Andy A

94 SR5 V6 4x4 extra cab.
Normally the idler arm issues are with the bushings/bearings wearing out on the shaft, but I am having just the opposite experience, the ball end going bad. My original Toyota one lasted approx 15 years, bearings/bushings were just fine in it but play had developed in the ball end. Purchased the FA5040 as a replacement in 2010 and I just had to exchange it for the same reason. Front suspension is all stock with a few items replaced over the years, ie: tie rods, center link, pitman arm, and power steering gear box. I do want to do the control arm bushings, wheel bearings, ball joints, and steering knuckle bushings at some point in the near future.

Any clues as to why the ball end on the idller arm would be wearing prematurely??

Thanks in advance
Cheers

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

how many miles did you put on the rig in last 4yr since replacing? what type of driving?

things i immediately think of is a loose/bad connection at that particular joint (I guess it depends on WHERE the ball end is worn). also you didn't mention replacing the steering stabilizer shock - so if it's worn, this could put excessive stress/force on the steering link and all parts connected to it.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Hard call to make now if it sat in the gayrage for 360 days a year you might have a problem

Lets see some pictures of this wear??

Andy A

Truck has 231000 miles on it. Replaced the stock idler arm at approx 190000 miles so I don't have anything to complain about with it. The FA5040 I replaced it with has approx 40000 miles on it, but the same type of failure, start to get play at the ball end of the idler arm. Just seemed peculiar, especially since the overwhelming majority of failure related to the idler arm is with the bushings. Autozone was more than happy to replace the FA5040 after 4 yrs, I just need to get my butt in gear and install it and hope for the best.

wyoming9, I would post some pics but they would not be able to show the play between the center link and the idler arm. A video on the other hand would, but I would need a helper and that is more than likely not going to happen. Helpers are scarce at this home:-(
I think I need to check the taper of the hole on the center link and make sure it correct

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I need to ask what size tires your using??

I have seen over the years bigger tires causing all sorts of abnormal wheel bearing and steering linkage problems.

Did it have the normal up and down movement where a good bump could pull the ball out of the socket wear??

You got 40,000 miles I would think that was about normal for wear on parts these days.

Andy A

Using the stock tires 31 x 10.5 x 15. Nothing unusual with the suspension all stock except for the rear which has some additional leafs. Also replaced all the rear bushings approx 3 to 4 months ago with poly.

Cannot think of anytime in the last 40000+ miles that it has left the pavement.

To me it is just odd that the FA5040 would wear out in that short of time compared to the stock one lasting 190000 miles. Stuff happens and the FA5040 has a good warranty..

Got the new one in this morning so all is back to normal again. Will have to keep a close eye on this one. I am hoping soon to rebuild the front suspension ie: control arm bushings, ball joints, steering knuckle bushings, tie rods, and wheel bearings.

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

are the torsion bars cranked?

Andy A

Nope, never been messed with. Bought the truck new in 94, so at least I don't have to contend with what some other owner may have done.

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

did you determine where on the ball-end that the failure/wear occurred? the rest of the suspension parts shouldn't really put that much stress on the idler joint unless it's super sloppy. i suppose it could be a combo of loose bearings, loose/non-dampening stabilizer, worn control arm bushings, etc but i doubt it since it sounds like you did all this stuff at one point and it's not all original parts.....actually, what brand of parts replaced all this stuff?

when's the last time you got an alignment?

Andy A

highonpottery,



Truck does needs some work on the front which I hope to address this fall/winter/spring. There are components in the front suspension that need replacing just due to age and miles. Items tested individually do not show significant wear but when they are all put together are probably causing some problems.



1) control arm bushings (will probably use poly)

2) steering knuckle bushings

3) ball joints

4) wheel bearings

5) tie rod ends



Things that are relatively new (ie in the last year)

1) steering gear box

2) pitman arm (Raybestos Professional grade)

3) Idler arm (FA5040)

4) alignment



Center link and inner tie rods were replaced under the recall a number of years back.

I try to use toyota parts whenever possible, or try to find some of the 555 pieces.

I will try and see if I can get some kind of short video up showing the wear on the idler. When it was on the truck I did not have the extra hands to shoot one but being off the truck I can just pop it in a vice to show the wear.