No idea what it's called, as my mechanical experience is very limited, especially with this fairly new-to-me 4runner.

I've had it for a few months now, got it cheap as a project. It's always had a bit of a clunk on the right front when going over a particularly large bump or dip to quickly, but that has developed into an extremely annoying rattle just going down the road.

Anyway, I took the tire off and started manhandling stuff to see if I could duplicate the noise, and sure enough, there's a good 1/4" gap at the top and bottom of this assembly, whatever it is, that makes that noise. Seems like I should be able to take the nut off, drop a couple of washers or somesuch on, and put it back on. Only thing is it is on there GOOD, and I don't have the right size wrench. Seems just a bit larger than a 17mm, but I'm not sure how much. 19mm maybe? Got a marginal phone pic, if it's not clear enough I can get a better one with a camera.

 

Not sure about the nut size but that's the idler arm.

 

either a 17mm or 19mm i forget

 

Your probably better off replacing the whole idler arm , they should be around $70 at auto zone

 

I have found that the cheap autozone and schucks ones do not last very long.

There are a few writeups on here about rebuilding the idler arm with a brass bushing kit, or just buy a new one fromm toyotapartsales.com

 

yep yep, that be yee Idler Arm

a VERY comon item to ware out with normal driving, and if you wheel the truck then it's only a matter of time before you kill the bushings in it, or bend it, lol


yeah I would say just rebuild it, but if you're automotive knowelge is limited, you're probably better off just buying a hole new one and replacing the entire assembly, but that will cost you more

for the rebuild, you can get factory replacement plastic bushings that ware faster, or get aftermarket brass bushings that will hold up a lot better

if you go the route of replacing the entire thing, all it takes is to remove the 3 bolts that hold it to the frame (all 17mm bolts and nuts if I'm not mistaken), and a pitman arm remover to get the ball-socket end off the relay/tie rod.

if it's to the point of making that much noise and wiggles that much, you'll also notice a HUGE change in the general stability of the truck while driving on the road after installing a new one with no play. It was almost a night and day difference when I replaced mine; just feels so much safer

 

How do I get it off?

 

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/idler/

 

Ummmmm. He just told you ^^^. If you really have to ask that you should probly just take it somewhere and have them do it. From that picture you can see the 3 bolts holding it to the frame. That plus a pitman arm remover and your done. Like he just said... Up there... ^^^....

 

Didn't read before I posted last. Not familiar with this pittman thing.

After monkeying with it a bit, it seems absurdly easy to just replace the bushings and grease seals, as per the above link. Anyone happen to know the part numbers for the bushings, dust/grease seals, and cap?

 

judging by previous posts, i would suggest buying a new one, you'll be into it for more money than it's worth if you happen to ruin a seal, or bushing during the replacement.

 

The parts are a couple of bucks each, and I've already had it apart and back together now, that part is way easy.

 

Dude give it a shot and do it yourself If you dont fix it then oh well buy a new one ,but first try to rebuild it yourself.

 

Yeah, it's cake, I just need the part numbers, the local stealership parts guys are just about useless.

 

really? did you even call them? ive gone to 4 or 5 dealers and only one had stupid parts guys and thats because it was a GM dealer too and they hated toyotas. Those parts shouldnt be too expensive, and you know what they are so they shouldnt be too hard to describe.

 

Yeah, it's pretty sad when Toyota buys stock in GM and GM won't give them the time of day.
Wasn't the Geo Prism the same as a Corolla? Ever look close at the Malibu and notice it's a Camry in disguise? And the Pontiac Vibe IS a Toyota Matrix....
Too bad GM went to Isuzu for their trucks instead of Toyota. And Honda / Acura uses Isuzu for their SUV's....

 

The part numbers are in the write up I linked. Geez...

 

Yea to bad for GM , Dummies!!!

 

My sincerest apologies, I didn’t see the part number for the grease seal in the article while I was covered in grease, reading on my iPhone. What must my penance be?

 

With apologies to the creator of this pic.