I am installing a new idler arm in my 72' Swinger. Nice looking piece, NAPA box (#268-3552) guy behind the counter said it was a Dana. The k-frame end went in fine with the two little foam dust seals and washers. The other end studs up into the steering link but I can't seem to get it all the way in. I am reefing on the nut and still have about 1/8" gap between the bottom of the link and top of the idler. Is the idler supposed to go up flush with the link? and what is the torque spec for that nut?

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"that's a nice car....are you gonna fix it up some day?"

do you have a grease boot on the arm? Maybe a boot that isn't tall enough. Don't remember a torque spec, I always tighten them with a wrench until they are tight and the cotter pin can be installed

Thanks for the reply. The only dust boots I got with the idler were foam discs , one thick, one thin. The thick one fitted well on the top of the k-frame end of the idler and I assumed the thin one went on the bottom of the same end with the steel washers sandwiching everything together. Just looking at it the thin one would fit well in the space I described above, but they only supplied the two. I thought the link was supposed to slide right down over the tapered stud, to be flush. It made quite a bang pulling it of with the puller. Anyone else?

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"that's a nice car....are you gonna fix it up some day?"

There should without a doubt be a grease boot on the center link end of the idler arm. Yes some arms are supplied with 2 foam pads for k end of the arm. I would suspect that you were shorted one grease boot. When installed properly it will look like any of the tie rods.

mcnoople I think you nailed it! No boot was in the box. The new idler ends are quite different from the origional. I pulled the boot off the old one and it's a completely different animal. I'll grab a grease boot tomorrow. Thanks for the replys.

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"that's a nice car....are you gonna fix it up some day?"