sticky/tech article idler arm bushing replacement

[tommylg]

1972 Super

New: tie rods, control arm bushings, ball joints, steering stabilizer, sway bar bushings all red poly.

The shop is replacing the idler arm bushing and doing an alignment.

I would like to take a precise write-up/tech article on the procedure to the tech who does know what he is doing. The write-up is just a safe guard and to make me feel better, ha.

Thanks and good day,
Tommy
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1971 Standard

[Glenn]

The polyurethane bushings tend to creak and degrade when exposed to oil.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

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עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[tommylg]

Please correct me if I am missing something.

I found an image of the idler arm bracket on a bench.

It appears 4 bolts hold the bracket on the inner fender.
Undo the four bolts and carefully remove the tie rod end.
Press out the old bushing and install the new one.

What are the torque specs for the bracket and the bolt thru the bushing.

Tommy
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1971 Standard

[Cusser]

My 1971 Super Beetle in mid-1990s.

I had the too-familiar shimmy in the steering wheel at about 43 mph. I had play in the idler arm bushing, so I removed the idler from the VW and took it to a local VW shop, who (with some trouble, they told me) removed the old steel/rubber/steel factory idler bushing; then shop pressed in the new bushing (same type).

I installed that, replaced 4 bad tie rod ends and front 2 bushings which took care of my shimmy.

I believe there are metal idler bushings also available these days.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[shaggysboss]

It sounds like you've got a solid plan in place! For the idler arm bushing replacement, you could check out a few DIY guides or forums like VWVortex or TheSamba for step-by-step instructions. I’m sure your tech will know what they’re doing, but having a reference for peace of mind is always a good idea.

[tommylg]

Thanks for the replies.
I went under the car - images below.
Image 1 is what I referenced earlier from a Samba post.
The next three are from this cold morning.
My bracket appears to have 2 more bolts than image 1.
Additionally, it appears I am missing 2 bolts.
Now I am really flummoxed!
So, what size are the bolts so I can source before I have the bushing installed.
Any reply welcome.
Thank, Tom

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1971 Standard

[Cusser]

[a8ked]

Those are the turn stops.
They are typically adjusted to prevent the wheel and/or tire from rubbing on the suspension and body/pan when the wheel is turned fully to either direction.

[tommylg]

Awesome guys!

https://www2.cip1.com/vwc-411-417-317/?srsltid=Afm...PFR9GwWIGz

I talked to Cip1 and tech support and the nice guy said 8x1.25 for the bracket bolts and the "stop" bolts.

Time to get it fixed!

thanks again,
Tommy
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1971 Standard

[tommylg]

One more question: what is the length of the bolts?
Tommy
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1971 Standard