Idler Arm Issues?

[colienryan]

I have a 2002 Tahoe 4x4 with a 4" lift. I have developed a vibration in the front passenger side while making tighter turns. I was told that it might be the idler arm and am wondering what kind of complications the lift adds to fixing that. Any ideas?

 

[Sepiroth]

Anytime you lift or lower a vehicle, you mess with the steering and suspension dynamics. In your case you went up. Now from what I have read, a steering stabilizer shock might help you out and give you peace of mind. That is after you have the front end checked out. Oh btw, I moved this thread to the right forum for your model year.

 

[colienryan]

Thanks for moving this. The Tahoe was lifted for a dealership when it was new. I took it in to have my tires rotated and asked them to check out the vibration. They said when it was up on the rack and they moved the steerig wheel, there was a definate noise and it "may be the idler arm". the guy told me that it was gong to cast around $200 for the part, and that it was hard to get to. I am tryinf to get a little more info and decide it my husband should fix this or if we should have it done in a shop.

 

[Sepiroth]

Doing the Idler arm on these trucks are simple. The Stealership, IMHO was trying to make some money off of you.

Pick up a nice Mechanic's tool set from Sears, buy the part from an auto parts store that carries MOOG, that's what I prefer, and just have at it.

There really is no way you can install it wrong, if you're careful and remember how you took the old one out.

 

[Big Tap]

If I remember right, the idler arm is a little more difficult to get to then the pitman arm. However, I might have them backwards. It sits on top of the steering box, making some of the bolts slightly harder to reach, but it's nothing that a good set of swivels and a pulley puller can't take care of.

 

[Sepiroth]

The Pitman arm is the one that sits on the steering gearbox.