Idler arm

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bob - 25 Jun 2006 20:33 GMT

I have a 1984 gmc 1 ton pick up. It needs an Idler arm and a pitman
arm. The pitman arm looks like it needs a puller to get it out of the
power steering box, but the Idler arm looks like I can do it with a
pickle fork. Anyway, if I do manage to get it off, I presume the nut
that comes with it will hopefully press it in, then the cotter pin and
I'm done?

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Shep - 25 Jun 2006 20:52 GMT

Yes, mark the position of the idler arm on the frame some have slotted holes
and the idler arm has to be installed at the same height to maintain cenrter
link parallelism.

>I have a 1984 gmc 1 ton pick up. It needs an Idler arm and a pitman
> arm. The pitman arm looks like it needs a puller to get it out of the
> power steering box, but the Idler arm looks like I can do it with a
> pickle fork. Anyway, if I do manage to get it off, I presume the nut
> that comes with it will hopefully press it in, then the cotter pin and
> I'm done?

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bob - 25 Jun 2006 21:07 GMT

> Yes, mark the position of the idler arm on the frame some have slotted holes
> and the idler arm has to be installed at the same height to maintain cenrter
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
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Mine has slotted holes. Do I still have to mark the position of the
idler arm on the frame?

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Shep - 25 Jun 2006 21:22 GMT

Yes that is the reason to mark the position of the old one, if the idler arm
is installed higher or lower than it should be the vehicle can experience
orbital/ bump steer.

>> Yes, mark the position of the idler arm on the frame some have slotted
>> holes
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Mine has slotted holes. Do I still have to mark the position of the
> idler arm on the frame?

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bob - 26 Jun 2006 06:05 GMT

> Yes that is the reason to mark the position of the old one, if the idler arm
> is installed higher or lower than it should be the vehicle can experience
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
> ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

Everything went smoothly. I marked the position of the Idler arm, and
went exactly where it was b4. Now for the pitman arm and left upper
ball joint. It looks like I need a puller to take it out of my power
steering box and a pickle fork for the other end of the pitman arm. For
the right upper ball joint, it looks like the 4 bolts on top will press
it in. I guess I should torque the 4 bolts in? I notice that my Lower
Ball joints are pressed in. Anyway thanx 4 your help...bob

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