Idler Arm Removal (2WD This Time)

[NightRunner]

Hello everyone,

My truck has been sidelined by what I thought was a bad ball joint(s) due to the fact my truck had a horrible passenger side wheel wobble while driving 30-65mph, but after closer inspection it appears the ball joints and pitman arm are fine but it's the idler arm that's about to fall apart. What entails removing a 2WD idler arm? I've seen a lot of 4WD replacement posts and videos but they appear to have a different setup than the 2WD counterpart as far as placement and access points goes. From what I can tell, removing the arm is as simple as removing the arm-to-frame bolts, removing the nut that connects the arm to the center link, pulling it and replacing it with new (after a night of soaking it in PB blaster of course).

Am I missing something here or is it that easy? Definitely ready to get my truck back on the road ASAP!

Thanks all!

 

[JackE]

It's that easy.

 

[NightRunner]

Beautiful, looks like I'll be knocking it out within the next couple of weeks. So ready to not feel like my right wheel is about to fall off

 

[454cid]

...So ready to not feel like my right wheel is about to fall off

Haha, yes. For me it was an upper ball joint.

 

[NightRunner]

Haha, yes. For me it was an upper ball joint.

That's exactly what I thought too, but my ball joint seems to be nice and sturdy. The idler arm however has a noticable split and gives the entire steering set up a TON of play lol

 

[GarrettGmc]

Yea they're really easy on both 2wd an 4wd. If your not set on just ordering a factory replacement or something for a parts store check out this - https://supersteerparts.com/product...r-arm-support-93-98-gm-1500-2500-trucks-suvs/

I have it on my burb and I'll be putting one one my 94 2wd as well. It's a bit pricey but I dnt have any worries abt breaking it or having any problems with it, 4 years on.

 

[Bob L]

The idler arm is a taper fit into the center link and will usually need a few good wacks with a heavy hammer with a hammer backing it up so it doesn't just bounce.

 

[Jared Jackson]

We hit mine with an air hammer and a flat punch/chisel attachment, like a hammer head... didn’t budge... so we hit it with an air hammer and a pickle fork attachment for the air hammer... immediately popped loose.

It reacted to the splitting force of the pickle fork! You can usually rent one of those on the cheap.

I assume you are replacing the arm bracket and the arm?

 

[arrg]

Is this on the 91 in your signature? If so, the idler arm and bracket are all one piece. Just two bolts on the frame to get it off. Don't drop the nuts inside the frame or they're a pain to get out.

 

[NightRunner]

That's correct, this is my '91. Plan is to replace both the bracket and the arm since it appeared to be all in one piece. I've also got a BFH that I can use to get things separated, can't be any worse than the stock spindles were.