went to get a front end alignment an delta world tire said I need to get a new idler arm. anybody know how to change it? what would some of the symptoms of it going out be? on rare occasions my truck would randomly die, is that a symptom? thanks guys

 

the truck stalling has nothing to do with an idler arm.

they can wear out over time, and wear faster if you have oversized tires. there are simple ways to check it for play. once play develops its hard to hold an alignment, you may get shaky steering, hear rattling, etc. All it is, is a pivot point/arm for your steering that hangs off the frame, opposite side of the steering box.

They are (generally, i havent done one on your year) easy to replace. A couple bolts on the frame and one on the steering linkage.

 

Extremely easy to replace. The hardest part is getting the "ball joint" style stud out of the center link. Just back off the castle nut until it's flush with the end of the stud and bang away to break it loose.

There are two different bolt patterns where it bolts to the frame though. Before you order one, make sure you go out and measure from center to center on each bolt.

 

thanks guys, an yeah I notices that when j went to autozone.com there were 2 to choose from. one $35 an the other $50. I'll prolly need the $50 with my luck, and my trucks a 4wd also

 

I just put a new one on my 2WD and mine uses the the one with the shorter bolt holes. I'm thinking that the 4WDs probably use the bigger ones.

Check rockauto.com for them. And personally, I wouldn't go with the cheapest one. I went with a Moog and got it for $75 shipped from Rock Auto. They also sell Motorcraft idlers if you wanted to stay with OEM parts.

Good luck!

 

yeah I figured the 4wd uses the more expensive one with the bigger one bolt holes. I was just gonna pick one up from autozone or napa because they said its really bad an jumping around. thanks man!

 

If your idler is bad your tie rod ends probably aren't long from gone either an the lower ball joints stretch some too.

 

Usually the tie rod ends are on the way out to but the ball joints aren't in the same boat usually they last a lot longer than to idler and tie rod ends

 

I replaced my idler arm last weekend in a truck just like yours. Took longer gettin the truck up on the lift than to replace the Idler Arm. Take the skid plate off (if equipped) and it's just 2 bolts to the frame and the one nut you gotta break lose on the steering arm. Slide the new one in bolt it up and you're ready to go. Takes about 10 minutes. Good luck!

 

thanks guys and I changed my ball joints out about 2 months ago, how hard is it to change my tie rod ends also? because delta world tire wants to charge about $125 for labor an parts for the driver side.....I am not payin that when I can do it myself