Does anyone make an idler arm specifically for lowered cars? This is the second time I've had to replace it since lowered and the third since I bought the car new. Are they just naturally pieces of junk or is there hope?


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Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but what does an idler arm have to do with a car being lowered?

 

I wondered that myself. The alignment shop seems to think that it may be related to the change in height and it may also change the steering geometry. This is new to me but then again anything is possible.

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Mongoose-NCTGA-1990 Pontiac Formula/305 TBI-700R4 with Edelbrock Performer TBI intake,TES headers,and STB,K&N,MSD-6AL,Holley laser shot coil,Accel Extreme 9000 wires,Jet Stage 2 chip,TCI shift kit with corvette servo,Richmond 3.73 gear with Auburn 3 series posi,no cat,SLP 3" cat back,Eibach sportline springs,Energy Suspension poly throughout,Lakewood LCA and adjustable panhard bar package,SSM subframe connectors,IROC wonder bar,Tokico 5 way adjustable struts and shocks,Autometer electric fuel pressure gauge,Alpine,JL Audio,MB Quart,92 GTA taillights,92 GTA aero wing and hatch,Steve Spohn LCA relocater kit,MacEwen White face gauges,84 T/A cold air induction air cleaner,Grant Formula GT wheel.

 

I've never heard of an idler arm being worn due to lowering the car. I'm about to do the lowering, plus a complete suspension rebuild. I have a new idler arm (along with everything else!) I got from www.p-s-t.com for $45. If I have something similar happen, I'll ask around and see what the deal is. Personally, I think your alignment shop is on crack!

 

I don't think that's the case. I know that GM idler arms are infamous for going bad frequently. I'm suspicious of the possible effects of lowering but who knows-it may contribute to it but not be the main cause. S-10 trucks are also prone to go through idler arms as well. I'm going to do the job and save myself $130 bucks. I'll get it aligned next week.

 

Well, for trucks, if you lift one too high, you need to change the Pitman arm. The reason is that the geometry of the front suspension changes so much that instead of the Pitman arm being level, it slants at an angle... which makes steering very poor. Aftermarket companies make "drop pitman arms", which is basically a pitman arm that's lengthened in the middle. So picture a letter "Z", with the middle "/" part made really long, and that's a "drop pitman arm". (I know they don't look like Z's, but that's the closest thing I can think of ) [edit] I did an internet search, there's a picture on this webpage of a drop pitman arm: http://www.4x44u.com/SEMA2000/column3/

This is usually a problem when the truck's been lifted 2-3 inches... how low is your car? But even so, it's not the pitman arm itself that goes bad, just the feel of the steering. I don't think your idler arm would wear out faster. Do you keep it lubed frequently?


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[This message has been edited by TomP (edited March 06, 2001).]

 

Mine is lowered 2" in front and 1.5 out back with Eibach Sportline springs. The idler arm is lubed at every oil change(3000 miles). Maybe it was just a wild goose chase about the special arm,but mine is shot anyway. I'll be replacing it soon.

 

I was told that you should never use springs to lower with. buy the spindles and variable resistance springs so you don't bottom out

 

I have no bottoming out problem at all plus the ride is virtually no different than a stock WS6 ride.