![]() Planning to replace it will serve you much better in the long run and you will enjoy driving it a lot more.Note: For O.E. IMHO, replacing only the bushing is lipstick on a pig. The idler on my '63 was BADLY in need of replacement as you talked about in your OP, with the sudden "flop" and the car darts wildly towards one side, trying to kill you. Please note that when I installed the '64 idler arm in the '61, it did require an alignment as it raised the steering rod a bit due to the slightly larger and taller setup. The '61 design was even WORSE than the 62-63, with an even smaller diameter shaft, simple rubber "pillow" bushing and abysmal tolerances once assembled. If the 64-65 Idler Arm assembly still twists and causes that feeling of it pushing initially in left turns then I may take that 64-65 idler arm assembly to a machine shop and have it machined down for bearings or Brass Bushing.Ĭlick to expand.As somebody who has owned a '63 and '61 T-bird, to answer your primary question: Yes, the 64 idler arm is an entirely improved design, the pivot shaft is approximately 50% larger, the housing is reinforced, the bushing design has been improved and strengthened as well over the 62-63 design. I would put a performance idler arm assembly or rebuild kit in if I could find one. My question about that beefier idler arm is does it twist like the 61 does or is it much more rigid? Solving the problem of that left turn push feeling. From 1961 to 1963, Thunderbirds had a small diameter shaft on the frame bracket. Order your parts online or pick them up in-store at your local Advance Auto Parts. Check prices & reviews on aftermarket & stock parts for your 1961 Thunderbird Idler Arm Bushing. The 64-65 Idler Arm is much beefier as most that may read this know. Compare 1961 Ford Thunderbird Idler Arm Bushing brands. As you get into the Left turn the front feels like it is pushing at first then it over turns and you have to correct. That shaft, along with the larger bushing, makes this reproduction much stronger than the original. ![]() So, when a reproduction was being planned, it was decided to use the larger diameter shaft from the 1964 model. ![]() ![]() As anyone with a early 60's Ford should know. From 1961 to 1963, Thunderbirds had a small diameter shaft on the frame bracket. Causing the right wheel to become miss aligned in corners. It twists even with the new bushing in there. For 1964, they beefed it up again (evidently not getting it right the second time), and that final version is the one that veteran Thunderbird owners recommend for all 1961-1964 Thunderbirds. (still has original control arm) I was told that upgrading to the 64-65 Idler Arm assembly will improve the time between that bushing going bad, but my real question is about the amount of flex that arm has. The idler arm on the 1961/2 Thunderbird was apparently so weak that it was reengineered for mid-year 1962. ![]() Replaced the Idler Arm bushing on my 61 the other day. ![]()
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