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-   -   What is required for idler arm repair? (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/76666-what-required-idler-arm-repair.html)

WANT '71 280SEL 10-07-2003 08:56 PM

What is required for idler arm repair?
 
I bought an idler arm repair kit and can't get the old bushings out. It is hard to hit them out because the collars are so close on the inside and nothing to grip on the outside. Would this be a job for an indie? Also what is the part name the the bushings are holding? it is the arm that holds the right tie rod. The car is a 1979 300SD w116. I think a lot of Benzes have the saem setup for the idler bushings though.
Thanks
David

cornblatt 10-08-2003 09:08 AM

I just did this on the weekend on my 84 190D. I'll tell you what I did, but the parts / procedure may be slightly different on your car.

I had a bit of trouble removing the old bushings. In my case, I got a bunch of pieces out that didn't resemble the new bushings I had, and I almost gave up, thinking I bought the wrong replacement parts! It turned out that the bushing had just come apart.

I'll assume you've removed the heat shield and the bolt that goes through the bushings (mine was 22mm).

Here's what worked for me: Get under the car, and hold a hammer almost vertically (with the head up, handle down). Slide the claw side of the hammer down the tube that holds the bushings, so that the claw impacts the flange that sticks out from the bottom bushing. Do this really hard, about 50 times. Use as much force as you can. The force should almost lift you off of the ground when you contact the bushing. Eventually, the bottom bushing will come out. With this technique, the tube helps guide the claw of the hammer as you are applying force, so it's easy to bash the tiny flange on the bushing really hard and reasonably accurately.

Once the bottom bushing is out, stick something (a large bolt, piece of wood, etc) up in the tube so that it contacts the bottom side of the top bushing, and bash on that with the hammer to push the top bushing out from below.

Matt :)

jrbnc 10-08-2003 10:05 AM

How do you know
 
How do you know if your idler arm is bad? Just look at the bushings or are there noticable symptoms with the vehicle?

dmorrison 10-08-2003 12:23 PM

When I did this on the 123, the problem was driving out the lower bushing. I did it by buying a long brass rod, 1/8th inch by 2 feet. From above the engine, I fed the long brass rod through the engine compartment and into the top of the idle arm assembly. Use a hammer on the top of the rod to apply blows to the idle arm bushing from above. This took a few blows and the bushing came out. The upper bushing can be punched out from below with a brass punch. Use brass so you dont put any scratches in the idle arm housing. Brass will not scratch or mark the steel, it is softer that steel.

Dave

WANT '71 280SEL 10-09-2003 11:12 PM

The bolt has some slop in the arm itself. I have new bushings also. I think it is worn from driving it with bad idler bushings. The arm could move up and down and we removed the bolt from the arm and it had play in it. It has more play in the arm then in the bushings actually. I am getting a used arm from a guy on th forum soon.
Thanks
David


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