Needle bearing idler arm?

[jaybee]

Assuming other appropriate upgrades to tires, shocks, sway bars, and other suspension hardware, is there a significant improvement to be had by replacing rubber bushings in an idler arm with needle bearings where available?

[David Pozzi]

No rubber in them. Most replacements have delrin bushings in them.
Some race car idlers have needle or other bearings, but are made for stock cars like NASCAR oval stuff.
David

[jaybee]

These http://www.danchuk.com/09_02_idler_arm_bushing.html have rubber in them. These http://www.danchuk.com/09_02_idler_arm_bearing_kit.html don't. Might it work to just machine a delrin bushing to fit the idler arm?

[David Pozzi]

Thanks for the added info. I had no idea you were talking about a car that old! :)
I'd sure try the needle bearing version for an improvement.
David

[jaybee]

Thanks for the feedback. It just makes sense to me that one end of the center link has a closely defined arc due to the bearings in the steering box and the other end is "squishy" due to the rubber, which can't be the best combination.

[David Pozzi]

Correct, the idler arm is critical in keeping toe-in from moving.