Bearing Kit for 1st Gen F-body Idler Arm

Jeff Kempton · 09-25-2014, 03:08 PM

There's a bearing kit available to replace the bushing in the idler arm of '55-57 Chevys that reduces steering effort when using a manual box. Does anyone know of a similar kit for the 1st Gen Camaros and Firebirds? Manufacturer's name and part # would be great if you have it.

Thanks, Jeff Kempton

SSDiv6 · 09-25-2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Kempton

There's a bearing kit available to replace the bushing in the idler arm of '55-57 Chevys that reduces steering effort when using a manual box. Does anyone know of a similar kit for the 1st Gen Camaros and Firebirds? Manufacturer's name and part # would be great if you have it.

Thanks, Jeff Kempton

Check out Port City Racing.

Jeff Kempton · 09-25-2014, 06:40 PM

I couldn't find anything on the Port City site and after checking several other sites it appears that they aren't available for anything other than '55-57 Chevys and '62-67 Chevy IIs. It may be because of the different design of the idler arm compared to those models.

SSDiv6 · 09-26-2014, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Kempton

I couldn't find anything on the Port City site and after checking several other sites it appears that they aren't available for anything other than '55-57 Chevys and '62-67 Chevy IIs. It may be because of the different design of the idler arm compared to those models.

Jeff, what year is your car?

FED 387 · 09-26-2014, 10:38 AM

Supposedly just possibly any idler arms from 68-92 F body cars should fit--- NOT SURE but that's what I've been told---only difference is the pitman arms for power or manual steering---see if you can find a arm from any year other than other than what you have and see if it will match up--if it does Bingo!!! you know you can get bushed idlers for 82-92 cars so your problem is solved if not keep searching--FED 387

Jeff Kempton · 09-27-2014, 11:11 PM

It's a 1969 Camaro. Stock replacement bushed idler arms are readily available from a variety of sources, but I liked how much the roller bearing kit reduced the steering effort in '55-57 Chevys with manual steering, and wondered if the same type of upgrade was available for my Camaro.

Thanks for all the suggestions both here and PM'd to me.

Jeff

09-25-2014, 03:08 PM	#1
Jeff Kempton Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 238 Likes: 1,043 Liked 66 Times in 30 Posts	Bearing Kit for 1st Gen F-body Idler Arm There's a bearing kit available to replace the bushing in the idler arm of '55-57 Chevys that reduces steering effort when using a manual box. Does anyone know of a similar kit for the 1st Gen Camaros and Firebirds? Manufacturer's name and part # would be great if you have it. Thanks, Jeff Kempton

09-25-2014, 06:40 PM	#3
Jeff Kempton Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 238 Likes: 1,043 Liked 66 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Bearing Kit for 1st Gen F-body Idler Arm I couldn't find anything on the Port City site and after checking several other sites it appears that they aren't available for anything other than '55-57 Chevys and '62-67 Chevy IIs. It may be because of the different design of the idler arm compared to those models.

09-26-2014, 10:38 AM	#5
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,421 Likes: 529 Liked 333 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Bearing Kit for 1st Gen F-body Idler Arm Supposedly just possibly any idler arms from 68-92 F body cars should fit--- NOT SURE but that's what I've been told---only difference is the pitman arms for power or manual steering---see if you can find a arm from any year other than other than what you have and see if it will match up--if it does Bingo!!! you know you can get bushed idlers for 82-92 cars so your problem is solved if not keep searching--FED 387 Last edited by FED 387; 09-26-2014 at 10:39 AM. Reason: added word "any"

09-27-2014, 11:11 PM	#6
Jeff Kempton Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 238 Likes: 1,043 Liked 66 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Bearing Kit for 1st Gen F-body Idler Arm It's a 1969 Camaro. Stock replacement bushed idler arms are readily available from a variety of sources, but I liked how much the roller bearing kit reduced the steering effort in '55-57 Chevys with manual steering, and wondered if the same type of upgrade was available for my Camaro. Thanks for all the suggestions both here and PM'd to me. Jeff