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[car5car]

I removed idler arm and found free pay between inner bushing cylinder and axle.
Bushing consists of inner steel cylinder, rubber and outer steel cylinder. Which part is supposed to slide over which?
If inner cylinder is sliding over axle, it should have grease there (it doesn't). If rubber should slide inside outer cylinder, that means inner cylinder/axle free play can be repaired by epoxy.
Any ideas? I'll post pictures in couple minutes.

[ffcgary1]

Just replace with a new arm, dont trust your steering to epoxy, safety first, would you put your life and anyone elses life in the hands of a few dollops of glue, i know i wont.

[car5car]

Here is picture. It is not just about money, I have to wait almost a week for delivery,
http://s213.beta.photobucket.com/user/car6car/media/IderArmFinal_zps3a205189.jpg.html?sort=6&o=44

[05omegav6]

It doesn't slide at all, not now, not never

It is a single unit. The sleeve provides an element of damping, replacing it with epoxy will make it rigid, causing, at the very least, steering harshness, leading to accelerated wear and the potential failure of the steering gear.

Any component failure resulting from this, and the consequences thereof, stop with You.

The only realistic course of action is to replace it with a new one. Re using that one whilst waiting for the new one to arrive might just be the last thing you do

[ffcgary1]

Money issue does not come into the reply i made to you, it is a saftey issue that i was concerned about, if you have to wait a week to get the part then so be it.
Gary

[dbug]

Epoxy, elastoplast, sellotape - no buy and fit a new one mate

[05omegav6]

Epoxy, elastoplast, string, cableties, sellotape - no buy and fit a new one mate

[car5car]

Problem is solved! I glued bushing to axle by JB Weld (epoxy). Then I greased arm and installed it on bushing.
I will check it after a few miles, it will not last long probably.
Now rubber is turning inside outer sleeve.

[feeutfo]

What do you guys do for parts over there ? For things like wishbones, cam cover gaskets, plugs, exhausts etc?

[car5car]

What do you guys do for parts over there ? For things like wishbones, cam cover gaskets, plugs, exhausts etc?

There are no aftermarket parts for rare cars. Not so many Cateras are still on road, but plenty on junk yard.
Cheapest idler arm I found was $114 shipped. Dealer wanted $200, but I talked parts manager down to $142.
I was going to check junk yard cars before I got idea to use epoxy.
About a month ago I installed motor mount from some Ford. $26
I paid $72 for ABS module from junk yard.

[feeutfo]

I don't want to make you feel unwelcome or anything but... but have you tried the Cadilac forum, there's a good section for the catera, might give you some tips for parts in the u.s. perhaps?

[dbug]

Problem is solved! I glued bushing to axle by JB Weld (epoxy). Then I greased arm and installed it on bushing.
I will check it after a few miles, it will not last long probably.
Now rubber is turning inside outer sleeve.

Why ask for advice if you totally ignore it mate?

You will now be driving a car which is dangerous

[car5car]

Problem is solved! I glued bushing to axle by JB Weld (epoxy). Then I greased arm and installed it on bushing.
I will check it after a few miles, it will not last long probably.
Now rubber is turning inside outer sleeve.

Why ask for advice if you totally ignore it mate?

You will now be driving a car which is dangerous

I was not asking, if I should replace idler arm, I was asking which part of it is supposed to turn (slide) over which.
Part replacement is easy, but expensive solution usually. A lot of people pay for engine replacement, when it is not needed.
I used to buy flood cars from auctions, had fun repairing them.

[05omegav6]

Given than the individual pieces which make up the idler arm are not available, even from the manufacturer, the only option is to replace the arm...

Your analagy with replacing complete engines against repairing them is irrelevant because most of the individual components which make up the engine are available.

The idler arm assembly is the basic component with NO moving parts. The fact you were able to break it down simply proves just how fubared it was

[05omegav6]

Problem is solved! I glued bushing to axle by JB Weld (epoxy). Then I greased arm and installed it on bushing.
I will check it after a few miles, it will not last long probably. You reckon
Now rubber is turning inside outer sleeve. Because it's 'dangle berries'ed .