1973 idler arm conversion problem - Franken-Imperial

["Dick Benjamin" <DickB@xxxxxxxxx>]

The shorter idler arm will screw up the steering geometry in a turn, but it
should be possible to adjust  the car to track right straight ahead.  Maybe
the change is so slight that people don't notice it, but , I'd think it
would cause understeer in corners, and skids if you drive on slippery
surfaces because the Ackerman steering angles aren't being matched right.
Sounds unsafe to me.

Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: "kenyon wills" <imperialist60@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "IML" <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 9:44 AM
Subject: IML: 1973 idler arm conversion problem - Franken-Imperial


> My 1973 Imperial Idler Arm is defunct.  Rebuilds are $200 with no other
> choices for stock items that I can find.
>
> I bought a 73 NY'er idler arm after hearing (here) that it should swap
> out.  My estimate is that it is about 1.25 to 1.5 inches shorter than
> what's stock.
>
> The idler arm system appears to swing through a 90 degree arc as it
> traverses from lock to lock.
>
> What troubles me is that with the shorter arm on one side, that as the
> idler arm pivots, it will not keep the idler arm parallel to the firewall
> as it goes through a shorter arc than the pittman arm.  The linkage from
> the drag link to the wheel is not elastic and is not made to allow for
> this unequal motion.
>
> This seems to me to be a problem.
>
>
>
> One member said that he'd done this on his customer's cars without
> problem.  Maybe I'm missing something, but this just doesn't feel right.
> The part number that I purchased says that it's good for 65-73 full sized
> chryslers.
>
> Trying to get a matching chrysler pittman arm (assuming for the moment
> that it will fit an imp steering spindle) is a no-go, as those are $120,
> the idler arm that I bought is $30, and I'm doing all of this to get out
> from under a $200 rebuild fee for what I already have that's bad.  $50
> more not to have to deal with it?  I'll go stock and swallow the $50 in
> that scenario.
>
>
> The other thought that I have is to saw the chrysler arm in two and have
> an extension welded in.  This being a steering linkage and all, I don't
> like that one much unless the welder can convince me that it will be as
> strong or stronger than the cast arm was to begin with.
>
>
>
> Your thoughts?
>
>
>
> =====
> Kenyon Wills
> 6o LeBaron - America's Most Carefully Built Car
> 73 LeBaron - Long Low & Luxurious
>
> San Lorenzo/SF Bay Area
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
> http://mailplus.yahoo.com
>
>