Need a little front end help

[zach1990]

Ill be replacing my tie rods, pitman arm, and idler arm soon since the alignment shop pointed out to me they need it and I've noticed the steering getting looser. I have never done this before so I was hoping someone could offer some advise on the replacement process. Particularly how do the inner tie rods disconnect from the steering bar and how do the pitman and idler arms come off? Do I need any special tools? And any tips to make it easier on myself are welcome. I about died when the shop gave me a price so I'm gonna tackle it myself when I go on vacation. Found all the parts on rockauto.com for a great price as well

 

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[gmtech4]

you need a service manual and some experience first fixing other stuff before tackling steering parts Zach

 

it just sounds like you are a novice,,,,this is not a novice repair,,,my 2 cents

[zach1990]

Yeah I'm by no means a master at it. All I've done to the front end myself is ball joints and cv axles. I was hoping it'd be something I could do myself. The shop wants $700 to do all that and 2 ball joints..

[gmtech4]

oh ,it just read different ,,,,,center bar which holds the idler and pitman arm is the tie rod ,the left and right inner tie rod ends thread into the ends of the tie rod ,,,,,the outer tie rod ends thread onto the inners and couple to the steering knuckle

 

 

some people use a fork to remove tie rod ends,idler pitman from tie rod ,,,you need a pitman arm puller for the obvious ,,,,you have to remove the 3 bolts that secures the steering box to the frame and with the pitman arm pointing to the driver side (after tie rod is dropped from pitman and idler ),pull the steering box rearward to access the nut ,remove the nut with an air tool and hook up pitman arm puller (push sector shaft seal up into box slightly so puller doesnt damage it)

 

please torque everything upon reinstallation

 

idler arm and its mount are removed together and separated on a bench/vise

[jhm]

Yeah I'm by no means a master at it. All I've done to the front end myself is ball joints and cv axles. I was hoping it'd be something I could do myself. The shop wants $700 to do all that and 2 ball joints..

That is what I paid for the same job in 2007. I would say it is a fair price plus you dont spend your entire vacation on a creeper.