Okay I have to ask. My 01 F150 is now going on its 7th idler arm since i have owned it (2008). 160k miles with a 16 mile daily commute (6 miles gravel with 2 of those miles on rough section line road.
I am getting tired of replacing these, it is [censored] near ever year. The rest of the steering is factory and still tight...but I might as well change the steering idler ever oil change the way it is going. The truck has no lift...I run 285/70/17 trail type tires(KANATI TRAIL HOG)...not overly aggressive, and not much bigger than stock. The truck has new upper and lower ball joints, upper control arms, wheel bearings, CVs, and sway bar links..And was just aligned 4 months ago with no issues.
Since I have owned the truck, only two years of use (2011-2012) were not on any gravel roads.
I have used Motorcraft and Moog. The ball joints were replaced in 2010 with Moogs - both the idler and ball joints greased once a month.
The rest of the steering is holding up perfect...why am I eating these idlers?
EDIT: I should point out...the section line is a bit rought but I could driver my Grand Prix down it if i wanted without issue...not that bad. It is just a good road to take my dog for his run.
I am getting tired of replacing these, it is [censored] near ever year. The rest of the steering is factory and still tight...but I might as well change the steering idler ever oil change the way it is going. The truck has no lift...I run 285/70/17 trail type tires(KANATI TRAIL HOG)...not overly aggressive, and not much bigger than stock. The truck has new upper and lower ball joints, upper control arms, wheel bearings, CVs, and sway bar links..And was just aligned 4 months ago with no issues.
Since I have owned the truck, only two years of use (2011-2012) were not on any gravel roads.
I have used Motorcraft and Moog. The ball joints were replaced in 2010 with Moogs - both the idler and ball joints greased once a month.
The rest of the steering is holding up perfect...why am I eating these idlers?
EDIT: I should point out...the section line is a bit rought but I could driver my Grand Prix down it if i wanted without issue...not that bad. It is just a good road to take my dog for his run.
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