Hi - I just ran into something that I need help on. I removed one of the idler arm bolts only to hear the nut fall inside the frame. What the??
Well, after looking at the assembly diagram, I see that Ford used bolts that appear to be held together as one via a "retainer". Then the assembly fits into the holes on the frame where the bolts come out as if they are "studs". From there, you just slide the idler arm over the bolts and tighten the nuts down.
Apparently someone lost the bolt/retainer assembly somewhere along the way. In turn, somehow they anchored nuts on the frame side and screwed the bolts into them.
There's a hole near the idler arm mounting bolts where you can still your finger inside the frame and touch the mounting hole from the inside of the frame, theoretically allowing you to perhaps hold something in place temporarily, but there's no way to get a normal tool in there.
Has anyone ever run into this? Better yet, has anyone ever come up with a solution? My thoughts are to remove the idler arm and try welding the bolts into place. Any opinions?
Attached is a picture of the idler arm along with the assembly diagram and a blown-up view which shows the bolts and retaining assembly (PN 379711-S). Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
Roger
Well, after looking at the assembly diagram, I see that Ford used bolts that appear to be held together as one via a "retainer". Then the assembly fits into the holes on the frame where the bolts come out as if they are "studs". From there, you just slide the idler arm over the bolts and tighten the nuts down.
Apparently someone lost the bolt/retainer assembly somewhere along the way. In turn, somehow they anchored nuts on the frame side and screwed the bolts into them.
There's a hole near the idler arm mounting bolts where you can still your finger inside the frame and touch the mounting hole from the inside of the frame, theoretically allowing you to perhaps hold something in place temporarily, but there's no way to get a normal tool in there.
Has anyone ever run into this? Better yet, has anyone ever come up with a solution? My thoughts are to remove the idler arm and try welding the bolts into place. Any opinions?
Attached is a picture of the idler arm along with the assembly diagram and a blown-up view which shows the bolts and retaining assembly (PN 379711-S). Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
Roger