TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Dec 28, 2003 7:39 pm

I posted this in another forum and stumped the group , thought I would see what you guys had to say about it

I just completed the front suspension re-build for my 72 and have an idler arm problem.

The arm I speak of is on the passenger side connecting to the tie rod opposite the steering box. The type I have is the one VW made the bracket to hold the assembly from an aluminum casting using the Allen Head shoulder bolt as opposed to the steel fabrication with the “T” pin in it. I have replaced the bushing with a stock type rubber bushing and torqued the idler arm to the bolt using the recommended specifications published in the Bentley Manual. The problem I am having is that the arm tightens up to the bushing as opposed to the shoulder of the bolt going through the bushing. Thinking that I did something wrong I purchased a brass bushing but had the same problem, that didn’t change anything so I purchased another rubber bushing from another suppler, still had the problem. Then I went to Small Car Connection and got an entire assembly off of another car but I had the same issue using those parts with yet another new bushing. Further, I called Glen at BFY who had just parted out a 72 like mine and he sent me the shoulder bolt from that car thinking my bolt(s) was worn but I still had the same problem. According to Bentley and the ETAK CD I have all the parts I need and have them assembled in order of the pictures as well as the way the one from Chris’s looked when I received that one.

What am I doing wrong? I have gone through 4 bushings, 3 bolts and two housings. When I torque the idler arm on the assembly it will not move or the entire inner rubber bushing turns and I know that can’t be the way VW intended this to work. Or is it?

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Mike,

Mon Dec 29, 2003 9:33 pm

I know the parts your speaking of, but I'm not sure why you're having such a hard time. Maybe give the guys at Topline a call. They've helped me out with a few things in the past, and they do a lot of work with Superbeetles.