wandering frontend

[wanderblazer]

I have a 1996 Chevy Blazer 4x4 with 140k miles. I am having a frustrating and dangerous handling problem that I cannot seem to get resolved. The vehicle just does not have any "dead center feel" in the steering, expecially at highway speeds. I am constantly trying to correct the steering to keep it straight. It does not seem to pull to either side, but seems to wander and try to take path of least resistance. The tires do not show any unusual wear. The pitman arm, idler arm and upper/lower ball joints were replaced within the last 40k miles. The latest garage wants to replace the lower ball joints to help fix this problem. The last time the ball joints were replaced, the vehicle did not have this type of handling problem. Does anyone have any advice that may "steer" me in the right direction?

Thanks

[Mikado14]

Idler arms can go bad within 40K miles especially if not properly greased and they are sometimes overlooked due to being behind the splash guard. Also, don't overlook the steering stabilizer.

My opinion is to have it checked out by a front end specialist if you are unable to do it yourself. You may find that you are experiencing power steering pump and/or steering box problems or it could be as simple as a bad tie rod end.

If you can jack up the front end, have a friend wiggle one side, front to back, as you view the linkage. Also, since you have it in the air, use a long lever and place it under the tire. Pry up and down and look for ball joint play.

Also, you might want to have the front end alignment checked if you take it to a front end specialist. You may have hit a pothole or something and it just hasn't shown up in the wear pattern yet.

[JoulesWinfield]

I had a somewhat similar problem.
I put it up on a set of those drive on ramps and had someone turn the wheel slowly lock to lock. What I ended up finding was that the camber adjusters on the passenger side were finger tight, and that was allowing the whole Upper Arm to move in and out.

[BlazerLT]

Check the tie rod ends too.

[kzuby]

what are the camber adjusters and how do you get to them?

[Mikado14]

It doesn't matter which side you look at, choose a side. Find your upper control arm (upper A frame). Where it mounts to the frame of the vehicle you will find two bolts. If you look at those bolts, you will see an eccentric behind the nut that holds the bolt(either one). Those adjust the camber.

[jalad82]

Hey guys i got a ? my pitman and idler arms are loose and need to replace new ones. Does any one know how to install new ones and explain it to me because my short on cash and learn how to do it myself. So please if theres any one out there who know how to do it. Please email at [email protected]

[rlith]

Originally Posted by jalad82

Hey guys i got a ? my pitman and idler arms are loose and need to replace new ones. Does any one know how to install new ones and explain it to me because my short on cash and learn how to do it myself. So please if theres any one out there who know how to do it. Please email at [email protected]

Seperate the ball joint on the idler arm with a pickle fork, then simply use 2 18mm socket wrenches (and perhaps some pb blaster) and remove the bolts on the frame. Install in reverse, grease the new idler arm.

[blazee]

Are you sure it is the pitman arm too? Usually it's just the Idler Arm.

[s10blazerman4x4]

i was gonna say the same thing. Idler arms on mine are the problem alot.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by blazee

Are you sure it is the pitman arm too? Usually it's just the Idler Arm.

Actually, a bad idler arm will lead to a bad pitman arm over time, both are bad on my truck.

[jalad82]

Well when i want to get a wheel balance at ntb they said i need to replace the pitman and idler arms on my car and then they can do an aligment on the car. well i want to change the pitman and idler arms by myself. I wanted to know how to do it myself and the right way also save money. So please tell me what i need for tools and how to put new ones in.

[rlith]

If you need to change the pittman arn, it's a bitch.... Even with a pitman arm puller. You need to pull the steering box, then remove the large nut, then use the pitman arm puller like you would use a steering wheel puller. It took 2 of us to remove the pitman arm last time I did one and we broke 2 sears craftsman breaker bars doing it...(3rd was the charm along with hurt backs). You're best bet is to remove the steering box, then take it to a local garage and pay them 5 or 10 bux to run it off for you.