So I went to get my alignment done and the dude tells me he can't align it because my idler arm and pitman arm are shot. Fine. So i'm looking for new parts and most are fairly expensive. I'm looking at around 100 bucks minimum. Then i came upon these..http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PITMA...spagenameZWDVW
I know they're probably not as-good quality but take in mind i'm not gonna be doing much off-roading. At most some fun in mud at azusa. I just really need my truck up and running since I'm starting school soon and i can't drive on the freeway with this bad of alignment and i'm so busy with school that i have a hard time making enough money for gas let alone 100+ for these parts and my truck is gonna be my DD for awhile(until i finish my Acura). After i have a different DD ill focus on making this truck a trail-rig, but until then should these hold up? Anyone bought these before? Any other recommendations? oh btw its a 1986 4Runner..

 

For under 50 bucks give them a try you never know they seem to have a dam good feedback score so they must take care of there buyers if there is a problem.

 

Can't beat that. Go for it.

 

Looks like cheap chinese crap to me "This units are NEW High quality "OEBrand" aftermarket replacement, "


I would buy a used OEM arm and gusset it

 

the only used one's that I have seen are for around 50 and thats just for the arm, I need the pitman too! Plus, isn't the gusset kit like 50 dollars? You think these won't hold up?..Plus there's no yota yards around here for me to buy these parts.

 

I would buy the ones you found, and save the cash to put a gusset on them as soon as you can afford it. A gusset will help any idler arm you can throw at your truck and extend it's service life immensely whether you drive highway or wheel your truck every weekend. Highway can be bad for steering components if it isn't an immaculately loved highway that get's every little pothole filled in every few weeks, think about it....you are doing anywhere between 50 and 70+ mph and hitting potholes. That is a pretty good "shock" to the system from the tires to the frame, even with good shocks.

 

Which ones are you referring to? The ebay one?

 

unless your idler is bent severly, you should be able to rebuild it. there is a post on here detailing a bronze bushing replacement kit with a zerk grease fitting and drill bit included.

search up 'bronze bushing, idler arm' or similar and you should find it.

lee

 

I took an e-Bay idler apart the other day from arm_can & the upper rod was pencil thin. I know the earlier ones were thinner than the later model ones but I don't know by how much. Other than being much thinner it was identical & the one I got is actually a rebadged Moog part (if you believe the packaging). I'd say as long as you don't off road with it, it should be fine. Off road it & I bet it bends like a twizzler the first time you stress it at all.


Edit: Those bronze bushings are $65 dude lol

 

Thanks thats pretty much exactly what i needed to hear..I wish i could off-road but as a college student i barely have money for gas and offroading can get expensive(ask me how my idler arm got bent!)..when i get enough money to put a gusset on it, will a downey gusset fit these?

 

I believe the earlier thin rod idler arms used a different gusset than the later model thick rod idlers, also those bronze bushings are cut for the thick rod idler arms, if yours is thin they won't work.

Edit: I'd sell you the arms I got from that set I bought; I'm not going to use them.

 

That'd be awesome but do you have the pitman arm too?

 

Yep I have the idler & the pitman that came with the kit I bought. I am probably only going to use the ball joints & tie rod ends.

 

Well give me a price and we'll start talkin drop me a PM

 

P.M. sent. I'll beat the e-Bay ad by a little but even for discount parts that's a steal @$48 for both shipped from the e-Bay seller. Oh, yeah I don't know if I mentioned it but these are brand new & haven't been installed.