Re: PS idler arm
The 1956 model year was the first time they switched to the encased rubber bushings on the idler arms.
The '54/55 cars with power steering had a very complex system incorporating a set of standoff/inserts at top and bottom of the steering arm or idler arm bracket. There was an accompanying large round roller bearing and flat-washers that sat on the standoff at each end. There was no need for a press. The standoffs were machined to fit snugly in the bore of the steering arm and idler arm bracket. Each roller bearing had a grease fitting. The problem with this arrangement was that no one ever greased the roller bearings, they dried out and started to cause hard steering. However, the design (if it had been properly maintained) was superior to the later encased rubber bushings.
Once upon a time, Timken made replacement roller bearings, but the pattern was dropped when they started stamping in china, and no other bearing companies produce replacements for that pattern today.
I had a complete original '57 PS setup which only had the metal encased rubber bushings with large flat-washer and castle-nut on the end. Flat-washers were only about 1/16" thick.
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