Finally got around to changing my idler arms. Took me about 2 hours start to finish, in the Autozone parking lot, had to take two different tools out on loan to get the job done. It should take your standard mechanic this long, but I am no mechanic and am super cautious about everything I do.
Parts:
MOOG Problem Solver Idler Arms for 2000 Safari AWD, same part on both sides.
Tools:
-Hammer
- Ratchet
- 10mm socket
- 10mm deep socket
- Steel pipe for leverage
- Ball joint seperator (loaned from Autozone)
- Pitman arm puller (loaned from Autozone)
- 17mm open wrench for the pitman arm puller
- Grease gun
Tips:
- Turn the steering wheel all the way to the side you are working on, no need to take off wheels.
- Keep the two forward bolts in while you hammer the ball joint seperator in. Not sure if the seperator pulled my bolt out at all, but it did make room so I could get the pitman arm puller in there. Pretty sure it just pulled the bolt out of the idler arm itself.
- The pitman arm puller is not the correct tool, but it will work. The opening is a tad too wide, so it may slide to one side or the other. Once you get it situated, or find a better fitting tool, tighten down the bolt until you hear a pop. The pop mean you broke it loose. Take the pitman arm pulller off, undo the front 2 bolts and it will come right off.
- For my passenger side i had to jack the van up a couple of inches to fit the arm puller in, the driver side seemed to have more room, play with it and you'll eventually get it to work.
- Intall your new arms, its easiest to grease them before you put them on, to avoid more rolling around on the ground.
- Congrats, you saved yourself $200-300 for not having a shop do it. Firestone quoted me $400 and probably would have used crappy arms, I paid $180 for 2 arms and did the work myself.
- Enjoy tight steering! :swerve:
Pictures:
Tools loaned... about $28 in total, but you get it all back
Bolt pulling out of the idler arm.... Time to bring in the pitman arm puller. Note: This is the passenger side with less clearance.
New arm on drivers side. Pretty