[HairTiesAndBowTies]

I bought the Cognito Pitman and Idler braces... I got the pitman to fit well, but can't for the life of me figure out how the Idler brace fits from there to the drag link stud. I have an aftermarket idler arm, but I compared it to an OEM and it looks like the same design.

Anybody know where I can find a pic of the Idler brace installed??

Thanks!

 

[N2BRK]

here's the first one I found searching google. HTH

 

[HairTiesAndBowTies]

Thanks!! Looks like exactly what I was doing but mine is angled just enough that I can't get the holes in the brace to line up with the bolts. Do you think it's because my t bars are cranked? The install guide for the braces said for "Factory or Lifted 01-Present GM 8 Lugs" so I don't see why the t bars being cranked would make a difference.

 

[N2BRK]

cranking makes no difference. Hell I'm running mine on a straight centerlink and that doesn't even matter.

Loosen the adjustment nuts on the threaded rod to the heim, install everything loosely, and then I think she'll fall into place for you.

 

[1GCHK23D]

Pictures by yll43909 - Photobucket

 

[HairTiesAndBowTies]

Thanks so much for the help. The pics have really helped. Now I at least know I'm installing it correctly, maybe I just didn't mess with it enough. I know the inner piece of the rod end rotates and was thinking that would give enough to allow me to put the bolts on but just didn't seem to line up right. Either way, the idler arm shouldn't matter being after market because the drag link studs and the nut on the idler would be the same distance apart.

 

[HairTiesAndBowTies]

So it's not my imagination... the bracket won't fit with the aftermarket idler arm. There's a bend in the arm that keeps the bracket from laying flush to the bolts. Now I get to try to return them and go with the centerlink.

 

[1GCHK23D]

I had more trouble with the idler brace too, I would try to get it to work though, they do solve the problem. That's my first time for posting pics, were you able to see them?

 

[HairTiesAndBowTies]

Yes, I just clicked on the link and took me right to them. Just FYI, if you copy the code under the photo, and paste it onto a thread, they'll show up as an actual photo and not just a link.

I fought with the idler bracket for hours, had other people look at it, and there was no way it was working. I could get it all set and lined up, but the rod end just wasn't long enough to thread the second nut on given the angle that the bracket had to be at in order to accommodate the shape of that idler arm.

 

[1GCHK23D]

You did undo the two bolts that hold the idler pivot, right?

 

[HairTiesAndBowTies]

Yes... Here is a pic of the arm

I have the bracket upside down in this pic, but this is when I was just playing around to see how it'd fit. I removed the two bolts by the arrows. The right one is where I had the rod end, left one is where I just removed the factory nut. Once I attached the bracket to the left bolt by the pivot, the rod end was not long enough to go through the right side of the bracket.

 

[1GCHK23D]

You mean if you turn the brace 180 like it's supposed to be it hits the idler arm?

 

[HairTiesAndBowTies]

Yes. It creates about a 20 degree angle of free space between the flat side of the bracket and the arm.

 

[JDT4430]

IIRC I have heard other members on this site say that the braces will not fit with MOOG idler and pitman arms. I could be wrong on this but it is worth checking into.

 

[HairTiesAndBowTies]

IIRC I have heard other members on this site say that the braces will not fit with MOOG idler and pitman arms. I could be wrong on this but it is worth checking into.

Thanks. I'm not sure what kind of idler arm it is, but I'm 99.9% sure that the brace won't fit.

 

[deerejohn]

its true. my idler was a moog and for the life of me i couldnt get it work. i bought a gm one it took 15 minutes it was done.

 

[dmaxstore]

MOOG works very well, we sell and install 30+ sytems per month. I would make sure that you are leaving everything loose when tying to align it up.

By the way are you breaking the tie rods loose at the spindles? this will help.

Here is a "how to install link" we did on Dieselplace that might help.

Diesel Place

 

[N2BRK]

this is weird. Are you sure you have the correct brace on each side and not reversed or something? I mean, regardless of which arm, it still attaches to the bracket and centerlink in the same place as stock.

If you do go w/a straight centerlink, my SuperDiesel one rocks and wasn't overpriced.

 

[HairTiesAndBowTies]

Yes, I'm sure on the install. Attempted it several times Where'd you get your center link N2brk?

 

[N2BRK]

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