| Author | Message | ||
     Xbeau12s |
I have an 02 Chevy Astro and both my idler arms are bad. I sourced some off e-bay. Has anyone ever replaced these? Any special way to get them off? BTW - The uly works great for running back and forth to the parts store! | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Service manual bro. I'm sure they have one for Astro van like here http://www.am-autoparts.com/AM/Service-and-Repair- Manuals/GMC/Safari/-/AM-10521669/?utm_source=googl e_base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=new_google_base _feed A weekend and a service manual, you can do anything! And some cold beer  | ||
| New12r |
One idler is bolted to the frame, the other is bolted to the steering box. The one on the steering box does not have a joint, the joint is in the center link. MIght as well put tie rods and ball joints on it while your there, I can pretty much guarantee they are bad too. Oh, and to separate the joints just hit them with a hammer on the side and they should pop off, if that does not work they sell a tool that looks like a beefy tuning fork. | ||
| Xbeau12s |
thanks a lot for the input. My tie rods are not bad. They look really good yet. And since money isn't flowing heavily at the moment I think I'll just replace the idler arms. I do have that big tuning fork laying around somewhere. | ||
| Texastechx1 |
Idler arm shouldn't be a big deal, little muscle will get those off. but if you are doing the pitman arm (steering arm attatched to steering box) then you WILL need the puller tool. should be $20-$40 at your local parts store. | ||
| Sifo |
Oh, and to separate the joints just hit them with a hammer on the side and they should pop off, if that does not work they sell a tool that looks like a beefy tuning fork. Hit with a BFH backed with a BFH on the other side! The GM parts in the front end are pretty bad on those. If your tie rods are good they have been replaced with aftermarket parts long ago. There should only be one idler arm. The other is a pitman arm as has been pointed out. They don't usually go bad though, just a hunk of iron. | ||
| Iamike |
If you don't want to buy the tools some auto parts stores will loan them out. O'Reilys is one. | ||
| Stalker |
+1 on the pitman arm puller, do not use a pickle fork, you will kill the gear box. If you have to use heat to take the nut off replace the pitman arm seal while you are at it. Best advice is the puller, and dont pound on it to much. Lots of PB-blaster! | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Astro vans have 2 idlers and a pitman arm. The pitman arm is not very likely to be bad. The idlers you bought off ebay better be MOOG or you are wasting your time. The crappy aftermarket ones are sometimes worse than the worn OE ones. There are 2 18mm bolts at the frame and one on the centerlink for each idler. Hit the joint at the centerlink with a hammer a few times to pop the taper. | ||
| Sifo |
Astro vans have 2 idlers and a pitman arm. Ya learn something new every day, whether you want to or not!  | ||
| Ducbsa |
I had an '88 Astro and had to have those replaced twice. The repair shop owner also had an Astro and wasn't too happy about the flaw, either. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
"Astro vans have 2 idlers and a pitman arm." I'm trying to visualize that. Steering box in the center? The only front end work I ever did was on my 1977 Dodge van. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Google kicks ass  http://www.2carpros.com/forum/2001-chevy-astro--st arter/1995-chevy-astro-pitman-arm-vt395031.html | ||
| Xbeau12s |
I don't think it looks like that hard of a job. I'll drive it up on some ramps and do it in the driveway. If I can change the timing belt and water pump on a 87 VW GTI I think I can tackle this  And the water pump on a 93 Cadillac Deville isn't so peachy either. Thanks again for all the help! | ||
| Fast1075 |
Stalker....good call on the puller.. |
