Wrong Idler Arm Help

Stanglover said:

I'm not sure if I can help, but are you saying the entire front brakes and hubs are from a different car? Am I reading it right? If that is the case, others who have done such a swop might help better.
The pic you show is definitely wrong for a stock idler arm. There are a few aftermarket idler arms out there that have different shape to the arm itself, but the geometry needs to be the same. Some time ago, I posted a sketch to illustrate this. I have attached it below. However, in this sketch, I chose to use the top of the center link bushing to show the critical dimension, Y. It would have been more correct to have drawn this line from the bottom of the bushing to the datum line I chose, as this is the actual contact point. However the meaning is the same.
It seems the best replacement option is the Rare Parts one, but NPD for instance also have a good idler arm #3355-1. However you will likely need to slot the top hole upwards as I found out.

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fairlane11 said:

Hello, I need some help. I purchased a steering replacement kit for my 71 Mach 1 (302) car. The kit is from Kentucky Mustang so I’m not questioning that I was given the correct parts. It is an early production 71 so it may be left over 70 parts (not sure). I believe the steering may have been changed/upgraded at some point.The reason I say that, is I had major issues with the brake set up that’s on the car. The tie rods ends are very similar in shape so I wasn’t really concerned with the fitment when I started taking it apart. It wasn’t till I removed the idler arm and bracket when I noticed I was in trouble. The bolt holes in the frame do not match up. The existing part has an oblong hole at the top of the bracket and it is also straight where it enters the arm. The arms are different as well. I recently replaced the brakes and found the rotors and calipers were from a mid 70’s ford (used 75 Grand Torino parts). Can anyone identify this idler arm? I’ve attached images of both the arms as well as what brake parts I had to use. Thanks in advance.

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giantpune said:

I seem to remember a couple threads around here talking about the various aftermarket idler arms and discussing how wrong most of them are. I bet if you type "idler arm" in the search box, you wind up at some of them. This is the one I ended up buying.

https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/71idler.html

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giantpune said:

I seem to remember a couple threads around here talking about the various aftermarket idler arms and discussing how wrong most of them are. I bet if you type "idler arm" in the search box, you wind up at some of them. This is the one I ended up buying.

https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/71idler.html

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fairlane11 said:

The image in the link does look to be the correct arm. Thanks

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Stanglover said:

Here's a pic of the original idler arm on my 71 Mach.

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fairlane11 said:

Thanks, is that a P/S P/B car? That looks like the one that I have. I wonder if Kentucky Mustang gave me a manual steering part?

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fairlane11 said:

I believe, I may have found what I was looking for. It looks as though my whole steering and braking systems were previously replaced/swapped with 1975 Granada parts. I’m attaching a few more images. Some are mine, but the last 2 are what I have found online. They seem to be what I need. Once I have the Granada Idler arm in hand. I’ll update the tread. I do appreciate all the replies.

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