DIY page, Introduction to Idler Arm Rebuild
 

What exactly is this thing and where is it? The idler arm is a fancy word for a bolt which ties the frame of the car to the steering rack. It makes sense, if the gearbox is supporting one side something has to support the other side, but what? An idler arm! What happens is when the rubber bushings get wear or aged they start making the car feel like a side to side swaying at slow speeds. This is caused by just that, the idler arm is allowing one wheel to move freely from side to side. You have to man-power the wheel quite a bit to see it move, but if and when it does move like that you know it is time to rebuild it. The test for this part would be to jack the front of the car off the ground and try to force the passenger side wheel to turn each way while watching the idler arm.

Re: DIY page, Introduction to Idler Arm Rebuild
 

Hello BoostnBenz
This is a very nice idler arm DIY.
EDIT: replaced bad link.
http://boostnbenz.1baddsm.com/DIY/FrontSuspension/idlerarm/

Thanks whunter.

Thanks for the DIY site!!!
How about a cruise control resolder DIY?

Great work

Thanks.

My cruise control works just fine so nothing to fix but lietviai offered me to fix his if I ever feel so inclined to working on one. :D I wouldn't count on anything very soon though.

I would think straight forward, the trick is to get the darn thing out of the housing without damaging. I tried a resolder on a CCU, no change, good luck.

idler arm bushing stuck broken
 

Do: drive + lubricate
Don't: Pull

This link is dead...

try:

http://boostnbenz.1baddsm.com/DIY/FrontSuspension/idlerarm/

Idler Arm
 

Boostnbenz, I may have to tackle the idler arm repair pretty soon. I read your write up. Thanks for that. Just have a couple of dumb questions. I assume you were working on it from under the car, right?

I've been hearing 'clicking" sounds whenever i turn left or right on the 84D (261k). Not sure whether to have my indy do it or me do it. I still have to get the part though.

Is there a way to check if the culprit is in fact the idler arm? I know my tie rod ends are fine.

Are there other issues that would start making the car feel like a side to side swaying at slow speeds?

On my sister's W201 I had to beat the bushings out of the holder....on my W124 they just fell out when I took the bolt out. The bolt on the W201 removed easily with a breaker bar. On the W124 it took the breaker bar + a 4 foot pipe. :eek: Almost broke my tools. The bolt/nut is larger on a W124....not sure on a W123/W126...I'm doing those in the coming months.

Perhaps shocks.

More data needed
 

Which car?

Do you feel it in your hands/feet or butt/back?

'85 300TD (wagon)

In the back mostly.