Can you give some advice
on idler arm repairs?
Sridhar’s Request: "Please
discuss Idler arm repairs"
The
idler arm is a pivoting support for the steering linkage,
and is usually found on rear wheel drive cars and light
trucks. Most front wheel drive vehicles use “rack & pinion”
steering which does not require an idler arm. The idler
arm consists of a bracket, an arm that connects the
bracket to the center link of the steering linkage,
and an internal pivot bearing. The purpose of the idler
arm is to assist the pitman arm by supporting the steering
linkage as it moves in the direction controlled by
the steering gear. In other words, if yours breaks,
you would have a very difficult time steering the car.
(That’s bad). The good news is that they almost never
break… but they do gradually wear out. The idler arm
needs to be lubricated every time you have your oil
and filter changed (every 3000 miles). Some common
vehicle symptoms associated with a worn idler arm include
wandering, tire edge wear, and loose or sloppy steering.
The Idler arm should be closely inspected annually
in conjunction with a front-end alignment.
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