Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Ok finally replaced my bent idler arm with a new aftermarket unit ($128).
Baz pulled apart the bent one so we could check out the set up in the bell crank. It took 6 ton of hydraulic pressure to pull the idler arm off the shaft on the bench press
The machined shaft is supported by a plastic bush running virtually the length of the housing and there is a bronze bushing at the top.
The bottom has a rubber seal to stop crap getting in.
Baz is gonna machine up a new shaft out of 4140 (won't bend that) groove out a notch the length of the plastic bushing and insert a grease nipple. At least the load will be transfered to the tie rod ends (rather be busting those). But after 3 years of abuse I can't complain about bending one idler arm shaft.
He is toying with the idea of elongating the chassis mounting holes to relax the tension on the shaft to align it better to the steering arm.

Frank,

Can you please have him machine two shafts. You have no idea what a huge help that would be.

Let me know if we can work something out. Dead serious about this.

Oh.... and I toooooold you so.

Why did you pull the arm off, that sucker came of easy??? Tons of force??? LOL I put the arm in a vice, I backed off the nut a little with a impact wrench. Then I just beat the shiet out of the retaining nut. That sucker poped right off, I guess I just dont know my own strength.

Yep I'll ask him, could be a marketing opportunity here...........
Heavy duty Jabber idler arm assemblies
We tried the vice, hammer, pitman arm puller - she no come come off.
I think being bent on the taper really locked it in so he had to press it off, only took 15 secs

Haa, and you aussie guys are supposed to be bad ass.

Hi,
I've been reading all the talk about idler arms without thinking too much about it.
It has just ocurred that the early L300 has a relay shaft where the steering box would be on a Pajero. It has a thick looking shaft and the bolt pattern appeares to be similar to the early box. ( hav'nt checked)
Maybe this is stronger than the stock idler shaft as it is designed to take torque as well as support the tie rod loads.
Al

Frank keep me posted about that new shaft. I was going to look around locally, but it would probally be better for us to go in together on it.

Plus I am more destructive testing than you ever need... if it survives me, no one else can fawk em up.

It will be a little while Doug as we are flat out at work and have several things on the go at the moment but will let you know.

Replaced a stuffed pitman arm assembly over the weekend due to excessive slop.

I believe it was the same as the one you got Frank - ProMax for around $130. (had a 20% off voucher bringing it to just over $100)

Comes with two year warranty

Also has drilled hole half way up the shaft which allows for the fitting of a grease nipple (mmm nipple) Something the old unit was lacking.

Pulled the old one to pieces and found that all the play comes from the worn plastic bushes (the shaft on this one was not bent)

For the $100-$130 is it worth machining new shafts??

TWO YEAR WARRANTY = bend as many as you like

With just under three weeks to go on the warranty I will be replacing another bent idler arm assembly - let's see if the warranty is worth shiat.

Have been having a bit of trouble steering lately (more so than usual) and found that the idler arm assembly shaft is bent so badly that the ball joint that attaches to the drag link is hitting the chassis rail when turning.

This one will be the third in 5 years

Gotta luuurve a warranty !!

i had to return my aftermarket idler arm(powermax). took about 5 months to get a refund ! but at least they refunded.
the arm was only on for about 12 months!! didnt bother getting a replacement as i had already remade the plastic bushes for the shaft on the original one.
once these have worn out i will make up a 4140 shaft and some bronze bushes. that should make it last a while longer
cookie monster

no word from powermax yet - nearly 4 weeks on.

the look on the guys face was priceless though.

Noisey wrote:no word from powermax yet - nearly 4 weeks on.

the look on the guys face was priceless though.

I am going to look into getting a machine shop to make me up a new shaft like Frank was persuing.

Honestly I would rather pay 500 dollars just to be able to go through a trail ride without breaking the stupid thing.

Full credits to Powermax - they replaced the entire unit without any complaints (or questions). Took them a bit over 6 weeks but I can live with that as I did not follow it up at all over that period.