Well, I just checked out my steering earlier today (it was feeling loose and klunky) and It turns out my idler and pitman arms are shot.-:t I have a huge road trip planned thursday and I want them replaced before I go. How big a job is it, time wise I mean. I have no problem doing it myself but with such short notice I may not have the opportunity. Sucks I have to replace it with stock too, because I would definitely be replacing it with the new fabtech stuff if it were available.

I have a brand new fabtech kit in the back seat of my truck and by wed if i dont find somebody to put it on i will sell it to ya ! Comes with a steering stabizer.

how do you know they are bad?? mine feels klunky too! but i look under there and cant get them to move. it seems to slowly get worse but still nothing. how much are those fabtech things going for?? i already have all of SD parts.

If you were close and I could have it on Wednesday, I would probably go for it. But it has to be finished by wednesday nite or I don't go home for xmas!

diesel fumes where did u buy your fabtech kit from?

Well, I just checked out my steering earlier today (it was feeling loose and klunky) and It turns out my idler and pitman arms are shot.-:t I have a huge road trip planned thursday and I want them replaced before I go. How big a job is it, time wise I mean. I have no problem doing it myself but with such short notice I may not have the opportunity. Sucks I have to replace it with stock too, because I would definitely be replacing it with the new fabtech stuff if it were available.It is not hard and can be done in a couple of hours. A tierod seperator is necessary to get the centerlink seperated. You will need one of these (http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-6496.html) to keep from having to remove the steering gear. In addition, you will need to have the truck aligned once it is back together. Also, I would recomend using factory GM parts, Moog, or the new fabtec stuff. IIRC the bracket on the idler arm has not been released to the aftermarket yet so you will have to get it a the dealership regardless.

OD

Well, when we moved the hub around and watched the arm closest to the passenger side wobble up and down and back on forth like 4 times as much as we were moving the hub... :( It has progressively been getting worse and I just assumed it was something to do with the steering pump or intermediate shaft again, until I decided to look to be sure. Fabtech kit retails for like $375 and include idler and pitman arms and a steering stabilizer (part # FTS71001 I think) but I have been quoted down to around $250. But no one can have me one yesterday!!!!!! hehe

Well, when we moved the hub around and watched the arm closest to the passenger side wobble up and down and back on forth like 4 times as much as we were moving the hub... :( It has progressively been getting worse and I just assumed it was something to do with the steering pump or intermediate shaft again, until I decided to look to be sure. Fabtech kit retails for like $375 and include idler and pitman arms and a steering stabilizer (part # FTS71001 I think) but I have been quoted down to around $250. But no one can have me one yesterday!!!!!! hehe
Yep they need replacing. You will still need to pick up the frame bracket at the dealership for the Fabtec kit.

IMO, moog front-end replacement parts are the best.

Other than the obvious wrenches, you will need a tie-rod fork & a pitman arm puller.

Although I always recommend an alignment following the replacement of parts, it is not absolutely needed right away as the parts you are considering replacing have no "adjustment" that would be affected simply by replacement.

Have a happy holiday.

It is not hard and can be done in a couple of hours. A tierod seperator is necessary to get the centerlink seperated. You will need one of these (http://http://www.otctools.com/frames-catalog.php3) to keep from having to remove the steering gear. In addition, you will need to have the truck aligned once it is back together. Also, I would recomend using factory GM parts, Moog, or the new fabtec stuff. IIRC the bracket on the idler arm has not been released to the aftermarket yet so you will have to get it a the dealership regardless.

ODYour link does not work, "these".

Your link does not work, "these".
Thanks, fixed it.....................

Worked for me!!

I got mine put on. Took 2 weeks trying to find somebody to put it on but i finally got it done. I wouldnt recommend the place i got my fabtech kit to anybody because they tell you one price and you get billed another, like the drop ship fees and you dont know until you get the card statement. I got that done with green keys with 1 1/2 blocks in the rear and then added the new plastic afe stage 2 kit at the same time, so i am happy for now.

I believe Moog has an upgraded or beefier idler arm.

Received the new fabtech stuff today. i'll have it on next week and get some pictures, etc. up.

How come you guys can find the Fabtech stuff and my kit was placed on back order? I was told by my shop that Fabtech paused production because they were behind on -:t Furd lifts.

Here are some pictures of the new fabtech stuff. steering stabilizer is in the box. one thing i noticed is they say your MUST install the new SS, which requires cutting the bracket for the OEM one and installing a new bracket.. don't know if that's mandatory for a non-lifted truck or not.

Here are some pictures of the new fabtech stuff. steering stabilizer is in the box. one thing i noticed is they say your MUST install the new SS, which requires cutting the bracket for the OEM one and installing a new bracket.. don't know if that's mandatory for a non-lifted truck or not.
I would also recomend picking up the frame bracket for the idler arm at the dealership before you get started. In most the trucks I have done the braket itself was the worst worn of the three components.

OD

Diesel power did you get the Tie rods and ends.... who did you purchase your kit from, Thanks.

who sells them on "theplace"?

NAPA has both pieces of the idler arm, each piece is around $100, so complete unit will be $200+

At a minimum the toe will need to be adjusted. Good luck getting the pitman arm off without unbolting the steering gear box. Later! Frank

i am looking for the fabtech ones i mean!

We have these kits, they are $250+shipping.

John

will these parts stop the up and down movement??

We have these kits, they are $250+shipping.

John
I am assuming that price is just for the arms and not the steering stabilizer and tierods.

Just got off the phone with DPS, ordered the fabtech kit and it does come with the stabilizer, no tie rods. Also ordered Billsien shocks.

i already have the tierods and draglink, the stock idler and pitman arms will let the draglink move up and down a little, kennedy sells a kit to help with that. i am wondering if the new parts are just bigger.?

ockgator,
Do you happen to know the part number for the idler arm braket from napa, I tried to look it up at the napa over here and it didn't come up.