how easy or hard is it to replace the idler arm? i went to get my oil changed and they informed me that my cv shafts are shot and so is my idler arm and estimated a grands worth of parks and labor.... im sayin forget the cv shafts for now dont really need them. but the idler arm is the reason my truck favors the left side... so any info would be appreciated thanx

p.s they quoted me 188 for the idler arm and 98 for the labor....

if its like my 2wd s10 its about a 1/2 hr job and only 3 bolts. 2 bolts on the frame and one on the front suspention. I would look at it and see it its that hard. its on the pass. side on the frame.

mines is 4x4 im gunna take a look tomorrow

Shouldn't be that hard, and he's right only a few bolts.

you may need a small press to get the arms seperated though

Ok Timey, the AutoZone spokesperson has something to say:

*Clears throat* You can get an idler arm with a lifetime warranty at AutoZone for $21.99.

$188? WTF are they smoking?

ha ha ha ha

thats what I was thinking. I just replaced mine and it was $26 at Zone. and I just looked at my 4x4 blazer its the same as the s10, and the 2wd 97 blazer(my parents have) is the same. 2 18 mm(I think, you need a socket, extention and wrench) bolts on the frame and one on the stearing sh*t, the one stud after getting the bolt off is hard to seperate, I used a pitman arm puller I had sitting around. It is really easy.

blazin97, unless I'm mistaken (which does happen frequently), the idler arm is on the drivers side and the pitman arm is on the passenger side. I believe we may be talking about 2 different things here...

lol thanx for the help guys.... this pitman arm puller you use is it expensive or do you think i could rent it from auto zone?

*When making this statement, I'm assuming that all AutoZones are generally the same*

The pitman arm puller is available in our free Loan-A-Tool service. You put down a $15 deposit, take the tool, use it, bring it back and receive a full refund.

The pitman arm is mounted to the steering box while the idler arm in to the frame. It acts as more of a pivot point.

lolo the idler arm is on the pass side, and the pitman is on the drivers side.

Meh, I've been misinformed, so now I look like a goober...grrrrrr...

I'm sorry, sometimes I say things based on what I've been told and then I look like an idiot

so which one are you changing