Did a search and couldn't really find an answer so I'll just ask. I have to replace my idler arm, is it better to go with Moog or AC Delco? Or just get a NAPA brand?

 

I bought a house brand tie rod end for my truck. 15,000 km later it was worn out again. I replaced it with a Moog. Much better design and worth the extra cost.

 

I'll second that. Normal parts store stuff didn't last 6k on my camaro and it was loose (could have been loose from the start). I just put a Moog on, but it still has zero miles, but I've read and heard they are much better parts.

 

I replaced my idler arm with a part from autozone. (my car gets driven fairly hard and did put out alot of power) but between the moog and the other brand i went with the other brand. I believe mine was called "center link" old package... but MADE IN USA! The centerlink brand idler arm was much beefier than the stock one and its worked fine. THe moog peices are usually a nicer peice but then again ive had my problems with moog.

Ive replaced all my tie rods with moog problem solver tie rod ends (inner and outer) And i used edelbrock solid machined tie rod adjusters. Within 2 years I had a stuck tie rod in the edelbrock tie rod adjuster! these were painted, sealed, and i used anti sieze. I heated the D@MN thing, put it in a vise etc and to this day i still have it stuck together lol. I went with another moog piece but this time UMI tie rod adjusters. Just saying... all products can still malfunction. Moog is a good brand but dont believe all the hype, You really just want something thats made in the USA and not overseas AKA china.

 

I was thinking of just going with the AC Delco piece. Are they still made in the U.S.?

 

Moog for me. Check http://www.rockauto.com/index.php?a=...rtsgascappromo for pricing.

JamesC

 

the moog i believe will cost u around 100$ for the center link. Not sure tho.

I believe the napa parts are made in usa... i kno they have pretty good oil filters "napa gold" i believe. I cant say the same for AC delco tho... i feel there products quality has been deminishing. I see some stuff made in USA, some made in mexico, etc. Same could be said for SPEED PRO lifters! speed pro claims "made in usa"! but what they dont tell u is they "assemble" the lifters in USA but they use parts from overseas... like india. why do i know u might ask? bc i had 2 of them fail on me brand new outa the box and it destroyed my brand new 300$ cam! cost me 550$ in damage.

get what you can afford, moog as i said is a good brand, i would def look at napa etc and check there stuff out. Compare it to your stocker.

 

With a 20 yr old car I would think about replacing all the front steering parts and not one piece at a time.

 

The idler arm and centerlink are the only stock suspension parts still on the car. Everything else has already been replaced.

 

So you were doing one piece at a time.

 

Moog Problem Solver is industry standard for quality repairs. Unfortunately, the Third gen's idler arm is a weak link in one of the best steering systems ever made. It will never last very long under hard use. Moog atleast applies some real design effort at "solving the problem". As far as NAPA parts are concerned. If you check you'll find that theyre premium line of steering parts is all reboxed Moog. As is Carquest. NAPA hasnt made theyre own parts in decades. BTW theyre awesome Gold filters are WIX. Have been for years and years. Ignition parts are Standard Motor Products.

 

No, I didn't. I did pretty much everything except that one part. For whatever reason, I just didn't change it out when I replaced the front suspension. Not to mention, there are some people who have a finite budget.

 

Im with black sunshine. I went to great lengths building my chassis and suspension, including a PST polygraphite front suspension kit. It came with everything to renew the front suspension and steering, except the centerlink and idler arm. Since then Ive installed an awesome ASG 12:1 steering gear, excellent peice by the way. Still need an idler arm. This year for sure. Lol

 

It's a little different here in Canada however from my research Moog problem solvers are at the top of the list as far as replacement parts go.
ALL my suspension components have been changed (including the idler arm and requisite adjustment). Looking forward to the first test toast in a couple of weeks.

 

Looks like I'll be picking up a Moog piece this weekend. Would it be wise to go ahead and swap out the centerlink as well? Just from observations, it doesn't look like a wear piece but it seems like a lot of people have replaced thiers.

 

Yes.

JamesC

 

X2

 

I went ahead and got the Moog idler arm and centerlink from RockAuto. I am almost done with my front suspension rebuild. My problem is getting the upper bolt holding the idler arm to the frame. When I try to loosen the nut, the bolt just spins and I can't see any way to get to the bolt head. Any suggestions/help?

Eldon

 

I'm not familiar with Birds, so I may be way off, but isn't there a liner in the wheel well that covers holes in the frame (holes which allow access to the bolts)?

JamesC

 

I'll check that and see if that works. Thanks.

 

That worked. Thanks. For whatever reason I did not see that access hole last night. Went out there tonight and as soon as I got down there the access hole was staring me in the face. Now my issue is getting the new idler arm to rotate so I can install it. The way Moog/Federal Mogul packages it makes it 90* from where I need it and I don't have a bench vice to clamp down on it so I can rotate it. More fun to be had.