How bad a job is it to DIY the pitman arm and idler arm on a 2WD '88 GMC 1500? I've got in a shop for safety inspection, and they say they need replacing. I'm not exactly in a position to argue, but I'm also not in a position to be paying a shop to do work if I can DIY it in the garage. Fortunately it's unseasonably warm here now.
Advice from those with Chebby truck knowledge?
I don't, unfortunately, have an answer to the question you asked. I do have another answer though!
Next year, the truck is eligible for Historic Tags. They don't require inspecion and never expire.
There are caveats...but nothing that can't be handled with a little knowledge of the law.
[Bender laugh] hehehehehe
Clem
Damn good to know. I'll enter it in shows if I need to! Do they have a Worst In Show/What's This Thing Doing Here class?
simple job. need pitman puller and a pickle fork.
DIY for sure. the idler bolts through the frame with 2 bolts. get good moog parts or you'll be doing it again in 12k miles.
Are the pickle fork and pitman puller semi-universal, or are they sized somewhat specifically?
I'm seeing a lot of complaining about this job over on the FSC boards, but most of those guys have 4x4s with a bunch of stuff in the way, and it looks like a clear shot underneath mine. Do you suppose it's the case that 2wd makes it quite a bit easier?
OK, not so quick anymore. Fortunately the guy doing the inspection didn't start any paperwork, so it's back in my possession in a semi-legal state of flux. I'll do some more research on the job before I jump in to anything.
you are going to do research for a Pitman and idler arm on a 24 year old domestic 2 wheel drive pickup truck?
just dive in and git r dun, son...
i have generic pitman arm puller from napa and generic tie rod sized fork. i don't really consider FSC a reliable source for anything mechanical.
4x4's are still easy they're just afraid to get grease under their nails. 2wd are insanely simple.
Go ahead and replace the drag link while you're tearing stuff apart and get the most mileage out of the alignment you'll probably want to get afterwards.
Strizzo wrote: Go ahead and replace the drag link while you're tearing stuff apart and get the most mileage out of the alignment you'll probably want to get afterwards.
why not also do tie rods, too? of course, those rubber bushings in the control arms are probably looking pretty ragged, and you might as well replace the balljoints while it's apart.. then there are those saggy springs, and that frame sure could use a shot of paint, you know, while it's apart..
this is how 10 year, $50k frame off restorations get started..
In reply to novaderrik:
i needed an outer tie rod for my Monte and ended up with a pile of parts from Hotchkis and a new nose, fender, and door skin. I haven't driven the car since.
Drag link is a non wearing part. If you buy a pitman arm puller, get a good one. It takes some significant force to break it loose from the tapered splines. Idler is cake, as long as you own a hammer. Toe adjustment will be required.
it's easy. Buy good parts though. Moog has upgraded stuff for this. It's worth it. Pitman arm puller and pickle fork can be had at Autozone on the 'free' rental program. Keep a magnet handy. you will drop the idler arms nuts into the frame at least once.
Streetwiseguy wrote: Drag link is a non wearing part. If you buy a pitman arm puller, get a good one. It takes some significant force to break it loose from the tapered splines. Idler is cake, as long as you own a hammer. Toe adjustment will be required.
for some reason i was thinking it had balljoints on it.. too late at night to be posting obviously
Yeah...I'm pretty sure the drag link IS a wear item. There are studs and rubber busings in them, typically. I only know this because I worked at a plant that made them (Federal Mogul/Moog) and wanted to build a cheater one for A-sedan with solid (steel/bronze/HDPE/etc) bushings in it. [oops...did I say that out loud? ;)]
So...I'm not completely sure a truck one has bushings, but I figure it likely does.
Clem
nOPE, OBS (88-98) 2WD 2WD trucks are not wearable on the drag link:
Idler is stupid easy. Pitman is a little harder, but still easy. On a 4wd is can be a pain in the ass, but on 2wd's I would say hour tops to do both.
I stand corrected. Glad I qualified my statment above! [~"I don't know WTH I'm talking about but listen to me anyway!"]
I didn't realize these trucks were called "OBS." Built-in obsoletion made easy!
Clem
Especially funny since my country band plays Orange Blossom Special, which we abbreviate OBS on setlists. Sort of a universal convergence.
Thanks for the input, fellas.
ClemSparks wrote: I stand corrected. Glad I qualified my statment above! [~"I don't know WTH I'm talking about but listen to me anyway!"] I didn't realize these trucks were called "OBS." Built-in obsoletion made easy! Clem
i read it as "old body style"- but it's the next generation newer than my 87 GMC, which is a late model to me..
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