Bad idler arm

[frehol]

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

[muddog321]

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).

[swalt]

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.