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Help Idler Arm

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Old 04-13-2009, 04:18 PM
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Help Idler Arm

My truck shakes like crazy at 45 miles per hour. Took it in to the shop to get the balance and alignment done to fix at firestone and they said , the front right idle arm was broken, should it to me. It is not broken , but it has some free play in it, is this a problem or were they just jerking my chain? If it is the problem i am going to order one and do it myself.

thanks
Old 04-13-2009, 04:40 PM
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The front right as opposed to the front left idler arm? lol!

Does it still shake around at 45mph? Does it have LOTS of free play or a wee little? It's an easy thing to change out with the help of TRE puller. Is the arm bent? You can get new bushings from the dealership and try that, it's cheaper if nothing else is wrong with the arm.
Old 04-13-2009, 04:43 PM
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have some shake the steering wheel and look...like stated above, is it bad or just a lil bit?
Old 04-13-2009, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by BigBluePile
The front right as opposed to the front left idler arm? lol!

Does it still shake around at 45mph? Does it have LOTS of free play or a wee little? It's an easy thing to change out with the help of TRE puller. Is the arm bent? You can get new bushings from the dealership and try that, it's cheaper if nothing else is wrong with the arm.
Yes the front right...

it has a little free play in it. The left side doesnt. I also noticed the front left has a bushing , the messed up side doesnt.
Old 04-13-2009, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by dcmbsc
Yes the front right...

it has a little free play in it. The left side doesnt. I also noticed the front left has a bushing , the messed up side doesnt.
Ok, didn't get the joke.

The left front should be your Pitman arm which has this huge a$$ nut bolting it the steering gearbox. Not sure about the bushing...
Old 04-13-2009, 04:59 PM
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There is only one idler arm. Just get a new one from autozone or checker, life time warranty. Should run around $60.00. Its a super super easy 10 minute job with a tie rod puller, or, I prefer a pickle fork. you can borrow one from autozone through their free loan a tool service, but I would just buy one for 15 bucks, I garantee youle use it again.
Old 04-13-2009, 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by son_of_a_lc
There is only one idler arm. Just get a new one from autozone or checker, life time warranty. Should run around $60.00. Its a super super easy 10 minute job with a tie rod puller, or, I prefer a pickle fork. you can borrow one from autozone through their free loan a tool service, but I would just buy one for 15 bucks, I garantee youle use it again.
yes sir! they're great to have



old:



NEW!



and yes, btw, the pitman arm on the driver's side, completely different, in form and function:





Last edited by iamsuperbleeder; 04-13-2009 at 05:23 PM.
Old 04-14-2009, 08:50 AM
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The question i have is , is this messed up idle arm , the reason for the shakeing?
Old 04-14-2009, 09:11 AM
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It could be.

Does it still shake after your aligment and everything?
Old 04-14-2009, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by BigBluePile
It could be.

Does it still shake after your aligment and everything?
I havent gotten the alignment done cause I am going to get new tires soon i hope and they said it would be a waist of money to balance them because they are about bald. Then they said the front right idler arm needs to be replaced.
Old 04-14-2009, 09:52 AM
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Ooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you never actually GOT the aligment...hhmmm. Sure, then, change out the idler and get some tires!!! lol!
Old 04-14-2009, 10:06 AM
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agreed
Old 04-14-2009, 10:10 AM
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I just tried tried to get my 4runner aligned yesterday and was told my Idler arm and pitman arm need replaced. I picked up the Idler arm from Advanced for $50. It was an incredibly easy home repair. 3 17mm Bolts with 17mm nuts/washers through the frame and the castle nut on the stud. 2 wacks on the stud with a hammer popped the joint apart.
Old 04-14-2009, 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by iamsuperbleeder



What is that big black thing behind the pitman arm? Is it the steering stabilizer?
Old 04-14-2009, 10:19 AM
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Here is the new Idler Arm. Torque the 3 17mm nuts/bolts to 105 ft/lbs and the castle nut to 43 ft/lbs.
Old 04-14-2009, 11:08 AM
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Why wouldnt you just pull and replace the bushings?? I did that to mine right after the steering relay rod was replaced and alignment...$4.50 a piece at shucks, (you need two)...all shaking gone.
Old 04-14-2009, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by 894x4pickup
Why wouldnt you just pull and replace the bushings?? I did that to mine right after the steering relay rod was replaced and alignment...$4.50 a piece at shucks, (you need two)...all shaking gone.
Dude?!? Seriously?

First off, how's spring break and that sweet video.

Second, see post #Duece.





HAHAHAH!!!!
Old 04-14-2009, 12:28 PM
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Downey invented the Idler Arm Gusset:

http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...s/1986-95.html

Buy a new idler arm and one of the Downey gussets and you'll never have to worry about it again!
Old 04-14-2009, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by BigBluePile
Dude?!? Seriously?

First off, how's spring break and that sweet video.

Second, see post #Duece.





HAHAHAH!!!!

Ok ok sorry...one little line devoted to the bushings...i just thought id post a WHOLE post about the bushings ...plus the $4.50 is important compared to the $50.00 new idler arm! (at least for me at the time.)

But...I started a full time job!!!!!! Im sooo psyched...interviews went perfectly took all of spring break for job training etc....its dishwashing...but still...the paycheck= more $$$ for the truck Sooo...full time school+ full time work= not alot of yotatech *tears* and not alot of time for the video...maybe ill get my bro to do it... only get Sunday monday off...soo all the mods will have to happen in like 2 days per week...
Old 04-14-2009, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by BoostinChick
What is that big black thing behind the pitman arm? Is it the steering stabilizer?
are you reffering to the shiny thing to the right or the grimey looking protruting from the top?

the shiny thing to the right is a new steering stabilizer




the grimey looking thing protruding down right about center of the arm is the stopping brace for the pitman arm; there's a similar one on the other side for the idler arm too


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