i have a 85 fitth ave i know for sure my idler arm is gettin ready to break my ? is i have always thought my steering gear box was bad with the fact with i know for sure the idler arm is wasted do i have to worry about the steering gear box what the whole front end does is i have alot of play in the steering wheel and when i move my front tires left to right they with my hands they also have alot of play i can have one side jacked up and the tire on the ground still moves back and forth with the one in the air i hope i gave you enough info to help diagnose it if not let me know and ill get the info you need thank you for your time
2007-04-28 02:27:29 · 5 answers · asked by drew d 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You need to get someone to move the steering wheel while you look closely at each joint in the steering and see where the lost motion occurs. Replace the tie rod ends or idler arm where the lost motion occurs. If there is lost motion in the steering box you may be able to adjust it somewhat by the adjustment screw in the top, if it's a worm and peg type box. If not it would have to be replaced.
2007-04-28 02:34:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idler arm is probably a lot of the play, but you need to be looking at the pitman arm which is the short arm attached to the steering gear box when you are moving the tires with your hands. See how much play you have without moving that arm. All of that play will be from your ball joints, tie rod ends and the idler arm. Then have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch the pitman arm for movement. Any play there will be in the steering gear. Hope this helps
2007-04-28 09:41:45 · answer #2 · answered by Ron B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Raise the vehicle & place on jack stands
2. Inspect all steering part by pushing upward on all tierod ends & the idler arm.
3. There should NO vertical movement
* To check the play in the steering box
a) Move the Pitman laterally back & forth should feel tight. If you feel a clunk at the end of the travel then the box needs adjusting.
b) Move the Pitman arm vertically, should be no movement. If so, replace
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2007-04-28 09:54:13 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will have play,if your idler arm is bad.the idler arm should be on the passenger side and the pitman arm on the drivers side.are you sure its not the pitman arm and not the idler arm?jack up the drivers side and shake the wheel,while someone looks at it and see if it wobbles,if it does,then its the pitman arm.
2007-04-28 11:28:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that all sounds like the idler arm. that is the only solid connection so when it goes bad steering is a nightmare. it is not very hard to change.
2007-04-28 09:36:14 · answer #5 · answered by native 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋