Pitman arm, idler arm, crossmember options for PS

[JC213]

Hello trifivers, I have been searching the forum for a solid answer to an issue I have run into. I am in the process of buying all the needed parts to convert my manual steering 55 car to power steering.
The other day I was pulling my car back in the garage and my idler arm side of the crossmember fell off the idler arm somehow. Luckily I was only in my driveway. Now I need to know if I should buy new crossmember and both arms to go with my cpp500 kit or just fix what I have (if possible, it looks like a wore out bushing and perhaps a missing bolt? I haven't examined it very closely yet)
So, when I upgrade to the cpp500 box from a manual car, should I buy thte "power steering" arms and crossmember and/or do I need to?
Thanks in advance!

[acardon]

Originally Posted by JC213

Hello trifivers, I have been searching the forum for a solid answer to an issue I have run into. I am in the process of buying all the needed parts to convert my manual steering 55 car to power steering.
The other day I was pulling my car back in the garage and my idler arm side of the crossmember fell off the idler arm somehow. Luckily I was only in my driveway. Now I need to know if I should buy new crossmember and both arms to go with my cpp500 kit or just fix what I have (if possible, it looks like a wore out bushing and perhaps a missing bolt? I haven't examined it very closely yet)
So, when I upgrade to the cpp500 box from a manual car, should I buy thte "power steering" arms and crossmember and/or do I need to?
Thanks in advance!

No, the CPP box uses ALL manual steering linkage. I think your refeering to the drag link, (sometimes called center link or relay rod). All the bushings on the linkage are replaceable. The nut may have come off the idler lever support bracket. ..... http://www.trifive.com/garage/55%20C...Manual/9-2.gif

[JC213]

I nave been searching for replacement bushings and hardware but can't seem to locate a store ... Any links to the parts??
Thanks again

[557B210]

Bought my Moog ball joints and bushings from Rock Auto Parts:http://www.rockauto.com/

[Jalapeno]

Originally Posted by JC213

I nave been searching for replacement bushings and hardware but can't seem to locate a store ... Any links to the parts??
Thanks again

Where did you get the CPP500 gear? CPP sells all the manual linkage parts new, as well as new idler bushings.

Since you are going with a CPP500 gear you do not need the OEM power steering parts, just the manual parts.

[JC213]

So far all my parts are from CPP but i wasnt sure if they had rebuild parts or just the new parts which are close $200. If new replacement is quicker and possibly better, i may just buy all new manual steering crossmemebr, pitman and idler arms to save the time and have peace of mind with new components... Thamks for the help!

[JC213]

Ive been saying crossmember but i mean centerlink...

[Jalapeno]

Originally Posted by JC213

So far all my parts are from CPP but i wasnt sure if they had rebuild parts or just the new parts which are close $200. If new replacement is quicker and possibly better, i may just buy all new manual steering crossmemebr, pitman and idler arms to save the time and have peace of mind with new components... Thamks for the help!

Without seeing what you have it's hard to tell if you just need new idler/link bushings or all new linkage parts. It would be really helpful if you could post clear pictures of what you have.

That said, if I were you, I'd start with replacing the idler/link bushings. If you don't have the tools/expertise to remove what's left of the old ones and press in the new ones you may need to go to a machine shop or garage that can do that for you, which adds to the expense. If doing it yourself, pay attention to the orientation of the old bushings so you install the new ones the same way (they press in from the bottom).

Then figure out if the idler frame bracket needs new bolts (you mentioned you weren't sure if there was a bolt involved and I'm not sure what you meant by that).

Then examine the rest of the linkage and see what else needs attention. A center link repair kit may be a good investment if you don't get the new link itself.