Idler arm and Pitman arm. Common wear or attempt to get money?
 

So I bought a 98 fwd 4 door chevy blazer with 100.000 miles on it for $4200 in last october. I have put 12,000 miles on it sense. Found it was spinning out like crazy when I first bought it so I put new tires on it and it had been pretty much fine since. Have an electrical short in the instrument cluster and I just bought a gps and ignore it.

Now a new issue is arising. Car feels abnormally bouncy and shaky on rougher roads. Had my shocks checked and shop says they are bad and it will be $500 to replace them...also mention my idler arm and pitman arm are bad and said that would be another $500 to replace.

This is third shop that has told me the idler arm is going bad but the other two mentioned the tie rod and this one didn't. I would like to keep the car til next summer and still take 3 hour trips every weekend.

So my question is to idler and pitman arms really go so bad I need to drop $500 on it at 112,000 miles or does everyone think I can just let it ride?

Also is $500 to replace shocks outrageous?

Any help would be appreciated

$500 to do all 4 shocks seems a bit steep, but I'm not sure what shop labor rates are in your area. I've done all 4 of mine in the driveway in a little more than an hour. They're pretty easy to do.

As for the idler and pitman arm, they are a common weak point, and if they haven't been replaced before then it's possible they're in need of being changed.

Thanks El_Beautor,

I guess I'll try and find someone to do a cheaper price.

Pittman arms arent usually a bad part. Now,idler arms...look forwards to doing 3-4 in the time you own it. lol. 500 to do the 2 arms? wtf? if u was in my area'd id charge you 100 bucks. it takes MAX 2 hours. even on a 4x4.(on 4x4 u have to pull the gear box)

the shop you took it too is killing you. Dont look at more then 225 for labor. for ALL of it. Matter a fact,you can do the struts yourself,and idler arm. Its SO easy. requires a rachet,extension and a socket. Thats it.

Thanks Chris015...That's what I was thinking after was looking around and reading up on the subject. I can't believe how bad the shops in this area are taking people for a ride. I mean they seem to be charging 3 times what any job is worth. If I don't use a coupon or shop around they try to charge $60 to change oil. INSANE

pretty much every s10 or chevy fullsize i look at at work is going to have a bad idler, pitman arm, or both. its just a common chevy thing i guess.

my 1990 when i bought it had a bad idler on it, replaced it and lasted a year, next one 3 months, next one after that 3 months. finally bought that giant moog one and going on 2 years so far so good.

also mechanics will write up anything that has a hair of play in it as we are just supposed to point out anything that is wrong with a car. so it might not be really bad it might just not be new.