New Idler Arm Bushing play ? 85' 300td
 

I have the annoying steering wander still after replaceing a few parts: idler arm bushing, torsion bar bushings, new tires, lower ball joints, everything thing else seems to be in fair condition. Camber is good, toed in a bit helped but... it's bad, and gets worse at faster speeds.

With a front wheel (either side) off the ground I can move the back of the wheel in and out and see the idler arm go up and down with the wheel play. I'm sure this is affecting the steering because it's easy to do. I know I can't get a real alignment with it like this.

Needless to say, I'm pissed off about it. It was a Lemfoerder (Edit- Febi) bushing kit. Even before I installed it I noticed the new bolt didn't have very close tolerances to the steel-lined bushings. Sure enough, that play is the same play I got after installing it.
I just torqued the nut/bolt some more to be sure everything was tight, no difference.

Why would the manufacturer leave so much play in a part like this? It's not much better that the old idler bushing I replaced! Did I get a defective one? Should I get a different brand?

I had the same issue with my '83. An OEM Mercedes part, while it looks identical, solved the problem.

How much was the kit from Mercedes? I need to do mine, and I have a kit from somewhere, but I hate doing things twice.

Did you keep the box from the Lemforder kit? If so, does it indicate a country of manufacture?

I happen to have two sitting in my parts box as I plan to do both cars this summer, and one is Meyle other Lemforder. I noticed immediately that the Lemforder is less substantial than the Meyle.

Some Lemforder parts are made in China and I have been told they are mostly sent to markets like the US, where country of origin labelling is not enforced....

No, but I do remember it was cheap- like $26

Still can't believe such a simple part that seriosly affects the steering would be made so sloppy. - A slightly bigger bolt to take the play out would be a cool fix, LOL, --- wtf...:mad:

... guess I'll call the dealer tomorrow :puke:,

Ayup. So was mine. We shall see.

Oops, wow, I just researched where I bought the part (it was over a year ago), and it was a FEBI brand idler arm kit, and I paid like $20 for it. :deadhorse:

So I got me a "real" Lemfoerder Idler arm kit (says made in germany), and only a few bucks more. My steering gear is probably a little worn out and I need to check the alignment, but the car feels much more stable and safer at speed.

Conclusion, the FEBI brand one was no better than my old worn out one :confused:.

Just inspected my car today by chance. My parts are all original. Car has 80K miles on it. My idler moves about 1mm at most.

Febi is crap.