i was getting some bad tire wear on my driverside front tire so i took it to a shop to do an alighnment, they said that my idler arm was worn out and had exsesive play, and i needed to replace it, has any one else had this problem? i just want to know if this is a normal thing with these trucks or if it was caused by my lift, thanks for any info in advance

 

Your lift is the cause of a rapid idler arm failure. Some do have probl;ems with them, but usually after 60,000 plus miles. This is an item that should have been upgraded when your truck was lifted. Tie rods and ball joints are not too much farther out.

 

The idler arm is the only front end component on my truck that actually has grease fittings. But even with frequent greasing be prepared to replace it more frequently as long as you have those 38" tires on there, they are big, heavy, and real tough on the front end parts.

Edit: I see you already have the steering stabilizer setup I was suggesting. :o

Good luck.

 

I just replaced my idler arm last week. I have 45k miles on my truck and it's completely bone stock. I'd say your lift had a LOT to do with your premature wear. It cost me about $80 for a new one.

-Craig

 

i called everyone to get a new one no one carries it but the dealler they said, any one know were i can get one cheaper than at the dealer? i live in california

 

I don't know why you're having such a problem locating an idler arm because every auto parts store I called had them available. Try NAPA if you haven't already. Actually, the alignment place that told you your arm was bad should be able to replace it for you. Whatever idler arm you go with, just be sure it's greasable. The stock ones are sealed and wear out quickly, as you found out. An idler arm is definitely NOT a dealer-only part though. One more thing. As your search continues, you'll find that there are two different sizes available for F150's. If you look at where the arm bolts to the frame, you'll notice two bolts. One arm has these holes 2.5 inches apart and the other has them 3.5 inches apart. I'm about 90% sure that the one I just put on my Supercrew was the 2.5 inch one. Just something to think about.

-Craig

 

Watch that tire real close -- probably a good idea to rotate it onto the rear. If you've got a vibration from cupped tread it'll wipe out front end parts in a hurry, particularly with 38's. I had tire problems on my SCrew that wore out two idler arms in under 6 months, as well as a set of lower ball joints, and these were just 245's. ...$0.02

 

theantiriced, i can find a million of them for an 01 but not for a 03, called napa, autozone, pepboys, and about ten others they all had it for other years not for 03, and the spacing on the 03 is 2.5 and 3.0 between the bolts, and the place that told me it was bad will charge me money to do it i dont want to pay any money when i am a mechanic

 

I didn't realize the 03's had a different bolt pattern. Looks like it might actually be a dealer only part. . . interesting. Best of luck to you though.

-Craig

 

Why don't you get under the truck and measure your bolt pattern? Maybe an 01-02 part would fit if you had the 2.5 inch spacing???

 

diffrent measurment frome the mount to the draglink i already thought of that, but good news tho i found a guy in the parts department at my local dealer who is a ex marine and he will hook me up for like 60$, we look after our kind, so that is cool and i will put it on this weekend

 

Just replaced my idler arm yesterday. I got mine from my local 4x4 shop, cost me 87 bones for a MOOG idler arm. Lifetime warranty..........no questions asked.

 

my 4x4 shop couldnt get it for my year 03 but i got the factory dana/spicer witch is greasable so i like that, it only has a year warenty tho

 

I had the same issue..replaced my idler w/ a greasable Moog idler...


Hope this helps...
Scott

 

problem fixed i replaced it on saterday, after taking the old one off it wasnt as bad as i thought it was, ahh well, easy install hardest part was taking off my skid plate that is all dinged up, problem all fixed thanks for all you guys input