Bad idler arm

Hi,

How serious is a bad idler arm? I can move it up and down some 6mm and steering feels no good.

Is it any risk is breaks off so I loose the right wheel steering?
Need to know if I can drive ´till I get a new idler...

/Freddy

Most Blazers with higher mileage all get the sloppy idler arm and doubt it will break off - wait 6mm is like 1/4" so thats about normal if you tested with only the pass side wheel off the ground and did the side to side wiggle test. If your steering is really bad I would look at the complete front end and all the tie rods and the lower ball joints first. If a 2wd the center link assembly wears out too and also the pitman arm (2wd only).

Keep in mind that when checking the idler arm and wiggling the tire, the control arms need to be loaded (supported) by stands. I have always thought mine had slop and the dealer provided me a GM tech document stating how it should be tested....namely loading up the control arms and testing then.