I took my truck in to the local Les Schwab, the one that is now riddled with bullet holes, to have my tire balance checked. Like any shop should, they're always looking for other items that need repair. I like these guys and have been doing business with them for many years and generally trust them.

The guy comes back and tells me my idler arm is worn out and needs replacement, which we all know is the weak spot in our steering system. I tell him no problem, I'll just replace the bushings and he replies that the ball joint is worn out. I haven't checked myself but I'm thinking the guy misdiagnosed.

Any body ever heard of the idler ball joint failing? I haven't. If so, how would you tell the difference between idler bushing and ball joint wear?

 

Had to replace mine because the ball joint wore out before the bushings did. Just go to Autozone and get yourself an FA5040. Probably already the correct part number for your truck. But just in case it isn't ask for the FA5040.

 

Thanks for the reply!! That's interesting, I guess it goes to show anythings possible.

I had already ordered the FA5040 from Autozone online. A different part number came up using their vehicle parts search so I just keyed the part number into their general search window to find it. I was going to install SDORI bushings in it but now that I know the ball joint can wear just as well I'll hold off to see what wears out first.

 

If it's a daily driver with factory sized tires on it that doesn't see off-road trails, chances are the ball joint will wear out before the bushings.

 

Its new to me, but from what I know of the history you nailed it. Thanks again.

 

xxxtreme22r,
I need an idler arm for the '87 4Runner I just got. The autozone website says I need an FA1739. Is this correct? Or do I get the FA5040? Just curious because I see that you have an '87 truck.

 

Don't go by what Autozone says for your truck, get the FA5040 it's for the newer trucks. Like the 92-95's.

 

So the FA5040 will bolt right up on my '87 then? Sorry, I just want to be clear. I have never messed with the idler arm.

 

Yup, 100% Bolt in.

 

Thank you

 

The only time I have ever seen the bushings wear out 1st, is when I had 33's on my p/u, and used it as a skidder, always had to keep an extra set of bushings on hand, cuz she destroyed them quickly.

Both my 4runners however, the ball joint always wears out 1st. I'm thinking thats cuz I run 31's or smaller most of the time, but they get just as much off-road use as the p/u did, The 94 in my sig is now my skidder

 

I am going to attempt this tonight. I have an idler arm that has too much play and am installing FA5040 from Autozone in place of the stock Toyota arm. I may also install a new pitman arm. Thanks to everyone on this site for their advice. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

 

So the idler arm replacement went well on my 93. I installed the Duralast FA5040 as advised by many here including 4Crawler (that guy is awesome). I installed Old Man Emu stabilizer and Bilstein shocks. I'll see if I can post pics this weekend. Trying it out tomorrow. I am a little worried about the tie rod as it is weeping grease at the joint but it is not loose. Should I replace it or wait until it actually feels loose? \


Thanks
JARED

 

Just as a side note, Les Schwab is notorious for finding things wrong to make the upsell. Always double check their diagnosis if you can.

 

On the Sankei 555 OEM idler arm, the post that goes into the center link is actually just a post, not a ball joint. I recently replaced the boot on mine as it was torn and was surprised to find just the post...