importfan21

I want to replace the idler arm bushing before I take it to my mechanic to get all of the other bushings and ball joints replaced, since he wants ~$100 to swap the idler arm bushing and from what I read it's an easy job. Thing is, I can't seem to find it. I've read that it's behind a [heat] shield/plate on the passenger side, 2 bolts to take off the shield. I've looked at the suspension diagrams but can't find the thing first-hand.

Help/pics?

503C43 ////AMG

It's connected to the drag link, here are instructions from the WIS:





Hope this helps

importfan21

The instructions are certainly helpful and so is the more idler arm-area-specific diagram. Based on the diagram, this is located on the driver's side of the drag link then? If so, I've been looking on the wrong side the whole time.

97C28O

Have you gotten it replaced?

I would liek to carify some things...

Passenger side, center looking to the right wheel:


Driver side, center looking to the left wheel:


Which is the idler arm..? looks like the passenger side

importfan21

Yes I did get it replaced. It's the passenger side (as pictured; that's it). Good luck getting it out though. I couldn't muscle it out in that tight of a spot not on a lift, so I took it to my indie.

nd4spd13

This EIS diagrams are super helpful but unless I'm blind it doesn't actually list what to torque the bolts back to. Does anyone know the answer to this? Replacing bushing tomorrow to try and eliminate a bad steering wobble.

nd4spd13

Ok update from removal in progress: this thing is an absolute b!tch. Definitely doesn't help that I'm only on jackstands and not a lift, but jeez.
FYI, the diagram above must be for pre facelift models, as mine is curved like an S and attaches to the bottom of the drag link. Does anyone know how to get the idler arm off of the drag link? I have removed the bolt on the end of it but it is still very attached. When I twist the idler arm the spindle moves with it, but does not turn on the other end of the drag link. I've tried hitting it with a hammer to see if it will just slip off but it won't budge

Somalia757

Probably have to use a press to press it out, when we do stuff like this at work lately they just have been sending the whole units with a new bushing and we send the old part for a core.

Also you could use a vise to hold the arm then use something as a punch and hammer it out..

nd4spd13

Shame no one pointed out before that the post facelift version is a lot less DIY friendly than the pre.
I'll keep trying with the hammer tomorrow, though it didn't seem to budge at all today.

Even if I got the whole idler arm with bushing like here http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/liv...1717043OES.JPG I'd still be in the same place of getting the arm off from the drag link, like at the bottom of Saab's pic here http://s788.photobucket.com/user/vin..._0164.jpg.html

vinceC

Separating the taper of the ball joint "pins" from the drag link (and the drag link from the pitman arm for that matter) is really tough. I have the expensive M-B tool and haven't ever succeeded in separating them. I wish you well. If I ever have to deal with them again I'm going to send the job to a shop.

DRBC43AMG

I guess we have all been warned....

Somalia757

Thats true its a pain!!! Hope you figure something out. Have you tried any lube or penetrating oil?

DRBC43AMG

A touch of heat perhaps?

Super B

+1 and maybe a cold wet rag. Try to get that taper in the joint to shrink up after expanding.

nd4spd13

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I ended up not replacing it. Didn't know there was a joint involved, and didn't want to go and rent a pickle wrench and all that when my tech said the bushing wouldn't help my wobble
But I did put a new steering damper on and cleaned up my exhaust tips