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  #1  
Old 03-07-2015, 07:07 PM
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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?

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1985 300TD 1981 Scirocco 1.6D conv 1986 Golf 1.6D 2003 Golf TDI

Last edited by sgnimj96; 03-08-2015 at 03:55 PM. Reason: part brand
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  #2  
Old 03-08-2015, 10:54 AM
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I had the same issue with my '83. An OEM Mercedes part, while it looks identical, solved the problem.
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  #3  
Old 03-08-2015, 10:59 AM
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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.
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  #4  
Old 03-08-2015, 11:47 AM
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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....
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2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
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  #5  
Old 03-08-2015, 02:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacharias View Post
Did you keep the box from the Lemforder kit?
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...

... guess I'll call the dealer tomorrow ,
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1985 300TD 1981 Scirocco 1.6D conv 1986 Golf 1.6D 2003 Golf TDI

Last edited by sgnimj96; 03-08-2015 at 02:56 PM.
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  #6  
Old 03-08-2015, 02:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgnimj96 View Post
No, but I do remember it was cheap- like $26
Ayup. So was mine. We shall see.
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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
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  #7  
Old 03-08-2015, 03:54 PM
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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.
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  #8  
Old 03-21-2015, 05:34 PM
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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 .
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  #9  
Old 03-21-2015, 10:22 PM
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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.
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  #10  
Old 03-21-2015, 10:22 PM
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Febi is crap.

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