Idler arm question

Been rehabbing my front end and
Looking at my idler arm.. Is there a way to tell if it’s shot ?? Looks pretty stout… Also, since it’s a bit worn, this bushing (marked in photo) is missing on mine.. Does anyone know if this is plastic (polyethylene) or a rubber type spacer ? Thanks for any input..

Ocho out !!

osteo16 said:

Been rehabbing my front end and
Looking at my idler arm.. Is there a way to tell if it’s shot ?? Looks pretty stout… Also, since it’s a bit worn, this bushing (marked in photo) is missing on mine.. Does anyone know if this is plastic (polyethylene) or a rubber type spacer ? Thanks for any input..
View attachment 875368
Ocho out !!

Click to expand...

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The easy answer on the condition for the idler arm is just like the tie rods. You should "push the swivel" to both extremes and it "shouldn't feel gritty" and so far as wear is concerned if you push it to one extreme or the other - it should not fall back the other direction. In other words, no slop in the joint...

osteo16 said:

Been rehabbing my front end and
Looking at my idler arm.. Is there a way to tell if it’s shot ?? Looks pretty stout… Also, since it’s a bit worn, this bushing (marked in photo) is missing on mine.. Does anyone know if this is plastic (polyethylene) or a rubber type spacer ? Thanks for any input..
View attachment 875368
Ocho out !!

Click to expand...

Sometimes it’s obvious to tell it’s shot. Other times it seems OK but isn’t.

Have someone ‘yank’ the steering left & right quickly / rapidly, in short jerky movements. Look at the idler arm (and pitman arm & tie rod ends) to see if there any movement. Sometimes the castle nut loosens up and the movement could be from that.

If you see the ball end of the idler move in the center link then the idler is bad.

It helps if you hack up the front end to do these checks too.

That bushing is more of a dustcover and absorber than anything else.

Ditto on looking for excessive slop. When really bad the stud will freely spin in the socket. on the bracket/frame side, look for extra slop/movement or just the opposite binding/seizing up.

that rubber washer is more of a dust cover and holds in grease residue. If joint is good, use a grease gun and get out old grease and pump in new grease.