1998 S-10 2WD needs work: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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July 27, 2010 6:09 p.m. mistanfo SuperDork

Quickly, I need to know how to R&R the idler arm and pitman arm (do pitman arms exist on 2WD S10s?, I cannot find any) on it. Long story below.

Ok, looking at a truck in Maine (owned by a relative). 2WD, LS package, four cylinder, manual transmission. Decent condition body wise, though I didn't look underneath it too closely (yes, I know that it will have rust under there, it's a twelve year old northern truck.

According to the shop where my aunt took it, it needs an idler arm, a pitman arm (a quick look only brought up ones for 4WD trucks...), new brake lines and fittings, front pads and rotors, and new front shocks. This is to pass a Maine inspection (no idea as to how strict they are).

I know how to replace brakes, up to and including total R&R of the system. Ditto on the front shocks. Where I am lost is the idler and pitman arms. Never had to do such a thing. What am I getting myself into? Is it a quick unbolt and rebolt, or something much more difficult? I need to let her know within a week's time if I want it. $1500, and an excuse to fly to Maine to see relatives for a day or two. Jetblue has flights out of BWI for $50 with taxes, and a friend lives less than 10 minutes from there.
July 27, 2010 6:13 p.m. iceracer Dork

You need a puller for the pitman arm and possible the idler which could be bolted on.

You sure it doesn't have rack and pinion ? I forget.
July 27, 2010 6:25 p.m. barnca Reader

check the top of the fuel tank.. i just dumped mine cuz it needed everything you just stated plus a fuel tank and a yoke... the cross beams under the bed.. look at em close or have looked at...and cab corners. just a few hints of what i just went thru.
July 27, 2010 6:34 p.m. hotrodlarry Reader

iceracer wrote:

You sure it doesn't have rack and pinion ? I forget.

No rack and pinions on those.
July 27, 2010 6:43 p.m. mistanfo SuperDork

I'll see if my cousin can look at it. I can't get there easily, and don't want to spend a weekend and a two way ticket just to have a look see. Thanks for the advice so far.
July 27, 2010 7:30 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

chances are the pitman arm is a "crash" item which means it is a solid chunk of metal and therefore highly unlikely to be in need of replacement EVER. it probably needs the centerlink if they are claiming pitman arm.
time to find another shop for the inspection.
July 27, 2010 7:59 p.m. hrdlydangerous Reader

You probably need an idler arm which bolts to the frame and possibly a center link. These are the things that usually go bad on the front of S series trucks.
July 27, 2010 8:04 p.m. Ranger50 New Reader

Forget removing the pitman arm on a 2wd S10. The tie rod goes into the pitman arm. The 4x4's have a joint built into the arm that passes into the tie rod. For a 2wd, you will have to replace the center link, if that joint is worn. The 2wd's are known to be tie rod eaters.

The idler arm is a pickle fork, hammer, nut, and 2 bolt removal operation. Easy peasy lemon squeezey.

Brian
July 27, 2010 9:49 p.m. mistanfo SuperDork

Sweet! So long as it checks out in terms of rust, looks like I am flying up sooner than later.
July 28, 2010 7:58 a.m. dean1484 Dork

Probibly $100 in parts rent the pickel fork or by it. They are less than $20 and an hour in the driveway. Ohya PB Blaster is your friend.
July 28, 2010 9:09 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

It's just nuts & bolts. Buy a pickle fork. They're like hammers, when you need one there's nothing else that will do it. Break everything apart and then bolt on new.

I've never seen a pitman arm go bad, they bolt to the steering box. If you lift a vehicle you may need a longer one, but err on the side of safety.

If it's drivable, plate it and drive it home. Do all that stuff in one weekend.

Dan
July 28, 2010 9:29 a.m. Mazdax605 HalfDork

There will most likely be amazing amounts of rust,and rot on the frame,so watch out. I say this because while I know the Ranger,and S-10 are different trucks they aren't that different,and I just saw a 98-99 Ranger on a lift at the local shop who does my inspections,and the shop was replacing rotted out rear spring mounts where the shackle attaches,and the frame are around them was not looking real happy either as well as other areas of the frame. This was on a truck that had a really nice looking body(the bed was mostly fiberglass though as it was a step side)and otherwise I wouldn't think to be so nasty looking underneath. I also have a friend that has the same truck that needs the same replacement. His is so bad that the spring is detached from the shackle mount,and riding on the bed floor. Again this is a truck that looks great,but is so nasty from the salt around here underneath. I imagine Maine may be worse for the salt,but who knows. Just a heads up,but at $1500,and a trip to see friends,and family it is probably worth it even with rust/rot.