280ZX Idler Arm Bushings

[Mr. Tyler]

I bought my 1979 280ZX about 13 years ago with a bit over 100k miles on her. Shortly thereafter I got the front wheel death wobble. The front wheels would violently shake back and forth, only when driving about 40-55mph. First fix was to re-balance front wheels, this helped but I found slop in the idler arm. I replaced the entire idler arm (auto parts chain store) and the problem was fixed.

 

Recently, about 30k miles later, the wobble came back. I re-balanced the wheels and again found slop in the idler arm. First I added a small diameter washer (smaller diameter so it wouldn't bottom out on the "bushing carrier") and put the nut on real tight. This helped, but the problem remained. I was surprised that the bushings were worn out already. I called around, trying to find out what material the re-manufactured bushings were made of and who was the re-manufacturer.....I didn't get too far. When I called MSA, they said theirs were NOS, so I bought them. I compared them to the re-man bushing I was replacing and found that the NOS bushing were much softer. Something to think about when you get the death wobble.