Would Worn Out Idler Arms Cause Excess Tire Wear?

[Rileysowner]

Just replaced the idler arms on the van, when I was doing it and an oil change after having been sick on and off since November, I noticed some excessive wear on the front tires. I am thinking alignment could be the problem, but at the same I the idlers, especially the drivers side, were quite worn. Would a worn idler cause excessive tire wear and where and how would it show up on the tire if it does?

[rlsllc]

IIRC, worn idlers cause wear on the inside and outside of both tires, the right one usually showing more wear than the left. The steering will feel loose or sloppy, but since it happens over time, you may not notice the change.

[Rileysowner]

I have not noticed the steering being sloppy, although I have a noticeable vibration. The wear is on the inner side of the tires and is worse on the drivers side. I was first thinking alignment, but wondered if it could have been the idlers. I am going to get it aligned Monday, and I am sure they will say something.

[kings-x59]

The coil springs on my poor old '89 settled over time and changed the camber which wore the inside edge of the tread completely bald. An alignment solved that problem. I doubt your springs have settled, but the camber may be out of adjustment.

I have a feeling new idler arms are in my near future. I've noticed a bit of slop in my steering lately and a bit of 'bump' steer as well, which in uncharacteristic.

[Rileysowner]

It is an easy enough job once the rusty bolts are broken free. If I could have broken them free right away, it would have only taken an hour or two at most. Of course once I have done something, doing it again takes a lot less time.

[kings-x59]

That's good news. Hopefully I won't have as much of a struggle with the bolts. I don't live in rocksalt country and the idlers were replaced two years ago or so - when I had the alignment done. Not moog idlers obviously. the replacements will be Moog though....as soon as i get over this dang pneumonia.

What will I need for special tools?

[Rileysowner]

....as soon as i get over this dang pneumonia.

What will I need for special tools?

I had pneumonia this winter as will following having the H1N1 flu. The first round of antibiotics didn't help and a month later it was as bad as it was when I first went in with it. Got two other antibiotics, and that cleared it out only to have a small stroke following that. If the pneumonia clears out expect your energy levels to be much lower than normal for 6-8 weeks. Also, don't start back at strenuous stuff too quickly or your pneumonia could come back. In other words take it as easy as you can for a month.

As for the idlers, on mine it was a 18mm socket, a breaker bar, pipe (to put over the breaker bar for extra leverage) and lots of penetrating oil to get them off. The new ones used a 19mm nut on the stud that connects them to the steering. Oh, and you need some sort of puller or pickle fork to separate them from the steering.

[kings-x59]

pickle fork eh?

I've had this creeping crud before. Caught it early this time. Last time was in '05, took 2 1/2 months to get rid of.
I'm on the mend, energy is subpar though.

[Rileysowner]

At least I am not alone it having less than normal energy. Get well.

[Rileysowner]

Tire wear was likely the shocks. I thought so when I examined it carefully as it was not even wear, but choppy. Other than the bearings being a little loose, but otherwise looking ok, the rest of the front end looks good now that the idler arms are replaced. Thankfully I paid for the extra road hazard warranty on the tires, so they will be replaced for only the price of balancing the new ones. I will get some new shocks, and that should get things working right steering wise.

[kings-x59]

good deal. You get well too Jim.