Buying Guide For Idler Arm
Facing steering issues? Is your car’s steering system not responding as well as it was previously? Considering that the wheels are aligned properly, these are the indicators of bad steering linkages, the idler arm in particular.
You’ve arrived at the right stop where you can find all the information you would need to know about idler arms before investing in one. We have also sorted out the best ones available in the market for you.
1. What Is An Idler Arm?
- What Does an Idler Arm Do?
2. What Are The Types Of Idler Arms?
3. What Are The Things I Should Consider While Buying An Idler Arm?
4. Which Top Brand’s Idler Arms Should I Choose?
- Mevotech Idler Arms
- Dorman Idler Arms
- Delphi Idler Arms
- Moog Idler Arms
5. What Are The Symptoms That My Idler Arm Is Failing?
- a. Road Walking
- b. Poor Steering
- c. Drifting
6. How Long Will My Idler Arms Last And What Causes Them To Fail?
1 What Is An Idler Arm?
The idler arm is the part of the steering that provides pivoting support for the steering linkages. It is situated on the passenger side of the vehicle frame, the opposite side of the center link from the pitman’s arm. The construction of an idler arm basically involves a bracket, an arm, and a pivot bearing. The bracket side of the idler arm is bolted to the frame of the vehicle on one end and supports the bearing on the other end. The arm connects the bracket to the steering center linkage and pivots on the bearing. Given that it aids the vehicle’s steering movement, the idler arm is prone to wear and tear. Regular lubrication could help maintain the idler arm in proper condition for a long time.
What Does an Idler Arm Do?
The idler arm is a component of a car’s suspension system that plays an important role in ensuring the vehicle’s stability and control while driving. It is a pivoting support for a conventional parallelogram steering linkage on some cars and trucks. The idler arm supports the end of the center link on the passenger’s side of the vehicle and is attached between the opposite side of the center link from the Pitman arm and the vehicle’s frame to hold the center link at the proper height. The idler arm counterbalances any force applied to the frame by the steering linkage when turning, ensuring that the front tires are correctly placed so they travel in the intended direction when turning. It also operates to help minimize vibrations and absorption of impacts from rough surfaces while driving by dampening motion sent through steering system components. If the idler arm is fitted with grease fittings, these should be lubricated with a grease gun at each oil change.
Top Picks For Idler Arm
2 What Are The Types Of Idler Arms?
There are two types of idler arms that you can buy. Although they serve essentially the same purpose and have more or less the same pivoting power, they differ in the way they are connected to the steering systems of your vehicle.
A. Arm type
An arm-type idler arm consists of an arm with mounting points on either end of it, one of which attaches to the vehicle’s frame and the other to the steering system’s center linkages. It is the most widely used in cars today.
B. Bracket type
Bracket type idler arms enclose the entire pivoting assembly in housing which directly bolts to the frame of the vehicle.
3 What Are The Things I Should Consider While Buying An Idler Arm?
A. Compatibility
This is the foremost thing you have to look for when buying an idler arm or any automotive component for that matter. The first thing you should consider when buying any steering component is its compatibility with your vehicle. Most idler arms come as a direct fit, so it is important to choose the one that suits your steering system. A little bit of research regarding your vehicle type should get you through to choosing the right one.
B. Durability
The material used in manufacturing the idler arms influences its durability. Alloy Steel, Iron & Carbon Steel are the most often used materials. In view of cost-cutting, many cheap idler arms are made out of materials that aren’t just as durable as the more expensive ones which could put you in a very dangerous situation once failed. Alloy steel has the best mechanical properties and therefore the best one to go for, to enjoy the maximum service life of the component.
C. Pricing
Good idler arms don’t necessarily mean expensive. There are many aftermarket brands like Delphi, Dorman, Mevotech, and more that produce quality products that are just as good if not any better than the OEM ones. They can cost you around $30-$150 on average. This price bracket could slightly vary depending on the brand you have chosen.
4 Which Top Brand’s Idler Arms Should I Choose?
Mevotech Idler Arms
With the motto “Engineered for Technicians”, Mevotech started in 1982 with the best design practices, right materials, and strict quality control as its pillars. This led them to become one of the leaders in the manufacturing of aftermarket driveline, steering, and suspension parts.
Part Numbers: GK6535, GK6659, GK8747, GK6366T, GK6483T, and more.
Features:
- Greaseable Ball Joints improve the service life of the ball joint.
- Bearings are made of a durable sintered powder metal that leads to a longer-lasting part.
- Anti-Corrosion Coatings prevent rusting for a longer part service life.
- Ball Pins are surface hardened to prevent premature wear and improve fatigue life.
For more, you can visit our Mevotech Idler Arms section.
Dorman Idler Arms
Keeping innovation as its primary aim, the company since 1918 has churned out some of the finest aftermarket automotive components. Maintaining consistency, the company has paved itself a path to become the people’s choice for affordable aftermarket parts.
Part Numbers: A81229XL, IB6533PR, IA81589PR, IA6392XL, IA9508PR, IA8747PR, and more.
Features:
- Reliable fit – High precision-engineered to equal the design and dimensions of the original part
- Durable construction – Produced using strict standards using sturdy, safe materials
- Rigorously tested – Thorough quality control measures ensure longevity
For more, you can visit our Dorman Idler Arms section.
Delphi Idler Arms
Headquartered in London, UK, Delphi is a leading aftermarket automotive parts manufacturer with technical centers, manufacturing sites, and customer services in 24 countries. The company, time after time, has proven its record in producing only high-quality products.
Part Numbers: TL507, TL478, TL2017, TL2016, and more.
Features:
- Fatigue is tested to avoid premature failure.
- The pack includes the necessary accessories for a complete job
- The ball studs are machined to Micron tolerances for durability and smooth Joint operation
- Anti-corrosion protection applied to each part for corrosion prevention and enhanced aesthetics
For more, you can visit our Delphi Idler Arms section.
Moog Idler Arms
Established in 1951, MOOG had always emphasized precision which is why they are one of the market leaders in aftermarket automotive parts. Not just in the automotive space, MOOG has also excelled in aerospace, defense, industrial, and medical applications.
Part Numbers: K6723, K400018, K6534, K6535, K8747, and more.
Features:
- Heavy-duty design
- Loose or worn chassis parts can lead to premature tire wear
- Engineered steel composition results in a stronger component
For more, you can visit our MOOG Idler Arms section.
5 What Are The Symptoms That My Idler Arm Is Failing?
Road Walking
In other words, road wandering is a situation where your vehicle tends to weave on its own. Even if you are attentive, even if you have a steady and strong control on your steering wheel, and if you’re still experiencing road walking, it’s mostly caused by an idler arm. You could face great difficulty in keeping your vehicle straight which can be a major safety concern.
Poor Steering
If there’s no much resistance felt in the steering wheel or extra play in the steering wheel before the wheels actually respond, this is an indicator of a bad idler arm. In extreme cases where the arms fail, you may lose all the ability to steer the vehicle. Such issues should be immediately addressed since such issues put not just you but also other road users at risk.
Drifting
A failing idler arm can cause the vehicle to respond incorrectly to the steering which results in the vehicle being pulled to one side. Not only can it have lots of play, but it can also be highly inaccurate or seem to have a mind of its own while you are driving down the road. This can be especially dangerous during hazardous weather conditions or on a busy highway.
6 How Long Will My Idler Arms Last And What Causes Them To Fail?
Ideally, the idler arms are constructed for maximum durability. A proper maintenance routine could push the idler arms for a lifetime. However, considering the real-world conditions are not so ideal, the idler arms wear out sooner. Factors such as personal driving habits, driving conditions, maintenance, and lack of lubrication influence the life of the idler arms majorly. Any sort of accident could also cause damage to the idler arms, which is more often than not forgotten. This could potentially fail the steering system and put you and your vehicle in a very undesirable situation.
Mevotech Idler Arms – Part Number Catalog
| Sub Category | Part Numbers |
| Mevotech Idler Arms | GK6535, GK6659, GK8747, GK6366T, GK6251T, GK6532, GK7225T, GK6512T, GK6390, GK6483T |
Dorman Idler Arms – Part Number Catalog
| Sub Category | Part Numbers |
| Dorman Idler Arms | IA81229XL, IB6533PR, IA81589PR, IA6392XL, IA9508PR, IA90019PR, IA6247PR, IA6512PR IA6532PR, IA8747PR |
Delphi Idler Arms – Part Number Catalog
| Sub Category | Part Numbers |
| Delphi Idler Arms | TL507, TL478, TL2017, TL2016, TL509, TA2410, TL2008, TL2014, TC1638, TA2135 |
