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opinions on steering parts

ak diesel driver

ak diesel driver

6.5 driver
Messages
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Location
alaska
On my 96 K2500 the pitman arm is loose . The idler arm is showing an ever so slight movement also. Should I replace idler arm now also or wait for more slop to develop. They are pricey $100 for a premium one at NAPA. It's already been replaced once snce I've owned it. I believe this will be the first time on the pitman arm.
 
Both seem to wear farily quickly on these trucks. Bigger tires/tread and rotation maintenance mainly then rough roads, grease, and tire pressure influence life.

Of course it depends but I'd say the idler starts to wear at about the 60-80K miles and usually can be replaced for appreciable improved handling at 100K miles. The pitman lasts slightly longer but just a little wear in the pitman seems to have more affect on steering sloppiness.

To help life use quality parts and hi quality grease. Easier on components if you stay away from big lugged tires. Once big lug tires wear unevenly they increase wear on steering components so it has a snowball affect. I would also say replacing worn components together helps life as it minimizes slop and thus reduces relative movement.
 
Well based on the mileage figures you used I've gotten alotta miles out of mine. 200600 miles on my truck now replaced idler arm at about 70000 along with 2 ball joints replaced all 4 balljoints at about 185000 (way over due) I'm leaning towards replacing both but just wanted some input.
 
I just purchased my truck at 150k w/o really knowing what's been done to it. I've been noticing wandering in my steering as I drive down the road so I jacked up each front tire individually, and rocked from the 12 & 6 position (felt like maybe a 1/16 or less than a 1/8th of movement (so bearings will need to be replaced soon)), but at 3 and 9 - there was at least an inch of movement.

Assuming its the pitman and/or idler arm - is there someplace I can buy all the front end steering parts so I can change everything at once? Is there a diagram of the IFS front end for a K2500 floating around someplace that I haven't been able to find?
 
Moog is the standard for replacement, that said no guarantee these days you aren't getting China/India in a Moog box, last time I rebuilt my steering, I used O Riley's generic brand with lifetime warranty some of those were India parts, and some said made in China, so with global outsourcing kinda does no good to try for made in USA only as I don't think such a thing exists much anymore, I look for the warranty parts and hope for the best longevity out of them, replace under warranty if/when they do go bad
 
Pretty simple to rebuild them I mark the length of the setting for old tierod ends with tape or lock nut, that will get you in ballpark alignment, also I buy it but I pay the alignment shop to replace the pitman arm usually about $50 for them to do the labor piece of that, let them do the grunt work on those IMO as the can be a bear sometimes.
 
The later trucks steering parts are definately not the easiest stuff to get to.

While the engine was out if DaHooooley I steamed the engine bay out and checked the steering parts for slop and gave them all a good greasing.

Was easy to get at all the fittings that way too.

The cheapest thing on these parts of course is grease.

You dont eant to pop the seals on things but most of the steering parts will just bleed off any excess grease anyway.

The steering parts on the IFS setups of the newer rigs is not nearly as good as the older Straight axle system was.

One of the weakest components in the IFS suspension system is the wheel bearing.

Fine when used for street driving with stock tire sizes.

Add a lift and some kick ass huge tires and offset wheels and the life expectancy of things goes in the toilet.

Smack a few ruts and hard things out in the bush and all bets are off.



MGW
 
well, that's terrific! (sarcasm) haha. I do mostly road driving, but where I live, the old county roads are rather poor, and I love gravel roads too. I'm at 265's and staying there and not planning on putting a lift. And I do have the IFS so, I'll go ahead and check the grease fittings, since I don't think I have too much to worry about with the bearings yet.

After all - when I checked the wheels - the tierods were moving with the wheel the 1-2" of play.
 
Moog and NAPA premium seem to be much better than other brand parts I've used.
 
The high Grade Napa Premiums, the ones in the Blue Napa box are made in the USA. The cheap Napa front suspension parts are made in China.
 
Don't be scared. My 2000 GMC had 174K on the front wheel bearings. I replaced them because I was doing rotors but there was nothing wrong with them. I should have put them back in and saved 600$ . I don't think the bearings held up any better on the Dana 44 front ends. I was constantly changing ball joints and they are a PIA on those and did many wheel bearings. Although a heck of alot cheaper. Big tires or off road use kill pretty much anything except maybe a Dana 60. Even those had issues. The 44's the tiny little 3/8 stud that held the spindle on used to break. That's FUN. I actually think the IFS is better in that regard(atleast the 3500 anyway). The 3 bolts that hold the steering arm to the knuckle on the 44's also used to break. I drilled the spindles out and used larger bolts. But I was running 44's and I beat that thing like a rented mule..:D
 
I wouldn't worry too much about a tad of movement on the idler arm. They all seem to do it.

Pitman arm I'd also, and I did, let the shop replace mine... PITA job.

I replaced one of my hubs when it let go... IT was the drivers side which fails first usually due to all the right hand offramps on highways I would imagine... Havn't changed my other one yet, But I jack it up and it seems tight.

I'd like to change it out before I load her up with the plow, but with all the junk parts lately, if its not broke, why should I fix it?
 
Acesneights1 said:
No but she saw it so I'll probably be changin it. She was from Guns n Babes magazine.
Click to expand...

Changing it would be a shame Aces :nono: . Stirs me up just looking at it ):h . Not that she would even give me time of day, the old fart that I am :rolleyes5: .

Sorry for any hijack. Carry on.

Art
 
Oh yeah, well would you look at that.......she's hold'n a pistol. Don't suspect I ever would have noticed the gun 'til 'ya mentioned it:D
 
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