Pitman/idler Arms

nick-o · February 15, 2009

I have to head into the dealer tomorrow and just have a question that maybe some of you guys can help me with. The last time I was there they told me that my pitman and idler arms were "cautionary" items. How can I tell what they are telling me is true? I've always had good experiences at this place but lately it seems like they're just trying to take my money. Also, how easy would it be for me to replace? They wanted $650 for the whole job, and just found the parts were only $160 online. I don't think $500 in labor sounds right... just me.

Anways, any thoughts would be awesome.

-Nick

Spurshot · February 15, 2009

I just replaced the pitman and idler arms on my 99 last summer. The truck had 200,000 miles on it. I had only bought the pitman arm and had replaced the tie rod ends, ball joints, etc. and had it at the alignment shop. They noted some play in the steering still and showed me where it was coming from. The idler arm is a part that seems to wear out on all GM vehicles.

When the idler arm wears out, the tie rod can rotate slightly instead of transferring the pitman (steering input) arm force into lateral movement of the tie rod. This causes a percieved "play" in the steering wheel. They should have someone in the truck rock the steering wheel back and forth while they show you the tie rod rotating a bit.

chrisbmo2000 · February 15, 2009

easy to change your self....rent the puller for the pitman arm at a parts store.....a few tools and a little time and a trip to and alignment shop and you are done....how to tell....jack up both sides at once and grab the tire and move it back and forth(with the steering wheel locked) and look at the components in question....any movement and they need replaced...if you still have questions as to weather they are bad a trip to the parts store to "feel" new parts will help

Spurshot · February 15, 2009

I have a good alignment shop that I can trust. They replaced my pitman and idler. I had the parts but hadn't gotten to it yet and was in after I had done the tie rod ends and ball joints. I let them do the work. It wasn't anywhere near $500 labor. More like a $150 or so.

nick-o · February 16, 2009

Thanks guys!

It seemed like everything was fine. Maybe I need to start looking for a new trustable shop or dealer.

ukrkoz · February 16, 2009

Thanks guys!
It seemed like everything was fine. Maybe I need to start looking for a new trustable shop or dealer.

just FYI:

idler takes about 20 minutes to replace, if you have vise and proper sized sockets along with cheatbar.

i rented puller from Shucks, it was free.

Crawling underneath jacked truck is involved.

Pitman is said to have steering gear removed 1st, which means - hydraulic lines to be removed. Some guy in some other forum bragged to remove pitman without this hassle, I doubt.

To check both, you need a helper. jack truck, get under, so that you can clearly see pitman, then idler. Grab long rod that connects both tierods, to steady it, and ask helper to turn steering wheel vigorously left to right.

You either will hear distinct clunk coming from where idler/pitman attach to relay rod, or see play. If you see any play, you better replace them, or "death vobble" is around the corner.

07 CC Sierra · February 16, 2009

What are some symptoms of warn out idler arms?

dorman68 · February 20, 2009

Thanks guys!
It seemed like everything was fine. Maybe I need to start looking for a new trustable shop or dealer.

just FYI:

idler takes about 20 minutes to replace, if you have vise and proper sized sockets along with cheatbar.

i rented puller from Shucks, it was free.

Crawling underneath jacked truck is involved.

Pitman is said to have steering gear removed 1st, which means - hydraulic lines to be removed. Some guy in some other forum bragged to remove pitman without this hassle, I doubt.

To check both, you need a helper. jack truck, get under, so that you can clearly see pitman, then idler. Grab long rod that connects both tierods, to steady it, and ask helper to turn steering wheel vigorously left to right.

You either will hear distinct clunk coming from where idler/pitman attach to relay rod, or see play. If you see any play, you better replace them, or "death vobble" is around the corner.

I agree

Spurshot · February 20, 2009

What are some symptoms of warn out idler arms?

The alignment shop I've been going to for 35 yrs along with many of my friends, showed me where the play in my steering was coming from after I had replaced all the steering linkage except the idler and pitman. When worn, these two components will allow the drag link (long center tierod) to rotate slightly when the steering wheel is rocked back and forth, instead of translating the steering wheel movement into lateral motion as it should.

Get under the front of the truck with the wheels on the ground, have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth, and observe the drag link. If the idler and pitman joints are worn badly, the drag link can rotate slightly. That rotation is just enough to add "play" in the steering wheel when driving.