Where to purchase steering linkage components online

[wkma7six]

I have some worn steering components on my truck that I would like to replace with beefier aftermarket components. More noticeable is the pitman arm and the idler arm with at least 1/8" of play. I ordered some parts from Summit racing and they ended up being the wrong parts when I went to try and install them. Then I did some more research on the net and found the parts sent to me were for the 4WD versions.

Where do you guys order your Pitman and Idler arms from online? Oh, I should mention that I have the Xtreme version. After searching on the net, it shows that MOOG has several part #'s for a 2WD. How do we know which one it is?
Thanks for any help.

[Mikz86TA]

All 2WD should be tha same parts no matter which suspension pkg it has. MOOG would be the parts I would get. If you want to beef it up a little get (Spohn,Edelbrock,Hotchkis) tie-rod sleeves to replace the crappy OEM ones. Upgrading to poly sway bushings and end links will improve steering feel as well. Your Xtreme has ZQ8 suspension which already has the quick-ratio gear box. Make sure your rag-joint isnt worn. Unbalanced Engeneering makes a aluminum rag joint to replace the stock rubber one. More steering bumps are felt, but overall steering response is better. Other than thet, just replacing worn out componets are the best way to go.

[wkma7six]

All 2WD should be tha same parts no matter which suspension pkg it has. MOOG would be the parts I would get. If you want to beef it up a little get (Spohn,Edelbrock,Hotchkis) tie-rod sleeves to replace the crappy OEM ones. Upgrading to poly sway bushings and end links will improve steering feel as well. Your Xtreme has ZQ8 suspension which already has the quick-ratio gear box. Make sure your rag-joint isnt worn. Unbalanced Engeneering makes a aluminum rag joint to replace the stock rubber one. More steering bumps are felt, but overall steering response is better. Other than thet, just replacing worn out componets are the best way to go.

I looked online for the MOOG components, but couldn't find the exact part #'s for the 2WD versions. Does anyone know of which exact part #'s are required? I have switched out the sway bar bushings to urethanes already, but I'm looking to replace worn parts (pitman and idler arms) due to lack of responsiveness and slight wandering. When moving the front wheels towards each other, like in a toe in situation, the joints have quite a bit of play. I'll have to look into that aluminum rag joint too.

[Mikz86TA]

Are your ball joints worn? Have you checked them?

[mjones3586]

sd man

[T Man]

steering components dont typically need to be "beefed up" unless you are running larger tires, and by then you are talking a solid axle swap. since you are a 2wd, get the moogs. Ive had experience with autodrive parts, and have them in the 87, they arent bad. Rock the moogs, you wont be dissapointed

[87wildside]

That's what I have. Just don't get the non serviceable.

[wkma7six]

steering components dont typically need to be "beefed up" unless you are running larger tires, and by then you are talking a solid axle swap. since you are a 2wd, get the moogs. Ive had experience with autodrive parts, and have them in the 87, they arent bad. Rock the moogs, you wont be dissapointed

I did purchase the MOOG components, but the listings were all for a 4WD version. They were the wrong parts from summitracing.com. They have those listed for the 2WD versions too. Downside of purchasing through internet is that you can't compare and see what the parts look like till you get them.
When I found the listings from MOOG, they don't specify exactly which ones are for the 2WD versions because there are 2 different listings for the idler arm and only 1 for the pitman arm.
It's for a 2000 xtreme with a 4.3.
I'm looking for specific part #'s that you guys have used that fits. Thanks for the help.

[Mikz86TA]

The cow says 'moooooooog'. hehehehe

[Mikz86TA]

MOOG part #s
Idler : 2WD K6187 4WD K6251 (add T at the end for the problem solver version)
Pitman : 2WD no info 4WD K6255
Tie Rods Inner : 2WD ES3308 4WD ES3554
Tie Rods Outter : 2WD ES3379 4WD ES3462
Center Link : 2WD DS1047 4WD no info
Adjusting Sleeve : 2WD ES2004S 4WD ES2004S
Note that the Pitman on the 2WD is usually not a wear part. They dont have a joint, just splines at the box and a hole on the other end. The only time it needs 2B replaced is if there was severe front end damage. The dealer is the only place I know of to get it.
Also 2WD tie rods are usually longer than the 'shorty' threads on the 4WDs.
The suspension weather a Std, Z85 or ZQ8 makes no difference in these parts.
Problem solver parts are for severely worn adjoining componets. They are usually a little oversized. For instance if a regular replacement Ball Joint falls out of the a-arm hole or doesnt press in with much force, a PSolver can be used instead.

[T Man]

P Solvers are all we use at the shop

[Mikz86TA]

I used them(MOOG problem solvers) on the TA lower ball joints. I think they were knurled around the base if I remember right. The rest of my sterring is pretty new as well. I used Dana/PerfectCircle ones. It was what I had availible to me at the time through a discount I had. But I would do MOOG if I needed to do it today.

[wkma7six]

Thanks for those part #'s Mikz86TA

I'll get the MOOOOOOOG stuff ordered ASAP.

[wkma7six]

Hey Mikz86TA,
At the unbalanced engineering site, it shows rag joint eliminators for the f body cars. Would I be ordering the 3rd gen one or the 4th gen one? Are these a direct fit or will there be grinding to match bore sizes.
Thanks again!

[Mikz86TA]

That I am unsure of. Most likely the 3rd gen. The 3rd Gen F-body and the S-series use the same steering gearbox. So the splined bottom is identical. The lengths are different. And since later 3rds and all 4ths had airbags, I assume there is no problem there. Ill try to get some measurements since I have a 3rd Gen F-Boay and a S-Truck at my disposal.

[Mikz86TA]

OK. I had a spare Steering shaft for the TA in the garage. With a measuring device, the inner edge of the metal flange in which the rubbe rag joint rest inside of is 2 5/8". The truck one is hard to get to, but from underneath it shows the same size. I locked the caliper in place and it is the same on bothe. Bothe have also the same diamerter splined yoke and use a 1mm bolt. Keep in mind these rag joints are not bolt-in from the factory. They use semi-permanent rivits. So to replace them, you will need a grinder or cutoff wheel and bolts to re-attach the assembly. A bunch of F-body guys love them and have had no issue in doing the nessesary to install them. http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/ and http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/Camaro/Rag_Joint_3rd/ . One other thing I forgot to look 4 is another flex-joint. The F-body has another flex joint (regular u-joint but sealed in a rubber boot) up toward the firewall. If the S-series has one to, this should be no issue in putting it on. If there is no flex-joint, them there could be some binding issues. Ill get back if I find there isnt another joint.

[firefighter]

You could just try going to NAPA and get their fleet stuff it's Moog or TRW both good schtuff. Being that lots of Dimes were used for fleet service they have available HD parts which are just oversized. I did this on the brick at about 85K and the front end was as tight as the day I put it together at 200K when I sold it. When I tell you I replaced everything I mean EVERYTHING except for the pitman arm. It was about $300 back in '97-'98. Worth every penny.

[wkma7six]

You guys are right!! The pitman arm doesn't need changing. I just looked under there and the Pitman doesn't have any moving parts on it. So the idler arm and the center are what's popping up and down and side to side.
34.84 for idler
73.32 for Center link
just checked with my local Napa parts dealer.

Thanks for the updated info on the Aluminum rag joint replacement Mikz86TA.

[Mikz86TA]

No Problem. Got me thinking about getting 2 now =). 1 4 the TA and 1 4 the truck