AAR Cuda Idler Arm Confusion

[72and86]

My friend's manual steering AAR Cuda needs a replacement idler arm. He got a Moog replacement (K7041) and it didn't fit. It won't clear the stock exhaust. See first 2 pics. Then I did some research and it seems the AAR had Quick Ratio steering and needs a different idler which I thought I on eBay. I found it on Ebay and its too long. It looks like it says S3, 14-238 on it. Did ebay seller send the wrong part?

Set the record straight. What part(s) does it need? The Moog is too short and different angle and the other "Ebay" quick ratio is too long. See 3rd pic. How can they both be wrong?

[anlauto]

ALL AAR's and T/A's, regardless of "Fast Ratio" steering or not, use the exact same idler arm as every other 1970-74 E-Body, if you bought the correct one and it's hitting the exhaust, the problem is the exhaust in my opinion.   Moog K7041 is correct.

[Brads70]

Could worn motor mounts be an issue? 

[Jim AAR]

I agree the Moog K7041 is correct, I just changed mine last summer. i do have headers but there is only 1 Idler Arm regardless of fast or normal ratio steering.

There is a different Pitman Arm for the Fast Ratio but that was ONLY on power steering cars.

The pic you show of the one that was on his car is bent way too much, here's a pic of my old Original one (I replaced it because the bushing was worn, it's the correct bend)  and the bend is not nearly as severe.

BTW, the Moog K7041 matched my original one perfectly, I checked it before I put it on.

[Bossgold]

This is the part number for the AAR/ TA Idler from the book 2948713. But if you read the threads the 1970 AAR Idler arm is incorrect and makes the left wheel turn differently than the right  due to geometry on the T/A quick ratio box. The recommended change is for a 1970 C body - Moog 7014  and not 7041

From a thread I copied : " Now, if you don't know this already, the factory never properly installed the longer required Idler Arm... to match the correct turning radius of the longer "Fast Ratio" pitman arm. The factory result is that the Driver side front wheel turns quicker than the passenger side wheel, and the radius is different per left turn vs right turn. All that is needed to correct this factory oversight is to install the longer idler arm from a ~70 C-body (Fury, etc). In other words, there was never such a thing as "fast ratio idler arm"... anyone (Firm Feel, Hotchkis, PST, etc) who refers to having "developed" or created such a thing is just plain wrong... jumped onto the band-wagon of calling it such a thing... its simply a C-Body ~70 idler arm... always has been... always will be... go order it from Moog or other."

[Jim AAR]

That may be true for power steering (I don't know) but the original poster says it's a manual box, they are not the same. the manual box never came with the fast ratio pitman arm option it was for power steering only.

If the one he posted was on his car, then someone bent it to make it fit and just used the sleeve adjusters on the tie rods to make it work with that idler arm and exhaust setup on a manual steering car

[1 Wild R/T]

Jim nailed it... Twice!! 

Bossgold is correct about P/S equipt T/A-AARs but that doesn't apply to manual steering cars...

[72and86]

The more I read this thread, the more confused I get.

So... in summary; what should a MANUAL STEERING AAR Cuda have for a replacement idler arm? MANUAL STEERING.

[anlauto]

The more I read this thread, the more confused I get.

So... in summary; what should a MANUAL STEERING AAR Cuda have for a replacement idler arm? MANUAL STEERING.

FROM THE FACTORY...
ALL AAR's and T/A's, regardless of "Fast Ratio" steering or not, regardless of power steering or manual steering or not, use the exact same idler arm as every other 1970-74 E-Body. .   Moog K7041 is correct.

If you had power steering and wanted to correct the above mentioned factory power steering issue, you can use a C Body arm.

[anlauto]

AS ANOTHER SIDE NOTE:

Manual steering AAR's and T/A's used the exact same pitman and idler arms as any other manual steering 70-71 E Bodies....As stated, they NEVER came with a "Fast Ratio" pitman arm and manual steering.

[72and86]

Ok. Strange the new Moog doesn't fit though. Engine block is a 340, the engine mounts are new, exhaust is stock...

[Jim AAR]

Your probably going to have to adjust your tie rod adjuster sleeves if that idler arm was on there. The only way that the idler arm you posted that was on this car would have been able to make fit would be by using the tie rod adjuster sleeves to accomplish.

You may be able to loosen the right tie rod thread adjuster bolts and adjust the right side sleeve to get it to fit, but i think you'll have to do both sides.

You may have to drop the center link from the pitman arm and left inner tie rod end to get everything centered up.

Personally, I would take apart the entire tie rod and center link assembly, remove all the cotter pins and nuts, split them all, and make both tie rod sleeves as close to centered equally on both sides with the steering wheel centered, assemble it loose and tighten all the nuts, then adjust your tie rod sleeves the best you can and take it in for an alignment.

If that doesn't work with the Moog K7041 idler arm, then you have other issues as well.