Joyota

I just picked up new idler arm bushings and dust seals for my truck today. After looking at other posts here, I'm wondering if I got the right parts. Here's the part numbers:
Idler Arm Bushing 90304-31012
Idler Arm Dust Seal 90386-18002

My truck is an '89 4x4 Pickup, 22re, Manual Transmission, with Power Steering.

I read an article on 4x4wire about rebuilding the idler arm of pre-Tacoma pickups. They don't specify exactly what part numbers are for what trucks. Here are the stated part numbers:
90385-18068 Bushing for "older" trucks
90386-19005 Bushing for "newer" trucks (parts.com says this is for 4wd, 1993-1998)
90304-31012 Dust Seal (parts.com says this is for 4wd, 1993-1998)

Regardless, neither number matches what I received. I'd like to get this done asap. Anyone have an answer as to what part numbers I need?

Joyota

Anyone? Please

shiftless89

90386-18002 Is the correct number for the bushings (you need 2x) . the other is the correct number for the lower dust seal.
you should just need 2 of those, a little grease. knock the cap off using a chisel (hit upward to prevent too much damage for re-use) disasemble, lube slide new busings on reassemble.. tap cap back on done....

Joyota

Well, I called my local Toyota dealer yesterday to verify that parts they sold me were correct for my truck. I got the same lady that originally ordered the parts. To tell you the truth, I think they should send her for more training. When I told her I needed part #s for the idler arm bushings, she asked if I needed "both sides". This question was asked by her the first time too.

Anyway, after educating her, this time she looked the bushings up using my VIN. Indeed, the same part numbers came up. After hanging up with her, I said to myself "they just better be the right ones". My wife was at work, so I would have no transportation, and it was a Thursday. If I had to order new parts, they wouldn't come in until the following Monday... not good.

About 2:30 yesterday afternoon I started the job. There was "nothing" difficult about it. Unmounting the arm and disassembling it went smooth as silk. After I got it apart, I compared the new bushings to the old. Low and behold, they "were" the right ones. After cleaning everything up, wire brushing the dust cap, using steel wool on the shaft, cleaning all the crap out of the housing, greasing inside where the shaft goes, etc., I reassembled the arm. It was nice and tight... I could turn the shaft inside the housing, but it was nice and snug, with absolutely no play... perfect! I then mounted it and had it torqued down at about 4:15.

Time for the test drive. Before the rebuild, the biggest problem was when I hit the brakes, the truck would pull to the right (the arm is on the right side). The smallest problem was a little wandering going down the road. Now the truck drives great! No wandering and the pulling to the side is gone.

Bottom Line... Point One: Bushing number 90386-18002 is a correct one for an 89 4x4 22re pickup, with power steering. Point Two: If you have any pulling to the side issues or wandering issues, rebuild your idler arm. It doesn't take long, it's cheap enough, and it just may fix whatever ails your front end.

Joyota

Shiftless, thanks for your reply!