Idler Arm

Idler Arm – Maintenance for Off-Road Riding

If you love to live in the world of big trucks and off road adventures, then you already know that these big beasts need just as much tender loving care as the tiny hybrids, if not more. Many people think that only things like brakes and engines can be vital to the safety and function of your car, but the truth is that when you are asking a lot of your vehicle on a daily basis, the steering and suspension systems becomes just as important. If you’ve never taken the time to do a little inspection of your idler arm, now might be a good time to do it.

If you have never even heard of the idler arm before, you’ve got to understand where it’s located and what it’s used for before you can even begin to attempt your own steering system maintenance. On off road or four wheel drive vehicles that utilize re-circulating ball steering, which are commonly Toyotas, the idler arm works together with the pitman arm to control links to the steering system. However, when you are pushing your vehicle to the test on the trail, the idler is something that can commonly break.

If you think that your arms might have become worn due to the toughness of life on the trail, you can do a self check for many of the common signs of wear and tear. The first thing to look for is a loose or drifting feel to the steering wheel while you are driving. This happens because the idler shaft is being allowed to move around laterally in the worn out control arm bushings. Another thing that you can do to self diagnose a worn arm is to have someone help you by turning the steering wheel around while the car is not moving. Lie on the ground under the vehicle and look to see if the arm itself is turning downward or moving sideways before the tires begin to turn.

Another reason that you should be concerned about knowing the purpose and placement of your idler arm is that you will be able to speak more intelligently with parts salesmen and mechanics who are recommending work or parts for your car. Most mechanics will be able to sense that you don’t know what they’re talking about, and they can suggest excessive repairs. If you don’t know the difference, you may end up spending too much money to repair your off road vehicle.