Hey everyone... been awhile since I've posted... thats what being in school and having no money does <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />...

I hit a deer on the way to Pullman from the Seattle area last week, and it prompted me to get the truck checked out just in case at the Toyota dealer around here because they are pretty nice, and I have no tools or anything here. They said:

I have a loose idler arm,
steering pump makes noise but works fine
seeping steering box
need front brake pads

... the one I am the most worried about (the one i dont know about) is the idler arm. Anyone know how to tighten a loose idler arm? The mechanic wasnt around to explain, but I am sure i could catch him if I went back. Thanks for any advice... I want to tell my dad which tools to bring when he comes to visit.

Danny

ps... if you know anything about those other issues, that knowledge would also be appreciated.

yeah. go buy new idler arm bushings and put them in your worn out one. You don't need to take the arm off the shaft, just drop it down and out. Take the rest off the truck, punch out the old bushings (2) and stick the new ones in. Grease, put back together. No biggie.

I don;t have a good part # for the bushings. The ones toyota sold me were too small in ID. I drilled 'em out.

Funny, I got the wrong size from the dealer as well, wonder what the deal is?

Here's a how-to:
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/idler/

Ok, thanks for your help. I just got off the phone with the dealer to nail down exactly what was wrong. The mechanic said that he has had problems just replacing the bushings on his pickup, and had to replace the whole arm later. Does this sound accurate? They are charging 175 in parts for the arm (240 if they install it). Should I go with the arm or just pick up bushings?

Danny

Most of the regulars on this forum haven't had any problems changing the bushings. Unless the spindle on the idler arm is bent, you shouldn't have a problem. If you have the capacity to change the bushings yourself, go for it; take a look at the link provided in one of the above replies and see if it is something you can do. Dealers will usually go for the easiest route to resolve a problem, not the cheapest.

I decided to just replace mine with an aftermarket from Advance Auto. I believe it was around $50.00. It looks a little different. Here's a pic.

I bent the aftermarket one I bought from NAPA on the first trip out, so I fixed it, did an SAS!!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I swear every problem I have comes back to a SAS or a 3.4.... you'd think I would get the point. I think I will go with the bushings, those instructions seem pretty clear. Should I get those through the dealer, or does that not matter so much?

Danny

Make sure you check the other end. Mine was wore out. Bushings were fine. All the play was in the steering link end. New one has a grease fitting. I replaced it with one from O'Reily auto parts. I bought the plastic bushings before I found out the play was on the other end. If anybody needs them, they're yours. Just let me know how to get them to you.

Not to get off topic, but how'd you figure out the problem was at the other end? I did the bushings and I've still got some play. Tie rods don't seem to have play so I'm wondering if it's somewhere else.