I am trying to replace the Idler Arm on a 92 Camaro. My problem is when I try to losen the nut on top of the Idler Arm where it connects to the center link. All it does is spin the nut with the stud coming off of the center link. How can I hold this still so I can remove the nut? I hope this makes sense to someone and I have included a picture of the problem.

Thanks.

 

looks just like the pic off the tech article i made. one thing to do is put the tuning fork in there to jam the stud. see if that works.

 

It probably is. This is where I found it http://www.fl-thirdgen.org/idlerarm.html. I have tried to jam the tuning fork in there and then losen it without luck. I will try again. If I jam it in there too far will I break anything?

 

yep that's my tech article. at most you'll break the idler arm. the ball will come out of it's socket. no big deal. you're replacing it anyway. the only other way would be to cut the nut off. torch, grinding wheel, hacksaw (forever).

 

I got it off. I ended up jacking up the center link part and then I was able to get the nut off. I took a picture if you want to include that in your article.

Now I have another problem. My new idler arm is turned so when I put it on the body I cannot attach the center link and vice versa. I tried turning it, I tried standing on it and trying to turn it. It won't budge. I guess that will be a good thing for when I do get it on. But how do you get this to turn to get it put on?

 

good thinking. i have done it that way before also when trying to tighten a nut.

take a screwdriver and put in one of the holes. then turn it. or if you have a vice put it in there and turn it where it needs to be. or just find someway to hold the shaft in place. they are hard to move when new.

 

Thanks, I ended up going over to my father in-laws house and using his vice. I got the new one on!

Thanks for getting that tech article up. I had no clue before I found that on even how to start this project. But a little elbow grease and some cussing is definetly worth me saving $200 that the auto shop wanted to change it.

 

anytime