Replacing steering gear and pitman arm should I also install new idler arm and pivot

[fishv12]

Good day all

As the title said I have ordered a new steering gear and waiting to receive it in order to determine if I need a 3 or 4 spline pitman arm. Now I would like to know if I should just go ahead and replace the idler arm and idler arm pivot at the same time.

Should I get the truck aligned afterwards? Since I am not touching the tie rod ends I am not quite sure if this will affect the alignment any.

 

[henery97]

It shouldn't effect your alignment but it would be a good idea to realign. Try your gm dealer, mine will align any vehicle for $35. I would also replace at least the idler arm.

 

[SteveLBZ06]

i would go ahead and do the idler also..thats the easy part of that job. a new alignment probably isnt necessary as long as you make sure to spline the pitman arm onto the shaft in the exact same spot but it probably wouldnt hurt either.

 

[jmaz268]

Much easier to replace as a set, and if you get a new moog one, you can get the remote grease fitting for it. Makes it much easier to get to.

 

[c20elephant]

The splined shaft on the steering gear has a "keyway" similar to a driveline slip yoke, its a oneway trip.

 

[standy]

I would replace it. If I remember correctly, the parts all superseded to the 4 groove set up. I was told that you must have matching parts, because they changed the design. Meaning that a 4 groove pitman arm won't work properly with a 3 groove idler.

 

[fishv12]

Haha last alignment cost me a whole 200$ because I have played with my torsion keys and it took the alignment guy a whooping extra 30 minutes to get it dialed in. Frustrating. I will try to save me the extra dough but I guess if I have to I will.

I checked the new gear I got has 3 grooves so I got a 3 groove pitman arm and idler arm and support arm. The whole thing I guess... Truck has 200,000kms on it so if I am replacing one thing I may as well replace the other at this point.