Technical Who has the best tri five Chevy Idler Arm? Or should I Rebuild what I have?

With the import stuff that’s coming in now who has the best idler for the tri fives ?
One once could rely on a specific brand name but the rebox/ resale gig is alive and well so you never know what your really getting anymore.
The other choice is to rebuild / etc .Who has been here and done that.
thanks

 

I rebuilt mine, both with a stock replacement bushing, and with an NORS bearing. They both have their good and bad points.

But that was a long time ago, I don't know what's available these days.

 

NORS bearing ?

 

New old replacement stock

 

I'm not sure what bearing Jim's talking about, unless he converted to a poorman's power steering setup. But if the shaft's are in good shape, I'd replace the bushings and call it good, unless it's cheaper to buy a new idler arm, and then I'd be leery of the quality of the new parts, if that was the case.

 

yeah, the "poor man's power steering". Used to be you could find old ones, new in the box, on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/406101156951?

is an example.

Or find some new old bushings, like these

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236237602276?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335273499756?

But then I'm kind of weird about how I shop for parts for old cars.

 

I am thinking buy the bushing and call it unless like 427 Sleeper said the shafts are worn beyond use.

 

Shafts are not worn. Got the K 377 in. It is shorter than the original. Will that matter?

 

Shafts are not worn. Got the K 377 in. It is shorter than the original. Will that matter?

 

Shafts are not worn. Got the K 377 in. It is shorter than the original. Will that matter?

 

Sorry hit it 3 times

 

Sorry hit it 3 times

 

The answer is yes . The part number i should have gotten was K- 379.the K 377 literally split and crumbled.

 

I have decided to make my own out of delrin. I can even drill ,tap, and put a grease fitting in it.
I’ll decide wether to use the inner steel tube or let it run on the frame spindle so to speak.

 

Here it is. And I got to admit. I wished I had done it from the git go. Fits the arm super tight and the verticals spindle from the frame mount as well. And I didn’t waste 40 $ buy the time it was shipped to get it. And it’s not imported.

 

I’ll trim and bolt on and be done with it. Need to get the front end alignment checked.