Chevy Silveraydo Pitman Arm, Idler Arm, Idler Arm Bracket

This is a video of me changing the Pitman Arm, Idler Arm, and Idler Arm bracket in my 2006 Chevy Suburban. (GMT 800)
This process should be very similar for all GMT 800 half ton trucks and SUV's and not too much different on the 3/4 ton models.
This includes the Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Avalanche, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade.
For AC Delco Professional Parts
The Idler Arm is part number 45C1120
I couldn't find that part in stock anywhere. Just the lower advantage model which I was advised to stay away from.
So I got the MOOG HD part # K6534HD here:
amzn.to/2Zz1Ccw
The AC Delco Pitman arm itself is part # 45C0069 and I got it here:
amzn.to/3w2q0Q8
Finally the idler arm bracket is AC Delco part # 45C1123 and I got it here:
amzn.to/2ZJIEAn

[@brentscottbrent1]

Once you do this, you'll never take apart old parts without doing this: power wire brush the nut and bolt end paying attention to cleaning the bilt thread ends. When you break the nut free and begin taking the nut off, you won't be fighting the crud left on the bolt threads and the nut. I'm telling you, you'll wonder why it took so long to figure this out. It makes the job easier and safer.

[@jameschristopher6690]

I do that exact procedure when accessible as well,works nicely

[@jimbradley727]

Watched several other vids..yours had several details that made the difference for me..Went and bought the exact Maddox puller set since mine was outdated and failing..Thanks for the effort..

[@ambikesandboards]

Videos like this have saved me thousands of dollars and headache of doing repairs like this blind

[@drmikeosgood]

Thanks, I have a complete front-end joint replacement kit for my 2005 Silverado Club cab and will note the way and caution you used during repairs, I'm also doing both front-end bearings. Fun to be had during this process!

[@Churchofthelostsheep]

Well done video man! Gave me the confidence I needed to go tackle this job. My pop was a heavy line tech for 40 years, recently passed. I’m excited to use the tools he left me, BLESSINGS! Keep them coming!!!

[@briankennedy5578]

One thing you left out was how to properly use a pitman arm puller. People often try to use them by only turning the bolt. This will damage the puller. And many times wont remove the arm. Also greatly reduce tool life. Tighten the bolt good and tight. Smack the head of bolt 2 to 3 times with a hammer. Tighten bolt again. Smack with hammer. Repeat until its off. Dont go crazy with the hammer. Just a couple good hits. If you dont get any looseness in bolt hit a bit harder. Shock from the hammer added to pulling of puller is what gets it. Little bits at a time. And make sure to keep the bolt clean and well lubed. Getting a siezed pitman arm puller off can be loads of fun, especially if you dont have a cutting torch.

[@nlemmer]

Just figured that trick out tonight. Good advice!👍

[@mrkrabsthegoat8088]

had a hard time taking my pitman arm off, just did this trick and it popped off !

[@franciscallan2729]

I always do a ton of research when ever I tackle a project. doing mechanical work for thirty years preparation is everything to a smooth and complete job .

[@ZJSpellman]

this is exactly what i needed. 95 tahoe 2wd.. had to buy the maddox set as well. no where else had the right size pitman arm remover. THANK YOU

[@dannybowman7792]

Thank you for letting us watch. You saved me a lot of trouble.

[@tomgoller1364]

Part way through this on my 2005 Silverado. Thanks for the tip on loosening the gearbox.

[@71druss]

Very helpful, now I know what I’m in for and what to do. Thanks for posting,

[@zahirmontano2254]

Will be doing all this and the actual steering box thanks for the video

[@marcusmilan2279]

Thanks so much doing the same thing on a 07 Duramax and couldn’t figure out how, again thanks so much really informative

[@jason6325]

Wow.looked fun. About to tackle the whole shebang today including ball joints and tir rods🙄

[@PaulRevere886]

Thank you for this video bro. Girlfriend's pitman arm broke this morning on a 06' Sierra and lucky enough I know now what's wrong and how to fix it!

[@vladimirasuncion2952]

Nice video, thanks For sharing, i was afraid to change those parts to My escalade by My self and mess the aligment, but after your video i feel confident..

[@matthewmontes7600]

Man this is the realest video I've seen...thank you sir

[@STREETRACEN4U]

i hit my idler arm with a 4lb sledge for 2 hours straight and it didnt budge! tomorrow im getting pullers, torches and pickle forks im not playing! That pitman arm was the worst for me but i got it

[@shiannelittlewolf5594]

This helped so much. Thank you!!

[@kennethtaylor6489]

Thank you very needed appreciate your time and video

[@diego3ful]

Great video man, I'll subscribe 👍

[@USA__WILL]

Thank you sir for your upload. Very helpful. Going to tackle this on my 02 Escalade. Brakes Plus wouldn't align my SUV until those parts were fixed and a wheel bearing. They quoted me $1456 for everything. That's 1/3 of the price of my Escalade so I need to get my hands dirty.

[@bruceyyyyy]

Hope it helps out! It was a fairly easy job all things considered.

[@WJHandyDad]

kudos to you getting some of those camera angles. I know it is not easy!

[@vasquezeli19]

Nice video, just ordered all the stuff. Don’t feel comfortable myself to do it so I’ll give my mechanic a call! Also the acdelco idler arm is on rockauto

[@vasquezeli19]

My steering wheel was centered but my truck pulled to the right. Hopefully this fixes that

[@hunterbaird235]

U can get the whole kit off Detroit axle with a 10 year warranty. It comes with the Pitman arm, the idler arm and bracket tie rod and tie rod ends. Less then $100 free shipping

[@ChinookBear]

Do you have a link to this?

[@mateodemateus5444]

thank you for sharing

[@joshuaherrera9501]

What kind of puller is that on the centerlink

[@braploud4969]

How’d you bend the Pitman puller !!! Help lol

[@gudinofrancisco37]

Where you buy ac delco parts I need change the same parts for my Tahoe 2003

[@beronib888]

Nice video 👍, do you happen to know the size of the zirk fitting for the idler arm? Can't seem to find the correct one to grease it

[@bruceyyyyy]

It just takes the standard grease gun that I have.

[@lloydcousins9590]

I have 2001 chevy express 1500 when l step on the beark it pulling to.the right

[@buddyrebel_Garcia]

Damn that intro

[@Jordanslifts]

your truck is much dryer down there than mine lol

[@logan8256]

I’m replacing my pitman arm on my lml duramax and can’t get a socket on either. My centerlink is out of the truck right now. Should I put the centerlink on and tighten everything down like idler arm and tirods then lower the truck so when I crank the pitman nut it won’t turn the shaft?

[@bruceyyyyy]

Do you have a wrench big enough to fit? If you do, I would try it. If not, I believe you can remove the entire steering box from the steering shaft if necessary. Nice to hear from a Duramax owner! I've just got a 5.3 like a peasant.

[@johnathonevans8318]

Remove a sway bar 4 Bolts Plus the end links gives you way more clearance to get this done

[@Stuckofftherealness]

A bad pitman arm and idler arm is the main culprit for wearing out tie rods. Upgrade those two and most won’t have many tie rod issues.

[@jburners20]

Take out the sway bar if you don’t want to struggle 😂

[@ek6667]

Hi, I have replaced all 3 parts, now it’s hard to turn the steering wheel, and it will not rebound back, have you had that problem?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I have not.

[@carloschavez1336]

Howd that happen? Did u get it fixed?

[@JessieMorales2]

Will this be the same parts for a 2007 chevy tahoe

[@bruceyyyyy]

That's a different generation than shown here. I believe the 2007 Tahoe has a rack and pinion as opposed to a steering box.

[@dangarcia2053]

I did this now mybsteering wheel is crooked and dont know what happened, took in for alignment and they said its really off and they cant get it too 100% so they never did it 😢 idk what to do mow

[@bruceyyyyy]

Could you try removing and re clocking the pitman arm?

[@chrisbowdoin8321]

I just did the whole front in without locking out steering wheel with seatbelt and realized it is 90 degrees off to the passenger side once I finished, but drives straight. I will be taking my pitman arm off again and recentering steering wheel. I think it may have turned during installation or I didn't have my wheels straight, as I started repair with bolt missing from upper control arm causing all this to be replaced. I'll let you know what I find out, unless you fixed yours already.

[@SF-fm7ov]

I may be wrong, but it appears to me that you may not have the pitman arm splines lined up correctly. The shaft doesn't quite seem to be on all the way. Also, that shaft had 3 or 4 threads showing past the nut when you took the old one off, but the new one does not. Great video but that is a concern. Not trying to criticize, just want you to consider the possibility that you may need to take a second look. I will be doing this soon.

[@matthewschroebel421]

That is the Moog pitman arms; they don't go all the way down. Lots of complaints around on the 'net about them going way back to 2006. You'd think Moog would fix that. I'm installing the Cognito PISK (Pitman Idler Arm Support Kit) which resolves the arms failing and you have to use OEM GM arms. Sent back the Moog's I'd ordered.

[@reynaldolugo7115]

need alignment after replacing this ?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I did not as the pitman can only go one one way.

[@Aj.d13]

Can I get a list of tools need to do this job

[@bruceyyyyy]

There is one in the video around the 2 minute mark.

[@thatruthhurts1670]

How do I know which one I have? 06 z71

[@bruceyyyyy]

It should be the same one as shown here. This was an 06 Z71.

[@Gypobt]

i learned from Yours mistakes Thx

[@oscarlopez2599]

You need an alignment after this repair?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I did not.

[@oscarlopez2599]

@@bruceyyyyy sweet, how did you check to see if you needed a 3 spline vs a 4 spline pitman arm

[@bruceyyyyy]

Pure dumb luck. I believe the HDs got 3 spline but even that I've seen mixed results. Everything is so old anymore it could be either.

[@jacobn3160]

Are these parts still holding up well?

[@bruceyyyyy]

Yup! I didn't doubt the AC Delco but the Moog has had no issues. We drove in some rough places over the last year as well.

[@jacobn3160]

@@bruceyyyyy Thanks for the response. I ended up getting a GM genuine idler and bracket assembly for $120. Then got the delco professional pitman arm. Hoping it holds up and gets rid of the slop in the steering. I’ll be adjusting the gearbox worm gear as well

[@chevrolegss]

@@jacobn3160 moog makes decent parts for half the price. Just because it’s more expensive doesn’t necessarily make it better. ACDelco is a steel product as well as moog. Steel is steel.

[@fourspeedSS]

I replaced all my tie rods inner and outer. Pitman and idler. Steering box and upper Steering shaft. My truck was aligned, but the Steering is still loose. Steering wheel has a lot of slop. Will replacing idler bracket help. It's the only part that wasn't replaced

[@ninjak2647]

@@fourspeedSSDid you get a new rag joint for that steering shaft? Those go bad often.

[@shyskeleton1665]

Lmao at begining you were talking about the brands and stated kryptonite is a good brand basically. You said its a little more expensive lol. You must be joking cause i found ac delco pitman arm to be about $60 to $80 and kryptonite $500 or $600. Thats far from a little.

[@bruceyyyyy]

I've heard nothing but good things. If someone's got that kinda cash to drop more power to them.

[@shyskeleton1665]

@@bruceyyyyy oh i agree. Although i think its ridiculous to have to be rich in order to have decent things

[@stephenk.5839]

AC Delco parts are probably made in China now, so I would not expect them to last long.

[@butchtheiw]

What is it with guys that are adamant about using quality parts (Moog/AC Delco) but buy their tools at Harbor Freight? Cheap chinese junk tools that fail constantly. You'll use your tools forever. Buy decent, American tools, boys. You'll regret HF crap tools.

[@bruceyyyyy]

To be fair to harbor freight here: their stuff didn't break, the Amazon special did. But as far as not using US made stuff: Since the parts nor the truck were made in the US to begin with I guess I decided it was appropriate to stick with the theme.

[@stillwill1808]

If a steering component fails when your doing 70mph it can be deadly. If that harbor freight puller breaks removing a pitman arm its an inconvenience. For a diy'er that may only use a job specific tool once or twice I'm not springing for Snap On.

[@trumpsarmy2499]

Will a bad pitman arm and idler arm make a clunking noise when going over bumps

[@bruceyyyyy]

I think it's definitely possible but not definitive.