Idler arm strip down

[phil-m]

Is it possible to replace the rod ends on the idler arm? they appear to be welded in on mine. Also, are they the same as the track rod ends?

[nistri]

Yes, it is possible and can be done with the idler box still on the car. You will need a good balljoint separator (scissor type). Andrea

[lancialulu]

The central track rod is I think one piece unit.

I would be interested if anyone has cut the weld to put a new ball joint end in?

Tim

[phil-m]

I have now remved the 2 rod ends from the idler arm. It is not an easy job without fairly specialised tools, with the right kit though I can now replace rod ends on idler arms. I think that the factory welded them up because;

• They need to be a set consistant length apart and orientation
• They do not need adjusting and do not want to come loose so a welded assy makes a little sense

[LanciAlan]

Given my own very limited engineering skills and equipment, I would seek to replace the whole arm with a good used one rather than repair it but can you share with us the method you used and any learning points? For example, and working from memory, I don't recall even noticing that the rod ends were  threaded or appeared capable of being separated from the main rod ... was a tubular sleeve welded over the threaded part and smoothed off to give the appearance of a single assembly? How did you do it?

[phil-m]

Ok, OK, I'll talk......

The rod is hollow with the ends threaded, female thread RH standard trackrod fine pitch. There is a machined hole through the wall at each end, this is filled with weld once the ends are screwed in and set to length and angle. The weld is not your standard type weld as it is 'relatively' soft, I carefully ground the weld away with a very special, very high speed miniature grinder with a diamond coated bit. Every so often I checked the rod end until I could just turn in slightly. Then I could define the weld edges around the hole and grind back radially and down into the rod end to clean it up. The strength of the arm is really unaffected, especially when a new rod end is refitted as there is no real bending moment on the hole as it has the rod end in it. I may though just Loctite it in place and silver solder it up. The weld is really to stop it moving and changing the centre distance from steering box to idler box.

[LanciAlan]

Thankyou, that makes sense.

I was trying to find a picture of one on the internet to refresh my memory of what the idler arm looks like but I will have a look under the bonnet next time I am there and will try to spot the welded up holes - if I can see the arm that is. My application is a 2000 HF and things are pretty crowded under there. Also, being power assisted, the steering gear may be different and more heavy duty than Fulvia.

When I had it out last year for a subframe re-build and clean-up I kept the whole assembly together (steering box, idler arm, idler box) which made it a bit awkward to handle during cleaning/painting. Now that I think of it, I seem to remember the arm has a step up and a step down to (just) clear the top of the gearbox...

Anyhow my problem now is a very clunky idler box which initially responded to adjustment but is going to have to come out for dismantling/replacement - this is where its great to have a parts car lying around!

[lancialulu]

In truth I dont think Idler arm is the correct term. Its probably called central track rod...

Tim

[LanciAlan]

Yes. The idler arm better describes the moving part of the idler box. How about idler linkage (bar/rod)?

[lancialulu]

well its not just the idler it connects to.....

Tim

[thecolonel]

Central steering control linkage.

[rogerelias]

And the arm that comes off a steering box, is called a pitman arm,(well if you have a landrover it is)

[Richard Fridd]

not a mans armpit then