Idler Arm Replacement

[THE MENACE]

Okay....so I went and picked up my RMS today, and amongst a plethura of other problems it needs the idler arm replaced. Has anyone done this before and if so what is your advice for replacing and how did you do it?

I will try to take pics or at least write up a how to once it's done

THE MENACE

 

[paart]

It's an easy job, but it requires a tie rod end separator, although a "pickle fork" is fine, also. Remove the cotter pin (if used) and nut from the center link end. Separate the center link from idler arm. Remove RF wheel for access, and find the access holes, in the frame, for the two mounting bolts. The nuts on the other side, and the arm, can be accessed from the engine compartment. It's easier if you have a helper hold the bolts heads with a socket, while you remove the nuts with another socket. Reinstall in reverse order. One caution---once the nuts are off, don't lose the bolts down in the frame! (that's why a helper is needed) Install the grease fitting in the end, if not installed, and grease the joint. One other caution, come to think of it. Note the orientation of the bracket in the arm. A friend manged to twist the mount 180 degrees before he installed it, and spent an hour trying to figure why it wouldn't assemble to the center link! :->
---30 minute job----

 

[THE MENACE]

what are the odds that I need an alignment afterwards? i suppose it depends if it was aligned with the bad parts.....pulls to the right.....although its not like i would pay for an alignment just yet anyways....driving home had to brake fast, abs not working, and locked up the front wheels and had to turn them sideways to stop (of course shooting me into the other lane once it gained traction again)

sooooooo bald spots on the tires straight down to the wire!!!

THE MENACE

 

[paart]

The idler arm doesn't affect the alignment, at least permanently. A bad idler arm causes, er, variable toe in! However, from the description of the condition of the rest of the vehicle, my guess is that there's about a 98.9% chance that it needs alignment.

 

[THE MENACE]

probably gonna have it done after i get the font end in order, which looks like it wont take much

THE MENACE