[Mr G]

Hi guys,
I am redoing the front end on my 1966 V8 with power steering.
When it comes to the idler arm I am puzzled. Take a look at the picture attached. On the left is my brand new idler arm (from MU ref DA64M), and on the right is the old one. As you can see they do not look alike.
For a power steering car, MU recommends to change the stock bushing to BA64. I am going to do that.
As you can see, on the new idler arm the bushing is pressed downward, while it is pressed upward on the old arm. I looked at many pictures on the net and I could never find a consistency from one dealer to another.

What tells you the proper position of the bushing? Will it cause any problem if it is upside down?

Thank you.

[chockostang]

Look at the problem/question with common logic.

The weight of the lower steering unit HANGS on the Frame bracket for the idler, the bushing takes the weight.

Now, would weight tighten the bushing in the first/new idler?

In the old idler would weight possibly push out the bushing???

Old Idler is Correct, New is Wrong.

Dan @ Chockostang

[Cobra6]

Maybe it is just me, but the idler arm you show on the left looks more like a '67 or newer idler arm.

IIRC, the idler arm for a '65 - '66 is the same for manual or PS. that new idler arm does not look correct.

For the $$$, I think this roller idler is one of the best mods I made to my '65 with manual steering.
Opentracker Racing Products - Roller Idler Arms

I would call John at ORP and see what he thinks.
The MU idler may be fine, but I have no idea where they are made.

[Mr G]

Well, not sure it is as simple as that. I sampled different idler arm pictures from various dealers: champion mustang, cj pony, john's mustang, justparts.com, NPD.
As you can see some are pressed up and some down.
The last one from mustang monthly is not the right model but it shows the bushing is pressed down. I do not think that the lips being up or down makes a difference. The idea of the weight pushing down on the rubber bushing might old up though. I do not think that the position of the lip matters as long as there is some rubber on the lower part... so my bushing might be correct.
Let me know what you think, any input will be appreciated.

[Mr G]

I like to get to the bottom of things and I wanted to give you some updates. In fact the one I received is a "moog", not a stock one. Below is the answer I received from the dealer about the bushing issue:

"I took 8 idler arms out of inventory to inspect them, around half had the bushings pressed in upside down, unfortunately the manufacturing process for the idler arms causes some to be pressed in incorrectly. I am sorry for this."

From a geometry point of view, it will make a lot more sense: having the bushing the other way will lower the arm and make it's height similar to the stock one. I also do believe that Chocostang answers made a lot of sense.