Steering problem, questions

[Jakester]

My '95 HA4 has a left front wheel that has play side to side and a thumping noise resulting. Looking at the problem, where the tie rods connect there is play. For a better word for it, it looks like a 'y' and where the 'y' pivots on the frame is where the play is. It thumps when going over rough road like fist sized rocks. What is this called and is there a fix? Thanks in advance!

[Stuff99]

the Y is from the wheel to the frame? if so that would lower control arm. most likely the bushings are wore out or broken on the frame side. prob have to pull that apart and replace them before you make the hole not round anymore.

[OldMachinist]

Is the Y shaped piece the part I have the arrow pointing to in the image below? If yes and the bolt isn't just loose then you'll need new bushings. I'd contact one of the site sponsors and see if you can get the bushings or if you have to buy the whole center arm.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg49/calfranch/HondaATCY/CenteringArm.jpg

[Jakester]

Thanks Oldmachinist, thats the part thats got the play. I will check the bolt but I think the bushing is bad. thanks again!

[Jakester]

Oldmachinist,
Is there any tricks getting the center arm off. I got the bushing and am looking at doing the job. There is a cap over the bolt that holds the arm to the frame. Whats up with that, will it just snap off? Thanks for your help!!

[OldMachinist]

I looked at mine and saw the plastic cap it looks like a dust cap to keep crud off the bushing. I havn't taken it apart before but it looks like it should just pop off. The other thing I saw was that the nut on the bottom has been peened into a slot in the bolt so you may have to grind the peened area away to keep from damaging the threads.

[Jakester]

oldmachinist,
I got the new bushing on the arm and everything back together. I haven't run the truck this winter and its been warm enough to work on it lately. Thanks again for your help!

[Doddy]

I replaced the same bushing that i got from mac town mini's. anyhow i did mine 3 months ago and it was great for a while but i did find that after replacing and then driving you will have to go back in and tighten the nut again after it seats itself. the steering issue is coming back again and the wobble is also noticeable again, only when going over bumps over 60kph, but i dont like it. i have taken this off the truck 3 times trying to use washers in different places and to add thickness. nothing is working at all. I hate working on this 1 piece, there are other things that i would like to spend my time on..haha. something has to be causing these to do this. surely these bushing last longer than 3 months, i have put over 3000 kilometers on the truck since. any suggestions?

[Doddy]

oldmachinst... where di u find that drawing? do you have more or a place to find those pics?

[misterturbo]

Looks to be a scan from the Honda Acty manual from lulu.com

[craig30rd]

does anyone know where I can buy a new center arm assembly for my 1991 Honda Acty HA4? The ball joints where the tie rods connect are pretty worn and creating some thumping noises i think... any advice?

[blakkmoon]

Now that spring is here
I am noticing the same thing with mine

Di you ever fix it?

I thing the ball joints in mine might be ok
But there is no grease and they are not serviceable

I have been told that you can convert them to serviceable ones
with a drill press and grease nipples

gonna give that a shot soon

[Ironraven]

I don't have a Honda, but I did replace the Idler Arm Bushing with oil-impregnated brass bushings instead of the weak rubber things that it comes with from the factory. Made a world of difference...

[Vitnzjp]

Ironraven, is it custom made part or "free-avaliable"?

[Ironraven]

It was a custom made part, I brought the idler arm to a local machinist and he turned me one on his lathe, then pressed it in for me.

http://www.minitrucktalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5317&stc=1&d=1298719038

http://www.minitrucktalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5318&stc=1&d=1298719038

[Vitnzjp]

Thanks for photos and idea. I should look around for a good mechanic