I just checked my July 1, 1972 edition of Chilton's Crash Parts book for Chrysler part numbers. Interestingly, they listed the idler arm and pitman arm (2835853 and 3004813, respectively) all the way back to the 1967 Imperials. As the part number series indicates, the idler arm part number goes with 1968 models and the pitman arm goes with 1970 models (the first time that number was issued). So, it would appear that the original '67 part number was changed to the mentioned part number for the 1968 model year and similar was done for the pitman arm in 1970. So, from what I found those two parts are the same from the 1967-1972 (and probably 1973 model year) Imperials.
The other thing I discovered is that most of the parts for the Chrysler C-body cars do have different part numbers, even if they are one digit different than the similar part for an Imperial. BUT, there can be some other issues involved in that if there is anything different about the part, the parts package of nuts, cotter keys, etc., or a different style of rubber grease boot, the grease itself, or even if it's painted instead of natural cast, THAT would generate a different part number even for a part that otherwise is identical in all respects to the other one with the different part number. On the other hand, it could also be the diameter of the stud (and threads) or even the size of the ball socket that is internal that you can't see (to better handle a heavier vehicle).
At first, I looked at just the idler and pitman arms, but then I looked at the other parts too. It seems that the whole Imperial steering linkage is different than the similar Chrysler C-body cars--at least by the part numbers.
The other side of the deal is that I suspect that Chrysler would not have the resources to tool up and warehouse two complete steering linkages for the same body series of vehicle (as the fuselage C-body and Imperials were of the same suspension architecture, typically). Perhaps I'm incorrect in that presumption? But they could use the same basic castings and put higher quality rubber boots on them, for example. Lots of things that someone that was "in there" or was in the service departments back then might be the only ones to know about. Yet, from my experiences with another automobile manufacturer's (what Chrysler used to call "Order Interpreters) call center people (on the parts side of things), if that part number is not listed for a particular application in the catalog, it doesn't fit that application. If you press them for further information (which the later generations of these people don't know about), then we get the dialogue about "not
being in the vehicle modification business" (probably for liability concerns).
Now then, when you go to the parts house to get the counterperson to look up the parts, you can specify "Chrysler Imperial" and also have them check "Chrysler Newport/New Yorker" for the same model years, plus following the Imperial parts numbers back to the (in this particular situation) '67 models too, for good measure. Sometimes, those aftermarket/replacement manufactuers do have some errors in their books, but sometimes they might know what the actual differences are in the Chrysler and Imperial items and then design one that will be fine with both applications--as the higher quality replacement parts people will verify their part against a factory OEM item for fit and installation correctness as part of their validation process. Other lower level vendors might use the "It's the same" orientation, though. Sometimes, too, the wrong parts get put in the right box, which might go undiscovered for quite some time in a low volume part. Therefore,
make sure that what the vendor's catalog list matches the application for that part in the Chrysler parts catalog and then carefully match it against the production (hopefully) item on the vehicle prior to installation.
Another defining situation would be the Hollander Interchange Manual that is used by the salvage yards. I believe that publication might also list the differences between the different year models or similar vehicles, or what modifications might be needed for it to fit different model years of the vehicle.
My gut suspicion is that the Imperial and Chrysler front steering linkages would be the same in the '70-'73 model years (and probably back to 1969 as that's when that particular body series began). I would not see any compelling reason for them to have a different geometry or whatever as that part of the subframe would probably be more common than not between them. But then again the steering gear part numbers were one digit apart between Imperials and Chrysler C-body cars . . .
I concur that steering and braking systems are two areas where quality counts, but I've seen some of the "off brand" items that seemed to be just a good as the name brand items (in a few cases). I also suspect there might be some other NOS vendors who might have come across some of the original Chrysler parts. They would be advertisers in the various Mopar magazines (Mopar Muscle, Mopar Action, etc.), but not necessarily Hemmings or similar.
Hopefully, that NOS part you pay big bucks for is not all rusted up inside as it might not have gotten enough grease in it when it was built or the existing grease dried out over the years (the "return privilege" is one advantage of buying from an auto supply entity or going the reman route). In any event, if you did buy that NOS part and it was not useable, then you'd at least have a good reference item on that issue.
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