Control arm, idler arm clearance.

[isomswim]

Bit of weird issue. I've been working on my '79 for what seems like forever. I'm starting to put the front axle, suspension and steering back together. I got a new idler arm for the steering but when I go to bolt it up I am contacting the control arm. I'm not sure if 78-79 has a different mounting point than 72-77/78. Anyone with a 79 got any pictures of the mounting and clearance of the idler arm. 

[2wheel-lee]

Front axle? Do you have pictures of what's going on?

[Crashtd420]

Do you have the old idler arm for comparison?

[isomswim]

11 minutes ago, Crashtd420 said:

Do you have the old idler arm for comparison?

I don't, or can't find it. 

 

By front axle I mean that area of the vehicle. It's a 2wd truck

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I do know that the 720 has a steering box and idler arm that mount outside the frame. Is it possible you got the wrong one?

[isomswim]

7 minutes ago, Stoffregen Motorsports said:

I do know that the 720 has a steering box and idler arm that mount outside the frame. Is it possible you got the wrong one?

No it's a completely different look and style that the 720 from what I can tell with a quick Google search. I have another one on order that is the "correct" number match for the year model but my other option is to trim the control arm

[isomswim]

Finally got home and got some pics of my dilemma. Every diagram or picture I can find says it should be bolted this way. anyone got anything else different. Been so long ago that I took it all apart. 

Edited April 16, 2019 by isomswim

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Well, it doesn't look right, that's for sure.

 

It would be nice to have an original part for direct comparison.

[620slodat]

I have a 1973 620, and the orientation of your idler arm looks like what I remember for the 1973. I currently have the tie rod and idler arm off so I can't do a direct comparison.

 

Don

[G-Duax]

My '73, for what it's worth...

 

[620slodat]

G-Duax got some real good pics of the 1973 idler arm and the clearances to the lower control arm. Plenty of space between the lower control arm and the idler arm, somewhere around an inch. Isomswim, how much space do you have between the idler arm and the lower control arm? How long is your idler arm? What is the length of the movable part of the idler arm from the collar up next to the pivot? From that same collar, what is the distance to the lower control arm? Can you get pics of where you measured from?

 

Don

[datzenmike]

The control arm doesn't look the same either.  Home made?? 

[isomswim]

The control arm is Dorman I believe but for ball joint truck it doesn't look much different from others Ive seen. To me the idler arm itself just seems too long. 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Measure the C to C on the pitman arm. It should have the same measurements as the idler arm. If it doesn't, then the idler is incorrect. If the measurements are the same, then maybe it's an incorrect frame bracket or the holes aren't drilled correctly.

[isomswim]

So who'd a thought. Got another new idler and everything clears no problem this one stated in the sale on eBay that it was for the 78-79 trucks. You can barely tell the difference but it's just enough and makes a huge difference.

 

[distributorguy]

When you install it, do yourself a favor and put the upper bolt in from the outside of the frame, tighten both of them down, and weld the other nut to the new idler arm bracket.  Since you need to drop the steering to remove/install the engine, this makes the job a little easier.