Hello all. I am new here and was wondering if anyone can shed some light. I have an 02 FX4. About 40000 miles ago I decided to go with a set of 35's with no lift. The front was lifted with the torsion bars. The truck now has about 80000 miles on it and the steering is getting sloppier every day. I went to go have the front end aligned and was told I needed the idler arm replaced. I haven't yet been under the truck but can anyone tell me how much of a pain is this to change out? Any specialty tools needed? ANY recommedations would be greatly appreciated.

 

I dont think the idler arm is all that bad, its the pitman arm that can be a bit of a pain on the 4x4 since it wont simply drop out.

 

So do you recommend that I change the pitman arm as well?

 

No, not unless they recommended replacing it.

 

the idler arm usualy goes first befor the pitman arm, the idler arm is pretty easy instal 2 bolts that hold it to the front srossmember and one that holds it to the draglink, the one on the draglink you can use a pickle fork to remove, to check the pitman arm jack the front of the vehickle off the ground and move the tire from side to side to see how much play you have in the pitman arm, they make two difrent size idler arms for the f-150 you will need to check how many inches ther is from the middle of the two bolts on the idler arm on is three inches the other is 2 and a half, most times it is the 2 and a half, good luck

 

I have changed the steering idler on my 97 F150 4x4 without removing the tires or jacking it up. It does have a 4 in lift, but that job was easy.