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[conalnugent]

Need a new idler arm yet again on passenger side. What is the right name for this and whats the part number? How much can I expect to pay for one and where csn they be got

Cheers in advance

[RobG]

Steering Idler Arm. Part #9195731

[conalnugent]

Thanks.

Is just this part associated to the idler arm? Theres no other assembly or bracketry is there??

[conalnugent]

Also can one do both sides or are they left and right hand?

[RobG]

Is just this part associated to the idler arm?

Yep

Theres no other assembly or bracketry is there

Mounting bracket is bolted to lower bulkhead, normally bulletproof so just arm needed.

Also can one do both sides or are they left and right hand?

Driver`s side utilises a Pitman arm, totally different

[conalnugent]

robG your the man. 

all curiosities now sorted.  Just need to go buy some now.

I take it a well bugger idler arm will make racking, clacking general unhealthy noises???

[biggriffin]

Remember genuine only, as there seem to be some crappy o es doing the rounds on ebay.
 the hounrable member for Reading (wok and ham) be along soon and explain more

[TheBoy]

There are some shockingly bad ones from egay and LMF. I've got Lemforders on mine, but either there are a load of fake Lemforder stuff going around (and I've heard stories of ECP selling fake Lemforder wishbones), or Lemforder aftermarket part quality has gone right down the shitter.

[chrisgixer]

robG your the man. 

all curiosities now sorted.  Just need to go buy some now.

I take it a well bugger idler arm will make racking, clacking general unhealthy noises???

It can do, but you should notice some odd steering issues before it starts making noises. The steering box arm is on the drivers side and the idler is on the pas side. These are swapped sides at manufacture for left or right hand drive cars.
 So, if the idler on the pas side fails you'll notice it in the steering. As the drivers side wheel will be held firm by the steering box, but the idler will allow play on the pas side wheel. So you'll have adjust the steering wheel to allow for the change in toe (tracking) setting caused by the idler play, and possibly feel the pas side wheel flapping around.

There should be absolutely zero vertical play in the steering idler to centre tie at the rod ball joint end of the idler. Any flex while leaning and pulling on it (use all your strength) at all and you'll get tram lining / odd steering sensations.

If its bad enough to make noises then the bush has at least partly fallen out and the metal surfaces are banging together while the idler flaps up and down.

And as said, use genuine gm only to be as sure as possible to get a part that will last. They are over £100 retail. £90 on trade though.

Its worth checking for vertical play before ordering, if not done already.


I've had a lemforder idler from All German last less than 6 months. Which is poor. Very poor.

[VXL V6]

I've had a lemforder idler from All German last less than 6 months. Which is poor. Very poor.

But lets be clear here, the Lemforder item is direct from Lemforder / ZF when you buy from All German, therefore it is a Lemforder quality issue not an issue with All German Parts. 

[conalnugent]

Yeah pass front wheel always felt like a shopping trolley wheel and driver side felt like the only thing keeping me in a straight line. Tire ware on pass side was horrific munching the very inside few inches to a level that bad it looked like tire had an ice cream scoop taken to it while wheel was spinning.

Bad steering started first then a while after slight rattles but now steering is literally dangerous and the banging and rattling sounds like everythings going to fall out of it.

Got it back from mechanic today. He says its just the idler and 4 wheel alignment needs done. Must apologise for letting the old girl get like this.

Are the febi ones any good?

[joff]

Yeah pass front wheel always felt like a shopping trolley wheel and driver side felt like the only thing keeping me in a straight line. Tire ware on pass side was horrific munching the very inside few inches to a level that bad it looked like tire had an ice cream scoop taken to it while wheel was spinning.

Bad steering started first then a while after slight rattles but now steering is literally dangerous and the banging and rattling sounds like everythings going to fall out of it.
Got it back from mechanic today. He says its just the idler and 4 wheel alignment needs done. Must apologise for letting the old girl get like this.


Are the febi ones any good?

    Put a Lemforder one on the DTi a few months back just after the e-bay wish bones went on, but looking at this am now thinking that the idler may have gone again (All German Parts about £45 i think it was) but as you say it's Lemforder not All German Parts that have the quality issue. Have the DTi off the road as its so bad as i am refurbing a set of wishbones this week with poly bushes and new rear bushes and ball joint, hope to fit this weekend. never have i had an Omega drive like this.

     If the idler has gone again i will drop AGP a line and let them know as i am still on hold for a rear wheel bearing from them that is on back order. They can then send all the other stock items back to Lemforder to check. Looks like the dealer will be getting more of my overtime pay this month

[chrisgixer]

No experience of febi idler. If you try one please do let us know how it goes

Re All German. It's important to know the source of the part. Where as before I didn't trust Lemforder from ebay. As any Chinese shite could enter the system of supply, now sadly, I just don't trust Lemforder.

I wonder if it's worth contacting Zf directly re quality? Probably not.