55/56 dodge idler arm identification
hondaman1974
Posted 2025-07-06 12:26 PM (#640697)
Subject: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification


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hi all, would anybody know the brand / style of idler arm this is? i dont think its a moog k255 as it uses the threaded sleeves and roller bearing/ washer. this was on a 56 dodge coronet that was a parts car. it is now on my 55 dodge and really tightened up the suspension slop caused by the idler arm. would like to find another for my 56 custom royal. thanks!
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hondaman1974
Posted 2025-07-06 12:40 PM (#640699 - in reply to #640697)
Subject: RE: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification


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hondaman1974
Posted 2025-07-06 12:41 PM (#640700 - in reply to #640697)
Subject: RE: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification


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hondaman1974
Posted 2025-07-06 12:44 PM (#640701 - in reply to #640697)
Subject: RE: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification


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56D500boy
Posted 2025-07-06 1:08 PM (#640702 - in reply to #640697)
Subject: RE: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification



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hondaman1974 - 2025-07-06 9:26 AM
i dont think its a moog k255 as it uses the threaded sleeves and roller bearing/ washer. this was on a 56 dodge coronet that was a parts car. it is now on my 55 dodge and really tightened up the suspension slop caused by the idler arm. would like to find another for my 56 custom royal. thanks!


Tony: The OE PN for the bare idler arm is 1611 209 for 55-56 Plymouths and Dodges. That does not include the threaded bushings. I think bushing PN is 1634544.
I can find the bare idler arms but not the separate bushings. What I can find is idler arms and bushings as a set.

Bernbaum supposedly has a complete idler arm unit (with bushings):

https://www.oldmoparts.com/front-axle/idler-arm-d-180

I previously investigated alternative sources of 55-56 Dodge/Plymouth V8 idler arms (the sixes didn't use one) and found old kits from Elgin and Moog.
The Moog kit was a K-149.





I did find one ball bearing kit but it was for the senior cars so I don't know if it would fit on a 55-56 Dodge:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/145719845118

Searching just now for a 1956 Dodge Moog K-149 turned up a kit with a decent price:

https://www.pre60s.com/product/idler-arm-dodge-plymouth-1955-1956-2/



My previous investigations:

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=79083





Edited by 56D500boy 2025-07-06 3:11 PM
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Powerflite
Posted 2025-07-06 2:27 PM (#640703 - in reply to #640697)
Subject: Re: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification



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Those ball bearing kits were a common aftermarket upgrade for these cars. They occasionally pop up on Ebay.
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56D500boy
Posted 2025-07-06 3:45 PM (#640706 - in reply to #640703)
Subject: Re: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification



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Powerflite - 2025-07-06 11:27 AM
Those ball bearing kits were a common aftermarket upgrade for these cars. They occasionally pop up on Ebay.


At some point (probably in 2017) I found an aftermarket kit that improved the situation with the idler arm in my
56 Dodge. Shown here incidentally as part of an exhaust thread that I started.

I see bearings and somekind of retainer bar (??). It's worked thats all I can say.

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hondaman1974
Posted 2025-07-06 9:42 PM (#640713 - in reply to #640697)
Subject: RE: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification


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thanks for the input. i was really impressed with the difference it made to the steering of the car. no more wandering when hitting a bump. i will keep checking for the bearing support upgrade! anybody know of a part number for this bearing kit?

Edited by hondaman1974 2025-07-06 9:44 PM
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hondaman1974
Posted 2025-07-12 12:15 PM (#640792 - in reply to #640697)
Subject: RE: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification


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anybody know of a good brand of idler arm bearing kit with part numbers for 55/56 dodge? ive been searching and can only come up with kits for desoto/chrysler. Tony
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56D500boy
Posted 2025-07-12 3:05 PM (#640793 - in reply to #640792)
Subject: RE: 55/56 dodge idler arm identification



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hondaman1974 - 2025-07-12 9:15 AM
anybody know of a good brand of idler arm bearing kit with part numbers for 55/56 dodge? ive been searching and can only come up with kits for desoto/chrysler.


In searching for 55/56 Dodge kits, I found those ones for Chrysler and Desotos. I also found one for a 57-58 Buick by "Andrew" (same brand as some of the Chrylser/Desoto kits)

So I searched "Andrew Parts Ball Bearing Idler Arm Kits listing" and that resulted in this group, including Andrew Kits and CMC kits (which might be from the same source):

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Andrew+Parts+Ball+Bearing+Idler...









Edited by 56D500boy 2025-07-12 3:06 PM
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