New Steering Idler-bearing type...Question?

[Fiat88]

I got my new idler in the mail today and noticed it doesn't have rubber bushings like my old one which is also a non oil type. Is there two different type of bearing type idlers? Does this type use bushings? Thanks.
http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=873705

[124JOE]

the ones in the pic has plastic caps on them
undo the nut and pull off the cap

[Fiat88]

Hmm, don't see any plastic caps. All that came with it are the two large washers and nuts.

[manoa matt]

Yes there are two main types of steering idlers. The oil filled hydraulic dampening type, and the non oil filled/bushing/bearing type.

There are two variations on the non oil filled idlers. One has a splined output shaft and uses rubber bushings while the other has a smooth shaft and uses ball-bearings.

http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index. ... ts_id=3107

http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index. ... ts_id=3106

[Fiat88]

Yes there are two main types of steering idlers. The oil filled hydraulic dampening type, and the non oil filled/bushing/bearing type.

There are two variations on the non oil filled idlers. One has a splined output shaft and uses rubber bushings while the other has a smooth shaft and uses ball-bearings.

http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index. ... ts_id=3107

http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index. ... ts_id=3106

My splined shaft one didn't come with rubber bushings, now what? Do I have to use the ones from my old one?
Don't both non oil filled idlers use ball bearings? I see the bearings in the new one. Thanks Matt.

[manoa matt]

I have a spare idler that use the rubber bushings at home. I've never opened it up to see if it also has ball bearings or what type of output shaft it has...but I can check and report back.

[Fiat88]

That would be greatly appreciated!

[manoa matt]

Mine has a smooth shaft and rubber bushings. Fiat part #:4142725 I'll send pictures to your email. I got a quote on that rear seat foam too.

[124JOE]

Hmm, don't see any plastic caps. All that came with it are the two large washers and nuts.

the link you posted was for tierod ends.
they have plastic cap un the threads and over the rubber dust sheild.

joe

[manoa matt]

John,

The earliest Fiat idlers were a simple design that used rubber bushings to provide some resistance on the idler arm shaft. The early idler arm housings looked like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Fiat ... 1077wt_939

And used these bushings: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Idler-Ar ... 2666wt_939

Later Fiat changed the design, and instead of rubber bushings, the aluminum housing was enlarged and ball bearings were used. Now, all the idlers being offered are of the later ball bearing design with the option of having a smooth or splined shaft.

[Fiat88]

John,

The earliest Fiat idlers were a simple design that used rubber bushings to provide some resistance on the idler arm shaft. The early idler arm housings looked like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Fiat ... 1077wt_939

And used these bushings: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Idler-Ar ... 2666wt_939

Later Fiat changed the design, and instead of rubber bushings, the aluminum housing was enlarged and ball bearings were used. Now, all the idlers being offered are of the later ball bearing design with the option of having a smooth or splined shaft.

Oh ok that clears things up a lot. So all I have to do is take the idler arm off and transfer it to the new one?

[manoa matt]

"So all I have to do is take the idler arm off and transfer it to the new one?"

Yep, that's it.

[Fiat88]

Thanks Matt again! Let me know about the seat foam when you get a chance.

[Fiat88]

John,

The earliest Fiat idlers were a simple design that used rubber bushings to provide some resistance on the idler arm shaft. The early idler arm housings looked like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Fiat ... 1077wt_939

And used these bushings: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Idler-Ar ... 2666wt_939

Later Fiat changed the design, and instead of rubber bushings, the aluminum housing was enlarged and ball bearings were used. Now, all the idlers being offered are of the later ball bearing design with the option of having a smooth or splined shaft.

Matt,
Brought my car down tonight to the shop for them to work on tomorrow on putting in the new idler on but now I don't think their going to be able to transfer the old arm to the new idler.
"The hydraulic idlers have a splined shaft. The rubber bushed
idler has a tapered shaft. The new ball bearing idler has a
splined shaft like the hydraulic. If you have the rubber bushed
one you will need to get a arm off the other type."

[Fiat88]

I finally got the correct splined shaft arm off a hydraulic idler. Two questions, the new idler came with just the two large washers which look to seal the ball bearings and just the the two top and bottom nuts. Does the way I have it look like everything is in the right order? If everything looks good, I will tighten the nuts down tomorrow after work and install it.