I was changing my CV axle this weekend and noticed some play in the front end. After a brief search I found it to be my idler arm. The thing was about to break in half!! I was wondering what the deal was with the way my truck had been driving. Anyways I took my OEM one off.. there was nothing wrong with it and replaced it with an aftermarket MOOG one that a British forum member was selling because it wouldn't go on his right hand drive truck. It was supposed to be heavy duty and it had grease zerks in it. Anyways I had 6000 miles on it before it fell apart. I have 31's and have done some mild wheeling on backroads but nothing hardcore. Anyways I wasn't very impressed and thought I would share that if your idler arm is worn out.. rebuild your OEM one..because the whole assembly was $174 from Toyota..ouch Thanks for the help from the guys that emailed me instructions on how to replace that CV axle it went without a hitch with the help of my dad.

 

Man, that sucks. First I've ever heard of a Moog breaking apart. I've got play in mine too, but it's not the idler arm itself, but instead where the arm connects to the tie rod. Might wanna check that out too.

 

Ya that joint is getting replaced next. I was wondering if there was another variable there that caused the arm to go bad or if I just got a lemon. I think it was just a bad one from the start.

 

I rebuilt my stock idler once just after I got the truck, then shortly after it bent. I've been through a bunch of them, they just can't take the 33s and cranked t-bars. Even my current one is tweaked, but that's fine cause it's days are numbered. It's got about 5 left.

One thing I've noticed is if your steering wheel is cocked to the right while driving straight it's a good sign that your idler is bent. Wierd tire wear on the outside of the tread from too much toe-in caused by a bent idler is also a sign. You can also look at the center link (tie rod) and the front crossmember, they should be parallel. If the passenger side is higher then it's tweaked.

 

Doesn't Moog have lifetime warranty/replacement on there parts?
Or is this not possible since you got it from an individual?

 

Mine is cocked to the left. I blamed it on an alignment issue before I found out the idler arm was at fault. I don't know what to start replacing, the arm or the center link?

 

Well the idler usually bends up which pulls the right side tire towards the left required you to turn the wheel to the right to go straight. Mabye yours bent downwards?

Alignment should be the second step after making sure all the components are straight and tight, no slop in the rod ends. If something is loose it will be impossible to align it properly.

 

Idler arm brace.

 

as we speak my 4runner is in the shop getting the idler arm replaced because i was having to keep the steering wheel to the right in order to go straight. i've been told its just from it being "worn" according to the stealership and its taking $275 to replace it....that one hurts

 

The bushings are around $10, a new arm can be had for around $75-150 depending on manufacturer and where you get it.

 

Oh man that sucks you took it to the shop. Mine was $174 from Toyota and it takes about 15 minutes to change it out. 3 bolts hold it to the frame and then you have to pop the joint using a hammer and some tension on it. I can't believe they are charging you a $100 labor for that.....

 

It's not just their idler arms. A couple of months ago, Iw as told that I needed to replace one upper and one lower ball joint, and decided to all 4. I originally bought MOOG parts, and installed them, but the ride seemed worse, and in the end, the brand new MOOG parts were worse than the old ones! I will never buy their stuff again, as I am the one who did all the work.

 

yah well these are all things i wish i had known before i took it in. i originally took it in just to get the tires balanced and rotated and i needed a new gasket on one of the left valves cause it was leaking oil. they called me back and told me that they found the idler was completely worn, which i believe, because my alignment has been bad for a while and pulling to the left just like everyone says it does if the idler arm is shot. but i just wish i had known how easy it was to replace myself and i never would have had them do it.