Recently had the truck in my signature in the shop, Replaced the passenger side idler arm assembly, The remainder of the steering linkageappears healthy, intact. My question...I don't off road , reasonable tire alignment intervals, keep the zerks lubed... this is the second time in 5 years I've replaced the passenger side idler arm.... what is causing this ? Costs... parts100.00, labor 192.00 , toe and camber adjustment 119.00. Am I getting skint? What can I do to prevent a repeat ? To be honest... I had not noticed any performance/driving issues... just assumed it was a "truck".Thanks , Charles

Open the engine hood. See that big chunk of iron they call an 8.1? That thing is heavy! Real heavy. Bottom line. big blocks and diesels wear out front end parts very quickly. Some of the "new" parts are not made so well either. A lot of china junk out there.

My first thought is that the curbs are on the right hand side of the truck, but I want to keep it friendly .Keep back from the parking bumper too.Fred.

:) Hi, I can only guess because there are too many variables and I don't know all of the facts. I think the first idler arm was just normally worn out. The second one was probably a low, or lower, quality aftermarket part. Idler arms can also be installed incorrectly.

My 2006 Duramax was a great truck. I put 125K miles on it in 7 years and spent about 4K (including maint.) at the dealer within that time. 80% or more was on front suspension parts. Hubs, pitman arm, idler arm and other things that I can't remember. Those trucks really seam to eat up front suspension parts.

Idler arms wearing out are extremely common, just due to the design of the part. A lot of people say Moog parts last longer than stock or OEM parts. It would normally not disturb the alignment, but getting alignment check is cheap insurance for your tires. It's an easy part to change, usually two bolts, pop the ball joint and back in.Brian

Truck mechanic opinion... | Good Sam Community

Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Open the engine hood. See that big chunk of iron they call an 8.1? That thing is heavy! Real heavy.

Bottom line. big blocks and diesels wear out front end parts very quickly. Some of the "new" parts are not made so well either. A lot of china junk out there.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
My first thought is that the curbs are on the right hand side of the truck, but I want to keep it friendly .

Keep back from the parking bumper too.

Fred.
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
:) Hi, I can only guess because there are too many variables and I don't know all of the facts. I think the first idler arm was just normally worn out. The second one was probably a low, or lower, quality aftermarket part. Idler arms can also be installed incorrectly.
mtofell1
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
My 2006 Duramax was a great truck. I put 125K miles on it in 7 years and spent about 4K (including maint.) at the dealer within that time. 80% or more was on front suspension parts. Hubs, pitman arm, idler arm and other things that I can't remember. Those trucks really seam to eat up front suspension parts.
VintageRacer
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Idler arms wearing out are extremely common, just due to the design of the part. A lot of people say Moog parts last longer than stock or OEM parts. It would normally not disturb the alignment, but getting alignment check is cheap insurance for your tires. It's an easy part to change, usually two bolts, pop the ball joint and back in.

Brian
transamz9
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
A lot of shops will sell you a Idler arm because they are an easy sale. They are like Ram Ball Joints. They are mis-diagnosed a lot. It was probably fine.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Feb 14, 2015
VintageRacer wrote:
Idler arms wearing out are extremely common, just due to the design of the part. A lot of people say Moog parts last longer than stock or OEM parts. It would normally not disturb the alignment, but getting alignment check is cheap insurance for your tires. It's an easy part to change, usually two bolts, pop the ball joint and back in.

Brian
I use Moog replacement parts as well and agree Diesels and big blocks tend to wear out the front ends a little quicker.
cdlaine
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Thank you for your opinions. I will try to pay better attention to
my kissing the curbs, can't do much about the weight, and the lower
grade Chinese parts (get the service done at a local Chevy dealer).
Will look into MOOG next round.

Oh well...still love the truck....with all it's faults, still a pulling beast.

Thanks, Charles
BenK
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Moog used to be my fav, but after they sold and the new owners moved parts sourcing off shore...found them no longer worthy of my money

Agree with the weight from big block gassers and diesels, but say to factor in how you drive

That part mainly slow speed in parking and tires

That wears mine out the fastest....along with off roading
jmaotto
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Sometime the cause of failure on the idler arm is the lack of lubrication. Make sure that all joints are lubricated. There are 11 of them on these trucks. I have an '02 with 126000 miles and the front end is as tight a new.

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