The steering components on the passenger side go something like...Idler arm is connected to the frame rail. Pitman arm is connected to the idler arm. The center link is connected to the Pitman arm. Are the idler arm and Pitman arm serviceable? Replace bushings/washers etc. Or do you simply replace the entire unit? Thanks.

 

The Idler Arm and Pitman Arm both hook up tp Tie rods. There are Two Inner and Two Outer Tie Rods. I imagine you could have them rebuilt, but it is easier to purchase new ones, and they are not that expensive. I just swaped my entire front end with new parts ordered from Victoria British. The Pitman Arm came with the ability to attach a Zirk Fitting to it, so that was nice.

In any case, taking the Pitman Arm off was a bitch, but nothing a bit of heat wouldnt help with......

 

Thanks for the response. It's always nice to hear someone else's experience before diving into these things. Did you use a puller or just brute force with the heat? Also, how would I know if it's time to replace the tie rods? I imagine this would be the best time to do it while the whole thing is apart.

 

I thought the pittman arm was connected to the steering gearbox...

Anywhozer... To diagnose tie rods, Jack the car up... The WHOLE front end so both front tires are off the ground...

Insert your key and unlock the steering wheel...

Grab a tire at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock... Jiggle it back and forth, If you feel that tire move independantly of the steering system (even slightly) replace the tie rods. If you do it from under the car, you can figure out which one is loose... I'd replace all at the same time, but if you are strapped for cash, you can do em independantly... Alternatively, you can have an assistant wigggle the tire and under the car, you'll see the tie rods joined by the center link... Put your hand on the center link... If it moves with the tire, the inner is gone... If it stays put, the outer is gone...

Repeat for the other side...

Also, you can grab the tire at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock... Jiggle it to check your ball joints.

 

Sorry guys, I got the pitman arm and idler arm mixed up. Anyway, it was the idler arm. Got it off no problem with the puller I got from autozone. Best $10 I spent. Anyway, there was practically no bushing left...it was all crumbly in there. But after cleaning and upon inspection of the parts there seems to be no damage. But this is the first one I ever took apart so I can't be certain. I would like to go the $10 route and replace only the bushings rather than $50 for the whole unit. What else should I look for? What do I do with the other end with the rubber boot on it? Thanks.

 

Can someone help me out with what to do with the rubber boot on the other end of the idler arm? Do I leave it alone? Do I put grease in it? Thanks.

 

take a pic and post it. I willl help.

 

Here are a couple of pics. First time posting pics so i hope i did it right. i took the rubber boot off to take a look inside. looked like trace amounts of grease in there. should i pack it with grease or is it probably just dirt stuck in there? do i just clean it out real good then leave it alone? thanks.

 

If its still nice and tight, I'd leave it alone. If there is any play with that part of the assembly then I think you'd better replace the whole thing. Might be wrong though, I'm just guessing. Good luck.

 

When you buy a idler arm, it comes with the bushing.
When you are driving, do you feel a crazy vibration? If so, more than likely it is your idler arm, replace it.

 

Ok, you guys might be able to help me then.

I got my idler arm and bushes replaced about a year ago. Anyway, besides that nothing else has been touched, and lately there is a fair bit of free play with the wheel....and when im slowing down, often the car wants to pull to the left, especially if there is slight divits in the road and stuff. While driving at like 80 - 100km/h the car kinda "floats" when im steering, like there is a bit of slack before you actually get some response with the wheels. It's getting annoying now, and well sometimes I guess it can be pretty dangerous in a bad situation. It's not terminally bad or anything, just at times, it pisses me off. Possible problems/solutions?

85 rx7.

 

The whole thing still feels very tight which is surprising since there was no bushing left and it was clanking like a son of a gun. Anyway, I put it all back together and took it for a ride and it feels fine. Thanks for all your input.

 

Mr Rx7 AU, sounds like you could use a overhaul. The suspension/steering is almost 20 years old. Myself, I replaced the entire front end minus the steering box. Look into replacing the Inner/Outter Tie Rods, and the pitman arm. I was amazed at how tight it felt after I replaced those even before any alighment. You can also adjust the steering box a bit, but I am not sure how to do this. Do a search on that.

 

http://www.mazspeed.com/steeringgear.htm

 

Thanks Slashdawg!