Written by Desert Rat

Tools Needed:
• 19mm Socket and Wrench
• 17mm Socket
• 10mm Socket

Information:
The Idler Arm Braces offered by AC and Calmini are designed to gusset one of our weakest links - the idler arm mount. Close inspection of this piece reveals a stamped metal bracket secured to the frame with 3 bolts and a shaft that the idler arm slides onto which is tack welded to the inside of this piece of metal. Not exactly the beef most of us wheelers would like to see. The Idler arm brace gussets the bottom end of this pin, greatly increasing its strength.

The AC and Calmini pieces differ somewhat in design, but they both serve the same purpose. The Calmini brace requires removal of the entire idler arm mount, as it utilizes all three bolt holes and sandwiches between the frame and the idler arm mount. The AC installation is a bit simpler, requiring only removal of the front two nuts on the idler arm mount. It installs over the top of the mount and does not require removal of the whole assembly. While the Calmini mount is more secure, both braces provide adequate protection against the idler arm mounting shaft bending.

Installation:
Begin by removing the skidplate using a 10mm socket. While this may not be absolutely necessary, it makes getting to the bolt heads inside the frame much easier.

AC Brace:
• To install the AC brace, remove the nut and washer on the bottom of the idler arm using a 17mm socket.
• Remove the front two nuts securing the idler arm mount to the frame. You'll need a 19mm wrench and socket for this.
• Slide the end of the brace with one hole over the idler arm shaft, sandwiching the washer between the idler arm and the brace.
• Push the two frame bolts through the upper two holes on the brace.
• Reinstall the 17mm nut on the bottom of the idler arm shaft and tighten to spec.
• Reinstall the two 19mm nuts on the mount and tighten to spec.
• Locktite is recommended.
• Reinstall the skidplate.

Calmini Brace:
• To install the Calmini brace, again remove the nut and washer on the bottom of the idler arm using a 17mm socket.
• Remove all three nuts securing the idler arm mount to the frame. You'll need a 19mm wrench and socket for this.
• Remove the idler arm assembly (you can leave the idler arm connected to the centerlink.
• Install the Calmini idler arm brace between the frame and the idler arm mount. Ensure the idler arm shaft goes through the hole on the bottom of the brace.
• Reinstall the 3 bolts through the brace and idler arm mount.
• Reinstall the idler arm nut using a 17mm socket, and the three nuts securing the idler arm mount and brace to the frame using a 19mm socket and wrench. Tighten to spec.
• Again, locktite is recommended.
• Reinstall the skidplate.

This is an easy job that takes only a few minutes, yet provides piece of mind on the trail knowing that your idler arm mount is gusseted.