Need front end help

[BFC]

Took the truck in today to have the front tires balanced and checked. they're wearing bad on the inside both of them, right side being worst. Well, while it was in I told the guy to do an alignement(SP?) thinking that was where the wear problem was coming from.



Long story short, I was told the the idler arm was done with (guy used anoher name for it, I forgot it) Just to make sure I have the right terminology. I'm talking about the piece that goes from the track bar to the frame right above the piston end of the steering damper, it has a grease fitting on it(front part). On the right side of the truck.



If this is confusing tell me, I'll get a picture of it and post it. my knowledge of steering/suspension system is limited. I was quoted 400$ to fix it. I have the service manual and if I looked up the right thing, I think I can handle it and get it aligned after it's in. 400$ seemed steep to me.



Anybody know of a good place to get this part or is it steeler only. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the novel.



TIA,



Glenn

 

[Snow man]

You should be able to replace the idler arm easily,it helps to have a pickle fork. You should be able to get that at any Napa,Autozone,or any local part store. Moog has a heavy duty line of idler arms,I buy them for my plow trucks,they are about 20 dollars more,but the bearing is very HD,and it stays tight much longer. I dont know if they make them for 2wd's but my GM 4x4 IFS plow trucks go thru them fast until I put a Moog in,then they last. Most idler arms I buy cost between $30 and $60,so add 50 bucks far alignment,and your saving a lot of money.

 

[BFC]

I found some at some at AutoZone(online) they have two, one with 14. 5MM braket bolt holes or 16MM. Anybody know wich one for my truck(see sig). I did a search on Moog, came up empty. Any sites, sugestions?



Thanks again,



Glenn

 

[Bill Lins]

Try CarQuest for Moog parts- they were the only place I could find the greasable ball joints I wanted- Moog part number in a CarQuest box.

 

[BFC]

I'm stumped with 14. 5MM or 16MM bolt bracket hole(so are both guys at NAPA & Carquest) Couldn't find it in the service manual(might just be my dumd a$$ though), Anybody know wich one for my truck?



TIA,



Glenn

 

[Snow man]

Dodge uses a mix of metric,and american bolts,if a 14. 5 mm existed,it would match a 9/16",so use that. A 16 mm is a hair bigger than 5/8",so thats what it probably is. When i did my trans,I couldnt believe how the transmission to engine bolts were metric,but trans to t-case,and all driveshafts/crossmembers were american.