Wheel Alignment Woes...

[Hekta]

So I went to get a wheel alignment yesterday.

Dropped my car off in the morning at the place across from work and went to pick it up in the arvo on the way home. When I arrive there the dude says we couldn't do the alignment cuz your idler arm is 'badly worn' and you have 2 split cv boots

What does a 'badly worn' idler arm mean ? I've climbed under and checked it out, looks ok, no movement in it... how do I fix it

My mate said to paint it and take it back to 'em and say it's a new one

[Bitsamissin]

Hekta I'd definitely try the paint scheme to test these guys out.
A lot of tyre chain joints do this as standard procedure "we can only align it properly if we replace the idler & pitman arms all the balljoints and tie rods"

["CANADA"]

back home on the old boy's chev 1ton they wouldnt do a alignment due to a 3inch lift....

[J Top]

You can rebush them, mitsi sell a nylon bush which is simple to fit and cheap
J Top

[Noisey]

With your foot on the BRAKE and the car running so that your power steering is working turn the steering wheel back and forth only enough to take up any slack in the steering but not enough to actually turn the front wheels. If you have any components in the steering that require attention you will feel a small "clunk" or "knocking" through the brake pedal.

or

get someone else to rock the steering while you check the arm for movement.

Paint or "boot polish" it if you are not convinced it needs replacing.

[revnkev]

Replaced my idler arm bushes about 12 months ago with "nolathane"?
bushes (red in colour) for a wheel align,and went for a rego check a week
ago and they are worn already you can see the slop with the
wheel jacked up and moving it by hand.
The mechanic told me that he has seen this a few times before,seems
the nolathane bushes can't take the loads that are on the idler arm,he
recomended genuine bushes so I rang Mitsu and the spares bloke
rekons there are no bushes listed only the complete unit for $210
Told him I'll see what else is available ,will do the ring around 2morrow.
Might even look into turning some up out of something suitable ???
Good luck with yours.