idler arm oil?

htchevyii · Post by **htchevyii** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:11 pm

So, has anyone actually figured out what type of oil the idler takes? I know the general consensus is gear oil, but the stuff I dumped out today was clear, (almost like brake fluid). It also smelled like fish, so my guess is as good as yours? Cod liver oil, maybe?

pope · Post by **pope** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:48 pm

Trey,
Well, I heard that cod liver oil can make you run well. LOL. Now you could really be sleeping with the fishes.

I wouldnt doubt that they used a form of mineral oil in it originally. I used Mobil 1 synthetic SAE 90 EP and it is close to clear.

NetePete · Post by **NetePete** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:03 am

I just overhauled my idler assy today. After cleaning everything up and making up some new bushings, I packed it with high temp grease. It should repel water and be good for along time.

SpiderHead · Post by **SpiderHead** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:40 am

pope wrote:Trey,
Well, I heard that cod liver oil can make you run. LOL. Now you could really be sleeping with the fishes.

lol....

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:34 am

After I put in the 90w in mine I was told it should have been a lighter oil but the 90w seems to be fine.

pope · Post by **pope** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:06 am

Pete,
I am not sure that you should have grease packed the idler. It has a ball bearing chamber near the top that diverts oil under pressure to the opposite side of the chamber when you turn, and does the opposite when you turn the other way. It acts as sort of a valve. I dont see how the grease can move throught the bearings to equalize the pressure like oil can. If it cant go through there, it wont allow you to turn.
What I dont know is if your idler is aftermarket and then uses grease. The original uses oil.

I think you should get some more advice on this.

baltobernie · Post by **baltobernie** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:31 am

htchevyii wrote: Cod liver oil, maybe?

Certainly not! If you're going organic, extra-virgin olive oil

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:09 am

I always liked the term, extra-virgin. If a person is a virgin, that's one thing, but how can you be extra-virgin?

Tappy · Post by **Tappy** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:39 am

So Cal Mark wrote:I always liked the term, extra-virgin. If a person is a virgin, that's one thing, but how can you be extra-virgin?

wel if you haven't done "it" and you'r born sept trough october

htchevyii · Post by **htchevyii** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:09 am

pope wrote:Pete,
I am not sure that you should have grease packed the idler. It has a ball bearing chamber near the top that diverts oil under pressure to the opposite side of the chamber when you turn, and does the opposite when you turn the other way. It acts as sort of a valve. I dont see how the grease can move throught the bearings to equalize the pressure like oil can. If it cant go through there, it wont allow you to turn.
What I dont know is if your idler is aftermarket and then uses grease. The original uses oil.

I think you should get some more advice on this.

I think the guys using grease were removing the "paddles", so it could circulate and putting a zerk on it so the shaft is properly lubed. there's a link at Miri

pope · Post by **pope** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:13 pm

Trey,
they are just loosing the dampening effect of the idler. Like removing a shock absorber. Thats kind of a fix for the idlers that have lost and wont hold their oil. I would just buy a new one if it were me. I never thought it was worth "fixing" steering components, especially if you plan on going 60-80 mph, or up narrow mountain roads.

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