7086 and it would be correct for the OEM 73 through 76 big ball joint A bodies.
 

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