the alignment tech said as he moved the front wheels side to side while the car was on the lift.

but the steering wheel is moving too

I think that the alignment tech thought I looked like an idiot.

 

Place a jack under the passenger side, and raise the tire off the ground. Try wiggling the tire, while watching the idler arm. That will tell you if he was trying to sell you an unneeded $100 (list) part, or if you actually need it. Any play, is too much.

 

I JUST REPLACED THE IDLER ARM BUSHINGS TONIGHT. Do not buy the complete arm. There are 2 bushings. Thats it. I paid 10 dollars for both. It took 10 min to lube and install. Not from the dealer either. I can get them if interested. I priced a Moog idler arm from Oriley. Thats their cost price not list.

 

Oh and to check the arm, Just grab the link atached to it and rotate. If the bushing were like mine, it will have alot of roll. Also your car will pull to one side or drift left and right over bumps during braking/ high speeds. All of that is gone now on my car.

 

hey where in huntsville are you?what year and color rx7?

 

skrew, you should know that! We talked at O'Riley's.

 

And I replaced the bushings 8 months ago. Thankyou all for the sincere advice, the alignment tech was just jacking with me. He looked for idler arm movement with his high tech green lensed flashlight, but couldn't find any. The alignment just cost $20.

While waiting for pay the bill to be written up, I over heard him saying to his boss. "Hell, he (meaning me) said he just replaced the idler arm bushings........" I think the low price was to sucker people in, and then they "find" all kinds of stuff to repair. Such is life. And that's what is great about owning an old sportscar that you take a mechanical interest in.

I could of drove off without paying.

I got Sumitomo HR200 205-60r13's in the front. How about 215's in the rear?

 

yeah i figured it might be you, but i was just checking. glad your here.
on a similar note
me and my friend were talking tonight and she was telling that every time for the past 2 years she has had her oil changed at wal-mart they've told her that she needs an alignment really bad. i would have thought within 2 years the "bad alignment " would have destroyed the tires. but hey you know those wal-mart techs, they know everything.