HELP! Idler arm replacement question

[2K6TBSS]

Hey all,
I was replacing my idler and pitman arms over the weekend and ran into a little problem with the idler arm.

The bolt that goes into the steering relay rod went in fine, torqued to spec and installed the cotter pin. The other end that bolts into the idler arm bracket is having some issues.

My problem is that the shaft inside the idler arm bracket is spinning freely and I can't get the bolt to tighten, is there something that I can do to make the shaft stop spinning, or do I need to replace the bracket also?

Thanks all!!!

 

[nikel]

When I replaced mine, I don't recall is spinning freely. Run up to the autoparts store and check a new one to see if it spins.

 

[2K6TBSS]

I have a feeling that it shouldn't spin freely. I am thinking that I need to replace it, but hoping that I am just being paranoid.

 

[99Yuk]

I did mine a few weeks ago and ran across the same problem!

I googled it and came up with, 'use an impact and the torque of the impact will overcome the shaft and it will tighten up, eventually.'

I don't know about you, but I couldn't get an impact in there!

I ended up using a second person on the end of an eight foot pry bar pulling down on the pry bar and pushing up on the idler arm while I wrenched. Turns out that the pressure applied on the idler arm to the upper bracket mounted on the frame was enough to stop the shaft from turning. But I mean the guy was 270+lbs and had all of his weight on the end of this pry bar!

Hope that helps!


BTW, the shaft does spin during normal use. It's normal...

 

[2K6TBSS]

I ended up just getting a new bracket. The new bracket came with an allen wrench hole at the end of the shaft. Was able to get that working with no problems.

 

[retorq]

I ended up just getting a new bracket. The new bracket came with an allen wrench hole at the end of the shaft. Was able to get that working with no problems.

DOH!! Day late ... this was my situation ... was going to suggest this route. Not much more $$$ and MUCH easier.