PS idler arm

[Daves55Sedan]

I see that you have the idle-arm bracket and the other half of the bushing that came out of it laying on the garage floor (picture upside down).
Can't say as I have ever seen an assembly like that. I think it would be a big help if you had a '57 Ford car shop manual to see what the factory showed in their illustrations and try to order those parts if available.
I just looked at the latest Mac's catalog and they are not offering the complete kit for '57 Ford with PS. They do offer the metal encased bushings (MA-3358-A & MA-3356-B), but I am sure those won't work with the idler arm you have.

 

[1930artdeco]

K=thanks for the info on the build date, that may explain the June 14 1957 build date instead of earlier in the model year.


Dave, I was looking at my manual and their pics don't show anything really. just bad pics of the system. I did see some rubber bushings like mine in a catalogue but they are for a non-power steering bracket. So it is possible that someone rebuilt it with non PS bushings at some point in time. Those are the bushings that I bought for this application as they are for the PS idler arm according to Concourse.


Mike

 

[KULTULZ]

If you type in ' B4A 3352-A ' in your SEARCH ENGINE, you may find a NOS on EvilBay.

There is an aftermarket still offered - https://www.jamcosuspension.com/product/1954-60-ford-idler-arm-power-steering-ia5460ps

It says USA but I have no idea of quality.

 

[cokefirst]

Rare parts has an idler arm repair kit with bearings for the 1957 Fairlane with power steering.

 

[1930artdeco]

Update. I got the PS components rebuilt and installed. Only to find out there are two issues. Neither of which were really my fault. First I apparently had the bushing installed backwards with the long one in the center link and the short in the bracket. They should be reversed-according to a spare 57 PS set up. I also noticed the idler arm is different from the spare to mine. So my thinking is that they had to replace the idler bushings at one point and couldn’t get a PS set and used a manual set up.

Mike

 

[KULTULZ]

You are going to have to source a correct idler arm for the car. What you are working with is incorrect.

You are beating yourself to death for no good reason,

 

[1930artdeco]

One of the two is correct, I just need to figure out which one.

 

[KULTULZ]

One of the two is correct, I just need to figure out which one.

The take-off shown below is not correct. It must be an outside vendor service replacement. You would need the original busing set to make it operable -

 

[1930artdeco]

I have installed, I just have them in backwards. So I will send it back to the shop to get them reversed and then reinstall.

Mike

 

[1930artdeco]

Ok, all of the PS components are temp installed now and appear to work as advertised. Now how do I tell which side which long tie rod goes to?

Mike

 

[dmsfrr]

The info and illustrations on page 4-4 of the '57 shop manual may be helpful.

Rotate the steering box or steering wheel back & forth a few times until you can determine when the movement of the steering box & pitman arm is centered, the middle spoke of the steering wheel should be pointing straight down.
Point the tires & wheels straight ahead and the tie-rod placement may become evident.
.