Steering idler arm question

[Treadlox]

Would you recomend a new idler arm or will a strip down and service suffice?
I have discovered a bit of play in mine and it wont pass an mot like it is.

Cheers, Tony.

[stormforce]

If you strip the steering idler down you will find there are 2 plastic bushes that you can get from Roughtrax for about £3 each.You could try this first or just buy a complete unit.
I take it its not the ball joint part thats loose but the shaft that goes up inside the part that bolts to chasis

[davec170]

Get a couple of new top hat bushes (nice an cheap), strip the idler down, clean and inspect it. Reassemble with new bushes and plenty of grease. Pump more grease in if your idler has a grease nipple. If during your inspection phase you find corrosion pitting on the spindle expect to have to do the job again in another 10000 miles or so as the new bushes will wear quite quickly. Worst case scenario - it gives you some time to source a new idler! If you get a new assembly buy one with a grease point, they don't all have one. (the last R/T one I bought did).

[Treadlox]

Thanks very much for that, new top hat bushes ordered.. And I will keep an eye out for an idler arm with a grease port. I just need good weather now as my truck wont fit in the garage.