Idler arm to Center Link question

[Smokngun]

Hi All, I got a front end rebuild kit from PST and have run into my first snag. The item pictured is the idler arm and center link.

Fist question: Does the foam washer shown stay there? Or is this just packing material to keep grease in/dust out while storing transporting?

Second: Without the foam washer, tightening the nut presses the center link against the face of the idler arm prior to bottoming out on the taper as it should. The hole in the center link isn't ovaled out or anything. I put the old (original) idler arm on the center link and it tightens as it should.

Am I missing something? Or should I contact PST for a possible part return?

Thanks!

 

[Big John]

The foam washer should stay on there, but that's a moot point. If it doesn't fit... you can't use it. The taper has to be tight.

 

[Smokngun]

Looking closer at the idler arm it looks like the tapered shaft may not be sticking out far enough. It looks like there is a shoulder to butt the center link against, but it is below the surface of the arm forging. A call to PST on Monday is in order to see how to remedy this.

 

[69hemibeep]

Depending on the brand of idler that end would get a boot and the k-frame end would have one or two of those washers with the nut and bolt. But yes the taper is wrong.

 

[Smokngun]

Update: A quick call to PST this morning. They claim they have has this problem with a few idler arms for B-Bodies. They are sending out a new part (from a different supplier) along with a call tag to send the original back.

No hassle, great service from them!