oh no - not the idler arm

[andycook]

Shaking getting worse again in the truck.
I replaced idler arm BUSHES last a year June,
so have ruled out the idler arm as a cause since and never looked at it, when checking for steering component wear.

But tonight on having another shake of wheels, I noticed the end of idler arm (at ball-joint end), moved up-and-down noticeably around 1-2mm as well as side-to-side.

How much up-down movement have people noticed on worn idlers?

Would this movement be enough to effect vehicle and cause shaking and imprecise steering ?????

Doubt I will replace bushes, as they have only lasted 15 months,
and the idler arm was a bit rusty inside when i changed them.

So looks like a roughtrax idler, as dont fancy taking a chance with the cheaper Milners one...

Hopefully this will help get rid of shaking! as i just fitted a procomp HD steering damper too.

[andycook]

New idler arm from roughtrax fitted (in 25 mins) - first time split pin etc has come out with no effort on a balljoint stud i have replaced on this truck
but i have been soaking it in WD40 the last few days
usually i have to drill them out.

not sure if shaking cured yet as yet to test drive properly, tomorrow shall tell.
but steering is much tighter now, much less slack

[laser_jock99]

New idler arm from roughtrax fitted (in 25 mins) - first time split pin etc has come out with no effort on a balljoint stud i have replaced on this truck
but i have been soaking it in WD40 the last few days
usually i have to drill them out.

not sure if shaking cured yet as yet to test drive properly, tomorrow shall tell.
but steering is much tighter now, much less slack

First time round I replaced just the plastic bushes- got it through the MOT but ultimatly the shaft was rusted and wore quickly through the bushes again. Replacement of the entire idler arm was necessary. The Milner seems okay and has the advantage of a grease nipple which the Toyota didn't. Once the Toyota fills with grit and water- it's Goodnight Vienna. With a grease nipple you can at least 'flush' out the nastiness with grease from time to time. Not sure if the Roughtrax one has a nipple?

[andycook]

yes - roughtrax one has a grease nipple - on side of unit.

dismantled old one, and found idler shaft was very pitted and rusted at bottom
seal in a bad way too