Using Tommy Boy quotes to offer automotive advice FTW!

 

Now I see it's not even an item that would wear out on a 2wd 1998 model. It's a solid piece of metal. WTF! Write up says idler arm, pitman arm, and wheel bearing is bad. Great and I already bought the parts minus the pitman arm. Should I ask the manager WTF those guys are doing trying to rip me off? Anyone else had probs with Pepboys like this?

 

There is a joint where the pitman arm mounts to the relay rod. This can wear out especially if it doesn't get greased as part of a routine maintenance schedule.

 

So what would be the part I would need to replace? I mean can I walk into autozone and buy a part? What would I ask for? Guess I'm getting a 2nd opinion on if I need to replace anything. Should I go ahead and do the wheel bearings anyway? 135,000 miles. Thanks!!

 

Um I would ask for a pitman arm. $44.99 at autozone.
Yes, if they say the wheel bearing is bad at 135,000 I would believe them.

 

Just replaced mine on a 99 with 90000 miles. Try getting one for a RHD model, had to get a rebuilt one from New Zealand shipped to the UK, and yes its the balljoint that goes,

 

The plot thickens. I am now told I need control arm bushings, idler arm, and center link. The control arm busings look like a b*tch to replace. Can I just replace the other parts and get an alignment? Oh and they told me the front wheel hubs are fine. I feel like I'm on a merry go round with this crap. Thank you for any info. Very much appreciated.

- Matt

 

If your bushings are bad then an alignment won't do any good. There will still be to much play in your front end to hold a proper alignment. Getting the old ones out is no problem, they can be cut or drilled out. Putting new ones in requires some special tools. It's kind of like putting in new pistons. First they need to be compressed and then forced into place with a bearing press.

 

I put all of these threads together since they're all dealing with the same thing. In the future, please edit your existing thread with any new information rather than starting an entire new thread.

Thanks!

 

Frankly the pitman, Idler and wheel bearings are common. Ive done all three and truck is handling like new. Dont wanna think about bushings. I would get a second opinion on the bushings. Otherwise see if you can get control arms with bushings already installed. Lots of foreigns are sold that way.