Idler Arms and Ball Joints

[WVKayaker]

Last weekend after my canoe trip, my van started pulling hard to the left while braking. It was pretty severe. At high speeds and fairly hard brake the steering wheel would practically yank out of my hand. And at slow speeds, I could brake hard, let go of the wheel and make a left hand turn. So today I took it to the shop fearing the worst and almost got the worst. Turns out the brakes were fine. Broken ball joint and bad idler arms. Now I have read in here about how these vans eat front end components. I asked what he was going to use as replacements and he says AC Delco. I says, nope, upgrade to Moog. Thanks to all the advice I've read here, that's what I am going with. Just last September I replaced a broken ball joint on the right side, and now another broken one on the left. January of '07 the right idler arm, cheapest one I could get to pass state safety inspection. (lasted a measly 7k miles) Learned my lesson and hopefully I am good to go for a while. Never had any front end issues with my 1990 shorty...Dang it! I am not that hard on the van. I go down rough back roads frequently, but I usually take it fairly easy.
If the Moogs don't last, I will seriously consider a 4X4 F250 with a cap on the bed to haul me and my boats and bikes around!

[betz]

I put some moogs on mine thanks to the recommendation of the forum. However...less than a year later and I already had to replace one of them! Well...I found out that we don't recommend MOOGs because they are the toughest thing in the world, they are recommended because they have a lifetime warranty so you just replace 'em for free when they wear out. At least that's my experience.

[WVKayaker]

If I have to have them replaced in a year I'll do a warranty replacement then you'll see my van on ebay....@14MPG might as well get a real 4x4!

[wagonmaster]

Idler arms and ball joints like grease,lots of grease! I still do my own oil changes every 3,000 miles and some consider that overkill with sythetic oil, but I don't drive it everyday and it takes me a while to do 3,000 miles most of the time. Nevertheless, I always grease the suspension components myself and have installed 45* and 90* grease fittings wherever possible to assist in getting the grease gun on the fitting and to ensure a proper amount of grease gets to every fitting. First Suspension work was at 85,000(now) with both idler arms and they aren't really "that" bad. It's just when I tow my trailer and have grandkids in the back, the front end is light enough to notice just a little vibration. Ball joints will easily last another 10-15,000 miles. Grease is cheap front end components usually aren't. Just a thought......

[SoCalli V8]

I fitted the HD Moog idlers and balljoints over 10 years ago when I lowered my van and am very happy with them.

I agree, keep them greased.

[dunedog]

Idler arms and ball joints like grease,lots of grease! I still do my own oil changes every 3,000 miles and some consider that overkill with sythetic oil, but I don't drive it everyday and it takes me a while to do 3,000 miles most of the time. Nevertheless, I always grease the suspension components myself and have installed 45* and 90* grease fittings wherever possible to assist in getting the grease gun on the fitting and to ensure a proper amount of grease gets to every fitting. First Suspension work was at 85,000(now) with both idler arms and they aren't really "that" bad. It's just when I tow my trailer and have grandkids in the back, the front end is light enough to notice just a little vibration. Ball joints will easily last another 10-15,000 miles. Grease is cheap front end components usually aren't. Just a thought......

Good post! and all so true.
Most of us don't do enough of the maintenance called for in the owner's manual

[WVKayaker]

Thanks for the advice on grease maintenance!

[LaGrasta]

I change my own oil (every 5k) and grease all the fittings about every 2nd or 3rd time. I now have about 140,000 miles and still all original front end parts.

[WVKayaker]

the responses are encouraging, thanks.
still wonder why this van's front end doesn't seem as tough as my '99 shorty.
I beat the crap out that van. Had it for 16 and 1/2 years 193K miles.
Must be the AWD....I'm guessing

[dunedog]

More weight......you were younger then and in better shape

yes the AWD van is quite abit heavier in the front than the old shorty

[WVKayaker]

Finally got a chance to post an update on my new Moog ball joints and idler arms. Along with that I had got new brake pads, and rotors too. And had my Helwig sway bar installed. The difference in all that is night and day. I had always thought the brakes sucked, and now she's stops on a dime. And the front end is very tight and feels great. Took a couple sharp turns and it's tight and responsive. Like a new van. The owner of the shop said he is sure I have the original spark plugs and recommended a tune up soon. I guess I need one with 136k miles and 14mpg. Will have to wait for next month.

Here's some pic's of the sway bar for your viewing pleasure