Several years back I swapped in what was supposed to be a matched set of pittman arm, and idler arm. It has never felt right since. For one thing there is a bit of bump steer to the right when going over a speed bump, which would suggest a slightly different geomerty on the two parts. For another, the idler arm just did not look very strong. It has a thinner cross section, most notably where the mounting bolt passes through. The idler arm casting is not as deep as the space for it on the K member. The tube that the bolt goes through is long enough, but the casting is only about 2/3rds that long. It seems as if this part is just not going to stay parrallel to the pittman under stress.

Can anybody recommend a GOOD part that looks like the OEM part, or even heavier? This is a Moog part. I have checked Federal Mogul, and they look the same. I kind of whish I had left the old stuff on. I do n;t mind replacing both parts. These are big bolt parts, with the everything from ball joint to ball joint coming off a donner car. The steering gear box was replaced at that time too. It was a rebuilt unit from NAPA, and felt stiff, but has gotten better with use. All in all, the old stuff worked better initially after replacement than the "new" stuff. As Ross Perot used to say. "Now that's just sad!"

Sam

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H'mm. I've never seen or heard of pitman and idler arms being sold or packaged as a "matched set". Either they're the right ones...or they're the wrong ones! Was this pair you installed actually offered as a specially-matched set?

Moog = Federal Mogul, and as I have posted repeatedly, they have for several years now been taking a lot of money out of their aftermarket parts, especially those for less-popular/older applications. Serious skids in quality and specification.

What to do about it? I'm not too sure. I would avoid Federal-Mogul parts, but beyond that...I'm not sure. You're running the whole '73+ undercar setup, K-frame and all? Or do you still have the '69 K-frame?

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Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Hey Sam, by saying that "These are big bolt parts", do you mean a car with BBP hubs/wheels? From what I remember, there was a difference in ball joints from 9 to 10" drums to discs, (seems there were 2 part numbers among these 3 variants) I don't remember there being any difference in idler-pitman-center link-tie rods-sleeves on those criteria.

72 K-frame, 73 and up doner car car drag link and tie rod adjusters, pittman and idler for late 73-up A body from Moog. They were not sold as a matched pair per se. Someone needs to make a good idler arm for these cars. Anybody else making these parts now?

One major big bolt differnce is in the shape of the drag link, and the direction the tapered joints pull in from. The big bolt steering box has a bigger pittman spline on it, so these parts are not interchangeable. If you use the drag link from the big bolt pattern front end, you must use the steering box pittman, and idler also. The outer and inner tie rod ends are interchangeable, but the B body parts will work, and are heavier.

On this car, I used late B body disk brake adapters, which have pins instead of sliders for the calipers. The adapters came off of a '74 Sebring, and so the calipers are for a 74 B body as well. The flex hoses must then be for a B body also. If I am remembering right, I bought the good stainless sleave stuff, but I am not under the car looking right now.

I am sure there are literally scores of combinations that will work to put disk brakes on an A body car, especially since the B and F body spindels, are now being used by some. I hope I didn't tell you too much. I am hoping one of these companies like Just Supensions, or whatever, will underwrite the production of better parts for us.

Sam

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SAM, You might want to contact Firmfeel.com or call their tech line,
1-360-546-3633. Ask to talk to Dick, I think he owns the place. They had a motto that "WE Race What We Sell". I talked to him several times and you should be able to find some answers there. They are brand specific,That may help.

Thank you Romeo.I will give them a call for sure. That sounds like a great idea.

Sam

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