Good information, and THANK YOU for saying what size the nuts are: castle nut 22mm, nut on frame 18mm, head of bolt inside frame 15mm. So many people just say "remove these" and never say what friggin' size they are. I wanted to make sure I had the right size sockets (and btw, for those 18mm nuts on the frame, you will need deep sockets, as the end of the bolt is sticking out a ways beyond the nut.) Thanks again, good job!
Thank you for posting this. Doing this same job on my 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis and this video helped me out a lot. By the way, I just got a new OEM style, non-greasable idler arm and bracket assembly for this application from Summit Racing for just over $50 including shipping, cheap enough to justify replacement on this car.
Im going to be doing this, this coming weekend on my 97 Grand Marquis.. Thank you for posting this video, it gave me alot of insight as to what im about to tackle.
This was the last thing I had to do on my 96 Grand Marquis. I thought that sleeve was from the old one and had to come out but wanted to check to make sure. You are very patient and thorough and gave exactly the info I needed. Many Thanks!
I just replaced the idler arm on my 01 Lincoln Town Car. I had never done this before, and found this video very helpful. Thank you!!! That metal part that was a part of the bushing (6:23)… on mine would not spin, nor could I get it off with vise grips. With a hammer and flat head screw driver I tapped it at the base, then upward, and eventually it came off.
Thanks for the video. Very informative, and you managed to give us a pretty good shot of the part being replaced. Just one thing, though, and i found it to be in other mechanics videos, and as well as website threads, and that is nut size. Thats when everyone begins to scratch their heads and say, im pretty sure. 1979-1991 lincoln, grand narquis,crown victoria chassis parts bolts nut , ive found that when using metric, the socket sizes pretty close and will get it off. However, if using inches, i can get better fit. The 1998 and above grand marquis, there are people swearing that all you need is metric. This can be topic by itself.
this can be done without having to jack the car up? just wandering. i have a drive up car lift. and i am not sure if there is any real reason to have to take any tension off of the springs?
How on earth did you get the bearing sleeve to come free? I'm staying away from the threads but it seems to be very tedious. The seam is distal to the working surface. Should I use heat? Thanks
Hey, I noticed about 6:20 , you removed a piece (sleeve?) and I didn't see you put it back on. Did you forget, or did you not put it back on purpose,...and if so, why?
00:56 I thought only the rear had air bags, lifting the front is fine. Plus there’s a switch in the trunk to disable the air ride system before jacking up the vehicle.
I found brand new parts still in the plastic in the trunk of a crown vic in the junkyard. New lower control arms with all bushings idler arm pitman arm tie rod ends upper control arm with bushings and balljoints. $80. Sometimes u get lucky
Just some friendly advice. NEVER use a used part to replace any suspension or steering part! The cost of a new one isn't much more usually. Plus it's peace of mind since new replacement parts are engineered a little better than OE typically, it's safe and they have a warranty. Also, that sleeve you removed from the center link stud and tossed out was supposed to be there. It originally went in the center of the old idler arm bushing and it was missing from your replacement part you installed. That idler arm probably failed again soon after you put it in.
+Rod McHugenstein I noticed that too, and I was wondering why he left that out, but thanks to what your saying here, I now know that piece should be placed back where it was, thanks!
I have a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis and it seems like the idol is off when I step on the gas it's fine but the idol goes too low kind of like it wants to turn off but then comes up normal
Does anyone know the THREAD SIZE of the castle nut? Not the wrench size, I know it take a 22mm to remove it, but I want to purchase a NEW castle nut to replace the old one. None of the new idler arms come with new castle nuts. Any info much appreciated! Thx
Good information, and THANK YOU for saying what size the nuts are: castle nut 22mm, nut on frame 18mm, head of bolt inside frame 15mm. So many people just say "remove these" and never say what friggin' size they are. I wanted to make sure I had the right size sockets (and btw, for those 18mm nuts on the frame, you will need deep sockets, as the end of the bolt is sticking out a ways beyond the nut.)
Thanks again, good job!
Thank you for posting this. Doing this same job on my 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis and this video helped me out a lot. By the way, I just got a new OEM style, non-greasable idler arm and bracket assembly for this application from Summit Racing for just over $50 including shipping, cheap enough to justify replacement on this car.
Im going to be doing this, this coming weekend on my 97 Grand Marquis.. Thank you for posting this video, it gave me alot of insight as to what im about to tackle.
This was the last thing I had to do on my 96 Grand Marquis. I thought that sleeve was from the old one and had to come out but wanted to check to make sure. You are very patient and thorough and gave exactly the info I needed. Many Thanks!
David Baltzer glad you found the video useful, thanks for commenting. cheers
You explain things simply and easy to understand, much appreciated. Simplify simplify
jasontrucker007 Glad you like the video :) thanks for commenting. cheers
I just replaced the idler arm on my 01 Lincoln Town Car. I had never done this before, and found this video very helpful. Thank you!!!
That metal part that was a part of the bushing (6:23)… on mine would not spin, nor could I get it off with vise grips. With a hammer and flat head screw driver I tapped it at the base, then upward, and eventually it came off.
Awe Sum Did you use a torque wrench? If so, what torque setting did you use?
This is why ... everybody loves Raymond.
Haha!
Thanks for this DIY video you saved me money and that mean you are alright in my book
Philip Gonzales Cool, glad to hear. tx for watching.
Thank you so much, I am having this exact same problem with my 1999 Lincoln Town car, very helpful and useful.
Bout to do this on my 1998 LTC. This video was very helpful. Thanks.
Me Too! Have the same Yr and model as well. I don't know jack about mechanics and this vid just made it way easier for me to install myself!
Thanks for the video. Very informative, and you managed to give us a pretty good shot of the part being replaced. Just one thing, though, and i found it to be in other mechanics videos, and as well as website threads, and that is nut size. Thats when everyone begins to scratch their heads and say, im pretty sure.
1979-1991 lincoln, grand narquis,crown victoria chassis parts bolts nut , ive found that when using metric, the socket sizes pretty close and will get it off. However, if using inches, i can get better fit.
The 1998 and above grand marquis, there are people swearing that all you need is metric. This can be topic by itself.
excellent video-my 1995 grand marquis has this exact problem. thank you!
Thanks for sharing. I saw your timing belt video on the audi 2.8 and it was really helpful.
Hey np, thanks for your comment. Cheers
this can be done without having to jack the car up? just wandering. i have a drive up car lift. and i am not sure if there is any real reason to have to take any tension off of the springs?
Great video. Thank you!
Very good video , doing it today . Thank you so much .
you can off the air suspension on these cars before you lift them...the switch is in the trunk passenger side.
Tom Simboli not my car air suspension was removed
How on earth did you get the bearing sleeve to come free? I'm staying away from the threads but it seems to be very tedious. The seam is distal to the working surface. Should I use heat? Thanks
Is a realignment needed after you replace the idler arm?
Yes. I have 2002 town car and the shop is going to replace the idle arm first and then align the front end.
great job bro. bad ass info thnx good job
good video as many others have said you do not use 'used' steering parts, I would refuse to do the job.
Hey, I noticed about 6:20 , you removed a piece (sleeve?) and I didn't see you put it back on. Did you forget, or did you not put it back on purpose,...and if so, why?
the sleeve you are speaking of is part of old bushing. The new bushing has this sleeve on inside of rubber.
00:56
I thought only the rear had air bags, lifting the front is fine. Plus there’s a switch in the trunk to disable the air ride system before jacking up the vehicle.
Great video man thanks
They only cost $20 bucks brand new on Amazon
Very informative
Thks buddy real usefull info
PETE MILLER np, thanks for watching.
who replaces front end suspension parts with used junkyard parts, you can get that idler arm from rockauto.com for as little as 16 bucks
I found brand new parts still in the plastic in the trunk of a crown vic in the junkyard. New lower control arms with all bushings idler arm pitman arm tie rod ends upper control arm with bushings and balljoints. $80. Sometimes u get lucky
I have a 1996 lincoln town car and need to change the idel arm..thnx for the info
Just some friendly advice. NEVER use a used part to replace any suspension or steering part! The cost of a new one isn't much more usually. Plus it's peace of mind since new replacement parts are engineered a little better than OE typically, it's safe and they have a warranty. Also, that sleeve you removed from the center link stud and tossed out was supposed to be there. It originally went in the center of the old idler arm bushing and it was missing from your replacement part you installed. That idler arm probably failed again soon after you put it in.
+Rod McHugenstein I noticed that too, and I was wondering why he left that out, but thanks to what your saying here, I now know that piece should be placed back where it was, thanks!
Well the new bushing he said he had to get would have that sleeve in it.
great video......
I've got what appears to be power steering fluid dripping from my pitman arm....any suggestions on what might be causing that?
I would assume um.. The power steering pump is leaking.
good job!
I have a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis and it seems like the idol is off when I step on the gas it's fine but the idol goes too low kind of like it wants to turn off but then comes up normal
Thanks man! This was very helpful.
THANK YOU!!!
dllewis76 anytime, thanks for your comment.
Does anyone know the THREAD SIZE of the castle nut? Not the wrench size, I know it take a 22mm to remove it, but I want to purchase a NEW castle nut to replace the old one. None of the new idler arms come with new castle nuts. Any info much appreciated! Thx
about to tackle this now.
How much would you say this job would cost
A tire wheel ship will charge you around $100
And an extra $60 for an alignment
1:00 there’s a switch in the trunk for that purpose…
The part is 17 bucks new off rock auto. 🤦♂️
That's not a 87 but nice work
Its more like a 97
Idler arm for that car is like 20.00 from rockauto. what a waste.
This was a GD PAIN IN THE ASS.