Bell Cranks and Bell Crank/Idler Arms

There are several different components that contribute to good steering in your coach. There’s the steering wheel, coupler, two-three universal couplings, steering gear, sector shaft splines, the pitman arm, drag link, bell crank, tie rod ends and the tie rod end sleeves. But one part that is often overlooked is the bell crank arm itself, also known as an idler arm. The bell crank/idler arm attaches to the bottom of the bell crank and to the steering center link on Chevrolet/Workhorse P32 motorhome chassis. All of the pressure from the steering gear box is transmitted through the bell crank/idler arm joint on the driver’s side, which causes premature wear and contributes to excessive steering play and loose steering feel. The SuperSteer bell crank/idler arm is precision built to handle higher steering forces than its OEM counterpart. The driver’s side bell crank/idler arm utilizes tapered roller bearings top and bottom, and can be adjusted for correct end play. The passenger side bell crank/idler arm uses a ball and socket arrangement, and is built to our specifications using tighter tolerances than stock. Both bell crank/idler arms are greaseable for long life and are made right here in the USA. By the way, we no longer have a core charge on the passenger side bell crank/idler arm assemblies, as these are all new instead of rebuilt.

Here’s some interesting information about where the term “bell crank” came from. The history of the bell crank goes back to the days of large houses and plantations. It was originally developed to operate the servant’s bell. The crank would change the vertical pull on a rope to a horizontal pull on the striker of the bell. Hence, the name bell crank.

Today, bell cranks are used in many different industries. Most notably, you will find bell cranks in aircraft control systems and automotive applications. They operate in a limited space which is the big advantage to using a bell crank in mechanical systems.
In aircraft, bell cranks are commonly found in control rods, which help change the direction of the aircraft. They are often used in push-pull tube systems to decrease the length of the individual tubes, and thus the rigidity of the system.

In the automotive industry, bell cranks are used in linkage connecting systems. These different bell cranks can be used for throttle control, brake control and steering.

Of course, the most popular type of bell crank is one that is made by SuperSteer for trucks and motorhomes. It is designed to replace worn factory idle assemblies that cause excessive side-to-side movement, free play and road wander. The Super Steer bell crank will provide tighter, better steering response in your motorhome.

How To Identify Your Chassis

Our products are designed for specific chassis, and we realize that not all of our customers know what type of chassis they have–so here are some simple tips to follow.
The first and easiest way is to look at the steering wheel on your motorhome–it will usually have the Ford logo, or say “Workhorse” “Spartan” or some other brand. If there is no label, your motorhome registration will have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that will tell us what chassis your coach rides on. We have information on Workhorse, Ford and Chevy chassis to draw from, and we’ve also found that vinquery.com is a great resource to determine what chassis you have. Simply enter the VIN number, and it will come back with basic information on your coach. The only time we run into problems is with Country Coach motorhomes, because the VIN number doesn’t tell you the type of chassis. With these coaches, we’ll usually advise the customer to take the coach to a shop that can find the suspension tag on the front cross member of the chassis, or a part number on one of the shock absorbers. We can also tell the customer where to find the suspension tag or shock code on their coach if they’re comfortable crawling underneath.
Knowing what chassis you have will make it easier to find products for Safer and Happier Driving. God bless!

SuperSteer Idler Arm Support featured in 8 Lug HD Truck Mag!

SuperSteer’s Idler Arm Support was featured in the February edition of 8 Lug HD Truck magazine. To see the article simply click here! Improve steering response & reduce component wear on your ’93-Current GM truck, van or SUV with the SuperSteer Idler Arm Support!

More new installation videos posted: coil springs; idler support & brace kit; tie rod

We have 3 new installation videos for you!

1. Installation video for the SS175K8 Idler Support and Brace Kit. Stronger cast aluminum housing and heavy-duty tapered roller bearings reduce play and eliminate steering slop. The result is precise steering, reduced effort and log component/tire life.

2. Installation video for the SuperSteer HD Tie Rod (Part#SS28559). “Make bent tie-rods a thing of the past!” SuperSteer’s new heavy-duty tie rod is a full one-inch forging, compared to the factory’s 1/2″. It also incorporates a 30mm ball compared to the stock 25 mm, and offers 37 degrees of stud swing compared to only 28 for the factory part. The SuperSteer HD tie rod assembly is available for most 2001-2007 Chevy/GMC 1500, 2500, 3500 2WD and 4WD trucks, Avalanche 2500, Suburban/Yukon XL 2500 and ’03-’07 Hummer H2.

3. Installation video for SuperSteer coil springs–you’ll be able to restore lost ride height, have better handling and eliminate the air bags.