I had ben thinking that my front shocks were gone because of all the bounce I was getting in my steering wheel and dropped it off the other day to get it smogged and they told me that my idler arm needed to be replaced and he said it is a common problem with lifted f 150's... Anybody else ever had this problem? It is a 2wd 1998 f150.

 

My idler arm and all four ball joints were replaced under warranty at just under 60,000 miles. THese and tie rod end are common high wear items on our trucks.

 

Mine was replaced on my '97 at just under 12K miles. When turning, sounded like the truck was about 100 years old. Have heard it many times since on trucks, expeditions, etc. Best part was the dealer mech. bitched at me saying "Y'know, you do need to lube these". Hmmmm, they're sealed ball joints....

 

did it improve your ride at all or make it easier to steer? what changed after you had it replaced?

 

At 12000 miles I think the truck was too new to tell any real difference. The steering might've been a little tighter. It was quiet when parking though. Mostly an annoyance if I remember correctly.

 

yeah I have 78,000 so mine has a constant noise while my wheels are turned all the way I just thought that was my power steering, and hopefully it will tighten up my steering.

 

Man it's like a night and day difference it rides like a whole new truck.