Idler Arm

[Barnum]

Anyone know a part # or where I might find an idler arm for my 54 Eagle. I would suspect, if it is year specific, it would be for a 53 as mine is an early Eagle.

[MarkH]

I think I've seen this seller list them in the past but don't see one now. He regularly lists an assortment of Aero parts as Jeep parts as being "recovered" because they're not shiny anymore. I ordered a worm gear shaft from him to tighten up my steering box (hard to find part) and it was perfect. Return address was a Chrysler dealership so I'm guessing all NOS stuff.

The hex bushing in this idler arm bracket he has listed is a wear item. Not remembering, I think the number of  grooves in the hex determine the oversize (3 different sizes?).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Jeep-Bracket-807761-Recovered-/250232173527?hash=item3a42fff3d7:m:m-cb8BmGQi9iJYAgJKy4nmg

You might also check with Duane Hayes,  I know he has some NOS steering parts.donegoing2002@yahoo.com

[pnw_oldmags]

Can you photo your Part and post it?  We have one in a junk yard close.  It is a 53 Aero lark.  How much should I pay for it?

[Barnum]

Thanks! I'll have to look a little closer to determine if it is just the bushing. In looking over the shop manual....it may very well be the bushing

[Barnum]

Heard back from Duane, all he has in nos are control arms and says as far as he knows there are no bushings or idler arms other than used. The bracket listed on that ebay site sure does look similar.....so I have to wonder if a jeep part might work.

[Barnum]

Also thanks Jim, that Lark would be the right year. I need to determine if I need both the bracket and idler arm....but i'm thinking  to go used, it might be best to leave the idler attached to the bracket and not disturb the bushing. Will let you know.

[pnw_oldmags]

I would really like a photo so I am sure to pull the right part(s) for you.

[Barnum]

Jim, I'll have to get the car in the air to do that. Duane got back to me  again and confirmed what Mark had said. The usual wear is the bushing on the bracket the arm is attached to, The replacement was one of three sizes. If you have a shop manual there is a diagram on pg 197. I am just wondering if there isn't something from another car(bushing) that would at least be better than a worn out one.

[MarkH]

The bracket listed on that ebay site sure does look similar.....so I have to wonder if a jeep part might work.

That part number is in the '52/53 parts book so will be correct for an early model.
Bushings come as .010, .150 & .020 over depending on grooves. i can't remember when or where I heard about the grooves. None of this sellers photos enlarge so I'll guess it's a smooth bushing, standard size.

His auction is for 2 parts, the bracket #807761 and a bushing, several possible part #'s. One or both can be installed, separate, or together. The wear occurs on the inside threads of the bushing, not on the threads that fasten it into the bracket.

[Barnum]

I may have misunderstood....Mark....is that the correct part ?

[MarkH]

The parts book for '52 & '53 shows 2 Idler Arm support numbers, #806797 UP TO ser no. (blank) and #809761 AFTER ser. no. (blank). There's actually 5 bushing part numbers, .010, .015 and .020, once again BEFORE an unspecified serial number, and 2 more, .005 and .010, also listed as AFTER an unspecified number. I'm guessing these reflect minor production run or supplier changes, very common.

Support #809761 is also the support listed in the '54/'55 book as well as the .005 & .010 bushings with the same '52/"53 part numbers.

Last fall I fully tore down 3 steering assemblies ranging from a very early production '52 to a very late '53 (early '54). I saw no noticable difference between idler support brackets. I did luck onto a new bushing at the time and somehow twigged out the groove system then, and also notice one bushing had a slightly taller hex with a spring inside but the same internal threads. Sorting for the nicest parts & tightest fit, I swapped parts around, everything interchanged.

I have a "Popular Parts List" book for a wide variety of Jeeps, Wagons & FC up to the '60's and don't see any part similiar to this bracket/bushing. Since the bracket and bushing in the auction above looks exactly like the three I had last fall I strongly suspect that the  sellers "9" in the part number has been incorrectly transposed to a "7" sometime in the past 60yrs................... just my opinion.

Everything this seller has is listed as Jeep, but if you look carefully, many Aero specific parts are salted throughout his litings as being Jeep parts.

Hope this helps!

[Barnum]

Thanks! Does anyone have access to hollinders ?

[MarkH]

I've got a Hollander, haven't had any luck with it for the Aero so far. What part do you want to see if there's a cross for?

[Barnum]

Just wondered if there is a cross for the idler bushings Figured it was worth a shot. Will probably go for the ebay part.....and also see what Duane comes up with. Hope to have the redone rad back tomorrow....if all goes well, just about ready for a cruise

[MarkH]

Well, I'm stumped. I can find listings in '46 to '56 (reprint) Hollander steering section for everything on the Aero EXCEPT the idler arm, bushing & support. I've read and re-read it and just don't see it anywhere.
I think it may not matter anyway since what it does cross reference, only crosses between the various Aero models.

Also, I'm going to have to do a bit of back pedalling here. I dug out my uninstalled support tonight to compare it to the one on ebay, and I do see a slight difference.

If you look closely between the two attached photos, the "nose" with the protruding round collar where the bushing screws in, is a deeper stamping on my support, making the collar look shorter. Also, the bushing on ebay appears to be one of the tall ones which I'd seen before. I'd discovered that the extra length inside that one was for a fairly light spring that bore against the end of the threaded in piece of the idler arm.

,I'm still sure those are Aero parts on ebay and will interchange, but did message the seller and asked him to check the number on the original tag wired to the part and will post his reply. I had him check another mis-numbered part a while back before buying and he was pretty quick.

Hope this helps!