Offroad-Express

ive just changed my diffs to 5.29s and when putting the front left hub back on i noticed that the idler arm was bent. now if it was the first time i wouldnt be to worried but as i replaced it on our trip to rallywoods a few mths ago i got a little curious and loked further. its not the arm thats bent but the pivotg shaft thing inside the casting that is bent. i cant see any impact marks and im sure i would have felt an impact if i had had one. it was replaced with a second hand unit so a guy at wk suggested that it may be the bushes. i got a new one today but dont want to drive to far untill i find out the problem. anyone struck this before or have any ideas? was also wondering if it would be from the lift or 33s. it has crusier rims and ball joint flip, cut bump stops etc. any help greatly appreciated.
cheers, Sam

HI Sam, the idler arms or arm pivot's will always be the weak points for the fornt end of the IFS. When you hit a hole hard, a rock etc that is what will give. Your 33's with cruiser offset will not be helping at all and creating alot of leverage.

I think I have bent something on mine on a recent outing, i was decending in 2nd low and the right front hit something - a rock I think - and riped the wheel clean out of my hands, was not expecting it at all.

Now my steering wheel is not centered and it turns tighter one way than the other, I have yet to investigate further to find out what it is.

Best bet - SAS.........

NJ

SAS is deffinatly wanted but its $$$ i dont have at the mo for the diff (and engineering to swap the head over). the idler has been bent up and is actually rubbing on the chassis rail. i just dont want to put the new one on to have the same prob in a mth or two.

im just going to run with the bent arm for the moment. i have the new one there but i wont put it on, untill ive disected an old bent one.

Hi there
Believe it or not I have encountered exactly the same problem with my JTop This week
Original Arm bent ,failed warrant, just had it replaced this week and before I even completed 80km road travel (Lots of tight corners) it was bent again. I am also running Toyota offset with 33's, No lift, but bump stops cut with no sway bar. Suspect offset too large for arm to handle. Also had the main bushes done. My mechanic is perplexed ,as am I Surely there is something that can be done to stop this ?
I too am going to run with it bent until next warrant. But if someone has a cure I would be VERY interested.

Cheers Mike

im running 33"s on nissan rims,ball joint flip, and not had a prob of bending arm at all,just ball joint worn out.seams bit strange to me

Hi all

An update

Bent my second set before I even got off road
Told my mechanic to fit genuine mitsubishi parts
Took my old girl out and gave her hell, including a 9000lbs front end pull with an anchor on the back (Mata 2007 Fund Raiser) All OK, nothing bent
I have also gone for a smaller offset now 31x11.50x16 (was running 33x12.50x15) and more aggressive tires, MAXISS 31x11.50x16 Mudzilla. Only lost quarter of an inch off diff height. She dosen't look so butch now.
So all we can put this down too is crap aftermarket product.

Cheers Mike

I have also had 3 idler arms end with excess play
get picked up at wof time
reason is offset about 25mm and 33" tyres
has got body lift sway bar disconnects and ball joint flip

just found this...

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic ... ght=jabber

Hi Wacko

Good reading, can not wait until I bend yet another one and I will strip to inspect (well not really , hope this one lasts). Sounds about right with what they talk about. Would account for my After Market one failing before doing any work. Thus far the original is holding up !

Cheers Mike