Where do I find an Idler arm?

Apparently it's not easy to find. And I am not sure but, the one that fits a 66 Riviera may have had limited applications? Just this year maybe?

Also, for a good shop, would this take more than a couple hours to replace properly? I was quoted by a shop, let's just say they said labor would be about $400.00 for this and to replace strut rod bushings, stabilizer links. Also an alignment.
I think labor is about $80 per hour.

Know where I can find an idler arm?

 

Gm # 5697246 = 66 Riv, Wildcat and Electra.

You might try www.espo.com or Cantor.

 

I got one from CARS for my 66 Wildcat

It was about $95. About a week later, there was one on Ebay that went for about $30. If I recall, all 1966 LeSabre's, Wildcat's, Electra's, and Riv's, with power steering, share the same idler arm.
Good Luck!

 

Negative on the Le Sabre. They are #1379900 and common to other 5000 series for 66-68.

 

You can send your original to www.rareparts.com to be reman'd. They also have an exchange program.

 

Rare Parts

George,
When did Rare Parts start doing thing direct? Two months ago, I emailed them to see if there were any dealers in my area, and I never heard back from them. Their website used to state that they didn't sell direct. You couldn't even view thier catalog without a dealer ID.

 

I don't know. I did a few 68-70 full size center links for Buick owners in Norway and Sweden. I sent them to Rare Parts and they sent the reman'd center links to some shipper in NJ or directly to the Buick owners. Don't know what it takes to become a dealer for them but I would guess just some paperwork.

 

Thanks a lot you guys-you guys are great.

I think the Rivi may be seperate from the others-checking the Rareparts.com catalog, unless they have it wrong.
They seem to think Wildcat, LeSabre and Electra are all the same for that year. Rivi's are different.
I think also, lots of things changed in terms of new suspension, and other parts, from, say 66 until just a couple years later. Don't quote me though.

So, any ideas on how, long this should take a good shop? I just don't have a shop I trust yet. And Midas-whom I did like, they were up front and showed me everything, etc. doesn't seem to want to work on a 39 year old car.

I am thinking about taking it here:

Gary's Wheel Alignment
9200 West Grand Avenue
Franklin Park IL 60131

 

Contact Cacmanjr here. He is a Buick nut in Chicago and can point you to a reputable shop.

 

NOS Idler arm...

One of those is available NOS on ebay. See link below. You may have come up with it by now

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/66-B...597625012QQcategoryZ34200QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

thanks

This item is still available-for a 66 GS however.
It's not the same as for a 66 Rivi, which was unique to that year and model.
If you click the link in the post above, the auction has "This item has been relisted" linking to another auction for the item. Click on that twice to get to the current one.

I am still looking for an Idler arm for a 66 Rivi if anyone has one.
So far the ones I have found are too rich for my blood.

 

Try AutoZone. I just bought mine online through the website. They buy from Rare Parts at almost half of what the Rare Parts website quotes.

Chuck

 

66 riv idler arm

I am still looking for an Idler arm for a 66 Rivi if anyone has one.
So far the ones I have found are too rich for my blood.[/QUOTE]

Gran Sport66
If you are still in need of one send me an email.

David

 

KDC455 has found a 66 Riv in a salvage yard near him. He has this posted in "junkyard jewels"

 

try kanter auto products at www.kanter.com