Steering Idler

cobraboy

Well-Known Member
Evening all.
I have a last tracked down what I think is the reason for a tenancy to wander over uneven surfaces, a worn idler.

There is sideways play at the bottom of the shaft. So has anyone rebuilt an idler ? Is it a bearing or a bush in the bottom ? Is there an outfit that rebuilds them ?
What do you guys recommend ?

Thank you.
 
What model and year is your car? Some of the early 2000 models had a the damper separate from the idler box. J R Wadhams lists them, on a change over basis, so they may able to rebuild yours. Scott's Old Auto Rubber in Australia used to have them as well. Wins have them listed as well. They are a handed item, so if you are in a left hand drive car, then it may be a little harder to find.

I think I did see a discussion here about reconditioning them. Do a search and see what you can find.
 
At the bottom there is a bronze bush that the shaft is a precision fit into. In other words, you need a machine shop to replace the bush and ream it into size.
As j_radcliffe says, the usual suspects sell rebuilt idlers on an exchange basis.
 
Car is '72 power steer auto. I did a more thorough search on the idler ans see that there is a bush in the bottom. I guess I will have to take it out and re bush it.
Thanks
 
Well I got it all out today and stripped down the idler. There is not a bush in there , the shaft runs directly in the casting. Seems Wins and Wadhams don't offer a recon unit anymore so that avenue is closed.
Mine is worn, not much but a little wear = a lot of movement at the wheel. Will search out an engineering company to put in a bronze bush.
BTW are the castings the same for RHD and LHD ? Ta
 
Scholar engines at Mendlesham have come to the rescue, they are going to bore it out and insert a full length bushing, should be ready next week.
 
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