Headers destroy the OEM idler arm bushings in hours not years LOL! Moog for the win.

 

Well...

So far it has been 4 days and plenty of driving. By all accounts the bushings I made should have melted or failed. So far no issues.

For the technically curious here is what I did:
1) Bore the taper out of the pivot
2) Machine bushings from Tecamid PA66
- Bushings occupy all but about 0.080" of the length (a little room for compression) more than doubling the bearing surface
- Used EP nickel bearing grease (compatible with the PA66) on the bores and idler shaft
- Added seals
3) Install and torque to factory spec (after assembly torque to move the arms was just over 5 lbs by the way)
4) Drive.

At the melting point of the Tecamid the paint on the car should be bubbling so I think it will be fine.

 

Update:

Pushing 4 weeks now with numerous hours of operation. Still working as intended. No melting. No failures.

 

Long term report:
Yep, still working. Over two years so far. The car has been driven almost daily for the last 8 months. No problems in the steering. The MD nylon bushings are working great.

 

Is your car a series 3 car? someone may have cut the RH front spring to correct the uneven ride height problem associated with these cars.