Maybe everybody but me. But to me it looks like sort of a disaster area.

1965 Valiant:

At the second point from the right end of the tie rod (the first linking to the passenger side spindle arm), the joint between the tie rod and the rear of the idler arm lets the tie rod rotate up and down quite a lot. So much so that since the link out to the spindle arm is at an angle this is actually letting the whole spindle/hub/drum/wheel rotate right and left too much to suit me. And a good jerk (left-right twist) on the drum will get me a clunk of very audible proportions.

How much motion is acceptable here and what fixes it if too much? It looks like the excess motion is primarily in the rear joint of the idler arm to me. Does the whole idler arm need replacing if this motion is excessive?

If you can see any play in the steering or suspension it's way too much. If the idler arm is allowing the center link (and therfore the inner tie rod end) to move up and down the idler arm needs to be replaced.

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Joshua

Any? I thought there was supposed to be some flexibility in those things. Shows what I know.

Thanks.

No, they swing side to side in a flat arc or they get replaced.

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Joshua

Thanks