Okay, I got my Calmini idler arm brace installed and it seems okay. Just one question:

The bottom nut (the one underneath) has a really large washer between it and the idler arm. Did you guys remove this washer completely or re-install it underneath the brace? I left the washer on there and now the bolt in the pivot point of the idler arm does not come completely through the nut at the bottom end. It just isn't quite long enough. Should this concern me? I imagine the large washer does provide extra strength but I don't like the idea of the bolt not going all the way through the nut. I really tightened it down but I am debating whether or not to just remove the large washer altogether so that the bolt goes all the way through the nut. It might be bad if the whole thing simply came off when I am going 60MPH.

What did you people do with this washer?

Thanks

Put the washer on your workbench and leave it there. The brace replaces it (I'm surprised it went together with the washer in there, hopefully you didn't stress anything).

Make sure you don't "really tighten it down"... about 50 lb. ft. of torque is all that is needed.

Yup, I didn't think it belonged there, and a quick call to Calmini confirmed it when I installed mine.

Brent

maybe that should have been their clue to send instructions. got mine last week. haven't put it on yet, so it's good to know that the washer isn't necessary.
sliders come with instructions. idler arm brace doesn't. weird.

The picture on their web site pretty much explains it all. Most people probably would have viewed the picture if they ordered the part.

Not trying to flame here but honestly if there were instructions would you look at them. Most men seem to just leave them in the box. I mean here is a bolt, there is a hole how hard can this be? Calmini understands this and is waiting for the call from the wife/other "Yeah, um, my husband just tried to instal this blue thing. Does the silver round flat thingy go back on or is it left off?

I need to stop writing and order mine before they are all gone.

ALAN

Hey, I was damn confused, too --- so I checked out xoc.com and the discussion on Manufacturer's Row -- SLR v Calmini. This shot was enough for me to toss the washer:


This board is a sweet resource...

Yeah, I went straight upstairs and looked on their site for any clues. That pic didn't appear to use the washer, but I still wanted to get the word from them.

Brent

Actually, in this shot, the washer is still there! I can barely see it underneath the idler arm brace between the nut and the brace.

Anyway, if Calmini verified that it should be removed I will remove it.

Thanks for the help.

Dave

Whoa, lucky I am blind as a bat as well. True, on the above shot, those nuts don't even look entirely flush.

This brace, from that same forum, clearly is washerless:


It is practically impossible to cram the bolts in with the washer in place. Without, it fits straight on, like it was designed that way.

I just got my Calmini Idler Arm Brace and am trying to install it. Is it necessary to jack the front end of the truck up to remove the weight from the wheels to install this. Or can I just crank the steering wheel all the way to the right to get to it?

Thanks,

Jeff

Just crank the wheel over a bit to make some room.

Above the idler arm, pop a few pins out and move the rubber trim flap thingy out of the way, and you can get a wrench on the bolts over the top of the frame to hold them.

Man, I can't get the bolts to friggen budge. I hit them with some WD40 and even used a hammer on the wrench. Do they Loctite these?

Is the idler arm brace still needed with the Calmini SS? Or are people just using them to beef up thier stock steering?

Just wondering because I'm almost saved up for the Calmini steering. Currently I have the AC idler arm brace, but I don't imagine that it will fit the Calmini system

Pontifex, no locktite, just use an extension on your wrench or a breaker bar and it will come off. If that doesn't work, then it's time to hit the gym! :p

DKX01, the Calmini SS comes with it's own idler arm brace. You can't use your old one on it because it is designed differently.