Idler arm adjustment

[Cosmo]

I have noticed that the idler arm on my 1969 Spider is a little loose. The shaft slides up and down about 1mm in the bearing housing. It doesn't appear to be a sloppy fit side to side, so I don't think the bearings are worn. Is there an end float type of adjustment that would remove the play, or is some movement acceptable?

[ghnl]

I haven't taken one apart but here's a picture from the shop manual. It sure seems like there are enough washers in there that they must have some influence on the free play... #5 are 'washers' as is #10

[Cosmo]

I took the cap off the top of the idler and there is a nut, held with a lock washer. When it slides up and down it looks like the top bush is moving within the housing, not the shaft itself - odd. I can't see what is happening at the bottom but I'll try to tighten up the nut and see if it removes the free play.

[aikendrum105]

Hi mate,

I had the same problem with the idler in my Duetto - If you take off the nut and the lockwasher, there's a special washer(s) underneath with a small hole offset from centre that slips over a tiny roll pin to stop it turning with the idler arm. Mine was marked with a size in mm I think - appears to be a precision spacer - perhaps they measured the required size at the factory and fitted the right one - and over time with wear, you need to add a slightly larger one. Mine still had ~1mm vertical slop even with the nut tightened right down.

I made another washer (about 1.1mm) and fitted it here on top of the existing one, (with plenty of grease in between, as these parts do rotate against eachother) then put the lock washer and nut back on and tighened up until the up/down slop was gone, then peened the lock washer over to lock in place.


I think the only other option is to remove the idler completely and inspect the washers / spacers in the base of the housing . As far as I can tell the internal bushings only control axial movement of the shaft, not vertical.

If you do end up pulling the whole idler housing out - consider fitting a grease nipple a-la something either Papajam or Osso did elsewhere on the list (memory like a seive me)

Anyway - this sorted mine out - good luck with yours !

Scott.

[Cosmo]

Did it reduce the play in the steering wheel or did you notice any difference in the steering feel at all?

[aikendrum105]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmo Did it reduce the play in the steering wheel or did you notice any difference in the steering feel at all?