need tips on replacing Idler arm

[batmo]

mabey its the larger tires but it seems the steering has become even more sloppy since then. Ive allready replaced the tie rod ends and ball joints but just before the new tires. pretty much has to be the idler arm or steering box then right?

easier to replace the idler arm than steering box so I'll start there and hope that takes care of it.

is a Moog replacement available for the earliest vans if not whats the highest quality replacement?

any tips on removing the old one also apreciated.

thanks

[Kidhauler]

moog is the best parts to use. Do not put OEM idler arms back in as they are junk. You only need to unbolt the arm from the tie rod then with a pickle fork pound the arm out. It then unbolts from the frame and you just need to bolt the new one in place and tighten up the ball joint to the tie rod. the drivers side is easy as you can get a socket on it fairly easy. I had a bit of a harder time on my 89,90,91 vans doing the passenger side as there is some oil cooler lines running close to the bolts. You just need to use a wrench on them so it takes a little longer. You should be able to do both arms in about 2 hours or less depending on how hard you are working.

[kings-x59]

check www.rockauto.com
they have moog oem idlers and moog idler arms named "the problem solver".
I thought my idlers were gone just recently, turned out to be the power steering gear box.

[SoCalli V8]

As stated before, use Moog Idlers only. Unfortunately our steering system is not the best design, and there is allot of stress put upon the idler arms, so I highly recommend paying the extra to fit the "macho" Moog idlers. Any other cheap make will not last more than a year, before you have the same symptoms again.

[batmo]

are there two options from Moog for the idler arms and do they both have grease fittings on them?

theres also a rod coming off the steering box going to the center link, is that replacable?

thanks again

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Yes the drag link and center link are replaceable but why? Same question on the idlers (there are 2 per van). Why do they need changing? All you stated was the front end seems a little more loose. You really need to jack it up and check for looseness. Chances are the idlers are worn if they have a lot of miles but the other tie rod ends and links are probably fine unless they haven't been maintained.

There is a way to adjust your steering box too. Do a search for it. If I find it first, I'll post a link.

[kings-x59]

just as a point of reference, the symptoms from my bad gear box were:
slop in the steering
over-steer when changing lanes
bump steer at slow speeds
resistance when steering right, no resistance when steering left.

and this was after adjusting the gear. My box was the original with 142K miles on it. It got spooky to drive to say the least.

[batmo]

well I dont have much slop in the steering wheel and no over-steer when lane changing and bump steer seems normal too.

great advice Kings-X! thanks. probably the idlers then.

the S.box is original and has lots of miles too but Im just not noticing those symptoms.

probably should replace it anyway. whats the higest quality steering boxes?

mabey I should consider a rack-n-pinion conversion instead though. Ive done it on other cars so why not? hmm..

[Rileysowner]

Just curious, where would one get a steering box?

As stated, idler arms are easy to replace. The most difficult thing I faced was how rusted the bolts securing it to the frame were, and one of the idler studs had some damaged threads that made getting the nut off difficult once it was popped free. I tightened it back up so it was holding again loosened the nut so it only had a couple of threads still on, then popped it loose again. Then I could get it off.

[snapple]

moog is the best parts to use. Do not put OEM idler arms back in as they are junk. You only need to unbolt the arm from the tie rod then with a pickle fork pound the arm out. It then unbolts from the frame and you just need to bolt the new one in place and tighten up the ball joint to the tie rod. the drivers side is easy as you can get a socket on it fairly easy. I had a bit of a harder time on my 89,90,91 vans doing the passenger side as there is some oil cooler lines running close to the bolts. You just need to use a wrench on them so it takes a little longer. You should be able to do both arms in about 2 hours or less depending on how hard you are working.

I usually use a pickle fork also. However last week when doing this job. I couldn't get it to break free! So I used a tie rod press and it popped right off so fast, I'll be using this method from now on!

[Smiliesafari]

For the money and the improvement in the steering system the rack and pinion is the way to go.

[Rileysowner]

For the money and the improvement in the steering system the rack and pinion is the way to go.

I wish either 1. I felt confident enough to put in R&P my self, or 2. I liked closer to you Smiliesafari. I would love to go to a rack and pinion system.