1980 Spider idler arm

[backyardbill]

Has anyone rebuilt their steering idler arm with new bushings? I can't seem to find the bushings anywhere. Mine was completely dry, so I filled it up with 90w gear lube and exercised it back and forth about 50 times while the car is up jack stands. It still has a slight movement in the shaft.

I don't want to buy a new one that doesn't have the damper built in.

Thanks.

[Foster48x]

Bill,
I also searched for bushings to rebuild mine and couldn't find them anywhere. While searching I did find a article on a guy who rebuilt one by custom making his own bushings and re-sleeving the idler arm shaft. It looked like allot of work and not really worth the effort.

Rick

[manoa matt]

I think Classic Ricambi had a rebuild kit a while back when Val was running the show, don't know if its still there. The idler does not have an oil seal on the output shaft, but a tapered bushing and shaft. There is no adjustment to pull/push the shaft to create a better seal.

Bill, did you take the top cover off and the intermediate valve plate? You need to fill the lower chamber full of oil, intall the valve plate, intall the cap and then fill the cap with oil. If you only filled the top hole then there is not enough oil in it and it will still have play.

[backyardbill]

No, I didn't take the cover off. Just put the oil in through the bolt hole. I will take it apart tomorrow and do the innards with oil. Thanks.

[pope]

Bill, an FYI on the idler arm. There are three pieces to it. A top, a 1/4" middle section and the large bottom half like Matt said. Just be aware that there are clear plastic gaskets that sandwich each part, I think there is a total of 4 of them. Two pairs that are just slightly different, so just to be aware of the order.

[manoa matt]

Pope, I'd like to see those gaskets. Of all the oil filled idler's I've come across they only have a rubber O-rings on the valve plate and top cover.

[pope]

Matt, your are right, the idler has o-rings. Its the steering box that has the clear plastic gaskets.
How come you didnt tell me that it was the steering box that had the clear gaskets, BEFORE I opened them up? LOL

[manoa matt]

Pope, If you are refering to the clear plastic "gaskets" on the front, behind the metal plate with 4 bolts....those are actually shims, and that is an area prone to weep oil.

[Foster48x]

I would definitely take it apart and clean it out. Mine was filled with congealed oil or grease or something. Also be careful not to overfill it. Too much oil will keep the paddle inside from moving freely.

Rick

[pope]

Matt, do you suggest some sort of high tack sealer between the plastic shims or just fit them back together clean and dry?
That was the area I was talking about, it has 3 or 4 shims if you will.

[Foster48x]

Bill,
I also searched for bushings to rebuild mine and couldn't find them anywhere. While searching I did find a article on a guy who rebuilt one by custom making his own bushings and re-sleeving the idler arm shaft. It looked like allot of work and not really worth the effort.

Rick

Bill,
Here's a link to the post about making your own bushings on the steering idler.
http://fiatcenter.com/bbv2/bbBoard.cgi? ... gtid=12814

Rick

[backyardbill]

Excellent Thanks for the link. I really enjoy finding a fix to a problem that is neat, cheap, effective and results in a solution that is as good as or better than the original design. Good stuff!

After topping up the idler with 90W, and leaving it sit for 48 hours, all slop appears to be gone. I won't be able to do a road test until I get the newly rebuilt front suspension installed (1 week). If there is still slop, then I will rebuild the idler.

My Fiat project is moving along slowly, but progress is being made, thanks to the help of you Fiatistas.