Idler Arm Repair Kit

[YellowRose]

Here is some information that Jay Davidson ~ JAY DAVIDSON passed on to me. If you need further information regarding this, send him an email or PM.

"When I rebuilt the front end, we put new bushings in the Idler arm. Last nite as we were fixing the trans mount, I gripped the Rt tire and there was not a lot of play in the linkage but enough to bother me. I snugged up the axle spindle nut, and I could see play in the Idler bushings. .............LOUSY NEW PARTS AGAIN...... Ray

I brought back the Trans mount today for credit and inquired about what he had for bushings. The store owner showed me a kit made by REMCO in 1962 to rebuild the Idler stronger than new. The kit was $109 but he said you will never have a problem ever again.

I took a photo of the instructions and parts This kit eliminates the bushings and gives you a round grease donut, a bearing underneath and creates a sealed chamber filled with grease and a fitting. FABULOUS........... The old bushings came right out. I just did the Arm/Bracket that bolts to the FRAME. The other end of the arm connects to the center link. I might do that side sunday. He had the parts to solve the problem

THAT WHEEL IS GORILLA TIGHT!!!!!!! I fix everything..........I will make a copy of the diagram as this should be in the tech file. I think this parts store has access to more kits. Bushings do not do the job.............You should be able to blow this parts sheet up and read it."

Here is the company that he got that kit from. This company might have other parts that you are looking for also.

http://then-now-auto.com/

Here are the installation instructions for the Moog/REMCO K256 Idler Arm Repair Kit that I just received from Jay today. Should you buy a kit and it does not have the instructions with it, these are those instructions.

Installation Instructions For "Ball Bearing" Idler Arm Kit

1. Remove the Idler Arm from the car. It is recommended that the Power Steering Hydraulic Cylinder Rod End be disconnected and worn rubber bushings "A" be replaced after installation of Idler Arm Kit with rubber bushings "A" contained in kit.

2. Remove the rubber bushing from the Frame Bracket. If desired, the Frame Bracket may be removed from the car to facilitate removing rubber bushing. The Rod or Drag Link Assembly may be left on the car and the rubber bushings removed by use of Bushing Puller Tools T-416 or T-417 or other similar tools.

3. BALL THRUST BEARING "B"
Pack all four bearings with grease.

4. ASSEMBLY:
Assemble bracket end of Idler Arm first. Assemble all parts in order shown on illustration making sure collar DD (without recess) is assembled first on Idler Arm. Then assemble Rod or Drag Link End of Idler Arm. Assemble parts in order shown on illustration, making sure Rubber Washer "C" is inserted into recess or counter-bore of part "D" and around threads of stud before installing flat washer "E".

5. NOTE: Ball Thrust Bearings "B" should be installed as shown in illustration. Open side of bearing should face towards Frame Bracket or Drag Link boss.

6. LOCK NUT "F" ADJUSTMENT OF BOTH ENDS
Install Lock Nut "F" on stud and run Lock Nut "F" finger tight until all play is removed from opposite end of Idler Arm, then using a torque wrench, tighten nut to 20-25 foot pounds.

7. COTTER PIN "G"
If Hole in stud and slot of Lock Nut "F" are not in line, tighten Lock Nut until slot lines up with hole in stud. Install cotter pin "G".

8. GREASE FITTING "H"
Install the grease fittings "H". Lubricate with a good grade of chassis lubricant.

9. The entire assembly should now be checked for installation errors by comparing to the illustration. All component parts must be in position as shown on illustration.

Here is a picture that he sent me.

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Bushings

Here is some additional information that Jay sent to me this morning.

"UPDATE. .....I did other end of the arm where it connects to the center link and it is now complete.......What a difference !!!!!!!!!!!

RAY.........Every Squarebird needs this kit!

I am going to mail to you Sunday the little box and the diagram that came with it.

The owner Tom Hannaford bought up inventories of old parts years ago for pennies and now sells them. But the $110 I spent for that kit tightened up the steering linkage.

I now have grease fittings and a SAFE solid arrangement.

Tom does have stuff that we need."

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Bushings

Jay just sent me some additional information and pix showing the grease fittings and installation. He said this kit came in a REMCO box labeled as K-106 and retails for $118. However, his receipt shows that it is a MOOG K256 Repair Kit. Jay says thinks REMCO was a supplier that "private labeled" MOOG stuff. If you call them, ask for Chris. I tried to find this kit listed on their website, but did not find it. Jay is very pleased with this kit, and you see his comments about it.

Here is some additional information he just sent me.

"This kit has a bearing, a spacer on the bottom, and up top a spacer bearing, and spacer with grease fitting all locked in by a HEAVY washer nut and pin creating a chamber of grease."

Here are the pix that he sent me.

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Bushings

Jay just sent me this following information regarding the MOOG kit.

"Then And Now Auto has SIX more MOOG K256 Repair Kits on the shelf. They are $118 Each. Don't even try to find them elsewhere. He will ship UPS to anywhere."

I just talked with Moog regarding this kit and they tell me it was for a '54-'59 Ford & Tbird. They say they have not marketed that kit for decades and they do not have any of them stashed away anywhere. They suggested trying Rare Parts out in California. You could also try some of the other rare parts or NOS parts companies listed in the Advertisements Forum. BTW, their website is: http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/ They do not sell to the public but through their subsidiaries.

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Bushings

My research has found that this MOOG K256 Repair Kit should also work on the 1960 Squarebird. In searching for more of these kits, I saw advertising to that effect.

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Repair Kit

Have I got a deal for those of you who are thinking of adding the grease fitting to your idler arm! Jay told me that there were no more of these left in captivity.. Wrong! I put my bloodhound nose to the ground and found 2 more! I also found some by McQuay-Norris and TRW for the Bulletbirds and posted them. These repair kits are NLA at Moog, McQuay=Norris and TRW. They were made back in the 60's I gather and have been long out of stock. Maybe some of the NOS or Old Parts companies might have some. I will do some more digging.

I have been researching and looking for other companies that might have this Moog part or other idler arm repair kits with the grease nipples. I found a post about these kits on another Forum that was several years old, but I called him.

I have contacted the Tony Lucckino in Prescott, Arizona. He had 2 of them, but they have just sold. I bought one of them. He has no more of them.

He tells me that he has TWO Moog K891 Ball Joint Conversion Units for the '60 Tbird. I would imagine that they would also fit the '58 & '59. $15 each, plus shipping. It is my understanding that they are new.

He said to call him and whoever gets there first gets it. His number is 928-277-4023. He only takes M.O. or Post office Money Orders, no paypal or credit/debit cards.

[partsetal]

There are two listings for these kits on ebay for the Squarebird and have been on for months with no takers at 18.50.
Carl

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Repair Kit

Hi Carl, I looked on eBay and I did not find them. I did a lot of looking and didn't find any listing for them as a Moog K256 Repair Kit, K-256, or Idler Arm kit. If you have the links, can you post them in the For Sale Forum?

Thanks, Carl! I moved it to the For Sale Forum. I see he is away on holiday...

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Repair Kit

Jay just provided me with additional information regarding another source for the Moog K256 Idler Arm Repair Kit. He was told that Rare Parts also has these kits. I just talked with them and they have 10 of them, but at a considerably higher price of $165.62 which includes the club discount I was able to obtain for us some months ago. If you order from them tell them that you are a member of Squarebirds.org and want the club discount. So when the supply at Then & Now Auto runs out, there will still be a source for them until their supply is exhausted. The contact information for Rare Parts is in the Advertisements Forum, as is that for Then & Now Auto.

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Repair Kit

I just talked with Then & Now Auto and they only have 2 of the Moog K256 Idler Arm Repair Kits left..... If you want one, at their price and don't want to pay what Rare Parts is asking for theirs, you had better jump on it... If you snooze, you lose....

[Dakota Boy]

I assume these kits are only for cars equipped with power steering. ?

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Repair Kit

Greg, I think that is correct. I asked Jay Davidson, and he was not sure. He suggested that I contact Chris at Then & Now Auto and ask him. I will do that in the morning. But I do think this is for power equipped cars only. I see the instructions mention power steering. I will let you know.

[YellowRose]

Idler Arm Repair Kit

I called Then & Now Auto regarding the Moog K256 kit. They were not able to tell me if it can be used on a Squarebird that does not have power steering. I guess one would have to look at a Squarebird that does not have power steering and see if the idler arm set up is the same. Perhaps someone else on here might be able to give us an answer to this.

I just checked with another source and was told that according to the information they have, this kit is only for a car that is equipped with power steering.

[YellowRose]

UPDATE ~ Idler Arm Repair Kit

"Then And Now Auto" (781-335-8860) now has a total of 12 MOOG K256 Repair Kits on the shelf. They are $118 Each. They found an additional 10 more in their warehouse. They will ship UPS to anywhere. They called me this afternoon to confirm this. They said they are all complete kits.

Rare Parts (800-621-2005) has 10 Moog K256 Idler Arm Repair Kits at a considerably higher price of $165.62 which includes the club discount I was able to obtain for us some months ago. If you order from them tell them that you are a member of Squarebirds.org and want the club discount.

After these 22 kits are gone, there are no others that I know of. If you want to make this conversion on your '58-'60 Squarebirds, I would suggest you grab one while the getting is good.. Jay Davidson is very pleased with the way this kit has tightened things up regarding that idler arm assembly unit. Now he has grease points that he can use in the future for proper lubrication.

[Dakota Boy]

If someone buys a kit, they should post some photos and measurements so they could be copied in the future if someone wants to do so.