stanwood

I've changed my idler arm about every 12k miles. I only drive to work and back on paved roads and yet I have replaced the idler arm 3 times and had it done once, as well as a front end alignment. The rest of the steering components seem to be fine. The current idler arm is about six months old and is already showing signs of wear (up and down movement). Just wondered if anyone had any ideas why this is happening.

Also, has anyone figured out the fuel guage problem? Is it the instrument cluster or just a ground problem?

After reading other postings I realize that greasing the idler arm was a common cause. I do my own oil changes ever 2-3K miles and do get grease to both zerks on the idler arm. Still don't last. I wonder if there is a brand to avoid or something?

ricksza

Are you checking the Idler Arm properly, this is GM's procedure:

Idler Arm Inspection
Raise and suitably support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Allow the front wheels to rotate freely.
Allow the steering mechanism to turn freely.
Position the wheels in a straight ahead position.
Position a dial indicator against the top of the idler arm grease cap.
Place a spring scale near the relay rod end of the idler arm.

Important
Do not forcefully move the right tire and wheel assembly back and forth in order to cause an up and down movement of the idler arm. There is no control on the amount of force being applied to the idler arm.
Vehicle shimmy is not always caused by a loose idler arm. Before suspecting suspension or steering components, consider the following areas:
Dynamic imbalance
Runout
Force variation of tire and wheel assemblies
Road surface irregularities
Refer to Tires and Wheels and Vibration Diagnosis and Correction.

Apply 110 N·m (81 lb ft) of force upward and then downward while measuring the total distance that the arm moves.
Measure the total distance the idler arm moves under the applied force specified. Allow no more than 3 mm (1/8 in) deflection in each direction, for a total of 6 mm (1/4 in).
Replace the idler arm if it fail this test. Refer to Idler Arm Replacement .

tom3

Fuel gauge reading full? Usually the sending unit in the tank is faulty. If your Blazer is nearing 100K miles it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the pump/sender assembly now. Fix the gauge and prevent breakdown or hard starting due to pump failure.

stanwood

Thanks guys. I will definately look closer at how much play I have on the center link. I thought it was more like zero allowable movement up and down. It may be within the 1/4 in total movement.

I am sure I have a bad sending unit. The gauge does read full.

Fireplug

The Idler Arm MUST have about 1/4 inch of movement. Think of it this way you have shocks on all 4 tires for the up and down motion . Well The Idler Arm is the shock for the steering linkage. It must have some movement. In 96 and 97 a lot of auto repair shops where failing the Idler Arms because of the movement for state inspection.
The told the owns of the trucks to go to the dealership and have us replace them. We must have seen about 300 that years and not 1 was bad. Every time we had to yank out the GM repair manual and let them read what it says on how to check the idler arm. The owners where very mad at the auto repair shops for failing there trucks for inspection with nothing wrong with them.