Worn Out Steering components

gary j zingle

New member
Jun 5, 1999
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...............ball joints and tie rods are tight but the play comes from=

the idler arm and steering relay lever - the two parts which support
the relay rod. These each pivot around a large bolt attached to
the frame and it is in the bushings on these bolts that I can see
the play.

I would like to eliminate the slop. Has anyone reading this had
experience in replacing the bushing assemblies in them or
know if they are even available?

When I rebuilt my steering, suspension and brakes last fall
most of the parts were available from my local NAPA but
I could find no cross reference for these parts. The Toronado
steering is different.

In my case I needed more than just the bushing but I didn't
need the idler arm, only the relay lever.

Two styles were available.

The early steering relay lever (same as mine) is one piece.
It was available for $200.00 U.S. from Cinnibar. With the one
piece centering of the steering wheel during alignment is
accomplished by adjusting the tie rod ends.

The late one has a center section using threads to allow for
adjustment to center the steering wheel. If I remember
correctly it was $260.00 U.S.

Even if mine had originally had the adjustable steering relay
lever I would have gone for the cheaper one. Considering
how infrequently the alignment needs to be set I did not
believe the extra convenience for centering the steering
wheel to be worth the extra $60.00 U.S.

I suspect Cinnibar would have the Idler arm as well.

HTH

Regards

Gary Zingle
1973 GMC 26 foot