Humvee Steering Diagnosis & Repair - Pitman, Idler Arm, Tie Rod - Frozen Joints!

[@GerardLennon]

Another great video Chris. Keep enjoying your off roading!!

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

Thank you.

[@Acamp1103]

I'll be doing this shortly on my m1123. My tie rod and pitman/idler arm boots are all leaking but the suspension is still stiff as hell. It was definitely confusing to determine which set of components to buy for an A2 humvee (not the heavy duty and not the m998). I forget which one you have but I think it's also an A2 as I recall. Nice to see someone else suffer through it first so I can take the easy route and avoid the struggles 😅 Thanks for your videos which are quite helpful.

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

Just make sure you have a good pickle fork, pitman remover and time. It will make for a nice project when you are done. Mine is just an M998.

[@hotwheelbigwheels]

nice video thanks, ill be doing this in a couple of days once the replacement parts arrive. KZbin certification, check!

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

It will go smoothly. Let me know how you keep the tie rod measurement or if you just take it for an alignment

[@hotwheelbigwheels]

@@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures I like your method Im probably going to copy you. Did you take yours in for alignment after?

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

@@hotwheelbigwheels nope. It feels and drives straight and I don’t put enough miles on it on the highway to worry about the tires.

[@arthurpletcher7299]

May I ask a question about installing power steering onto a 1991 M1097? It never had EPS, so I need to order all the necessary parts, which I can only guess at . Can you help? ty

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

I would suggest reaching out to Midwest Military equipment and going over the parts with them. Bolting it up should be pretty straightforward. I don’t think you’ll have any issue getting that all set back up.

[@jimbella9353]

DO NOT OVERPOWER >>>the steering linkage!!! Very common problem caused by drivers who have not been properly trained to operate in On & Off-road conditions. This video is an excellent case as to why AM General required all their HUMMER Dealers to have Off-road training courses for their customers. To learn the "Do's & Don'ts" of HUMMER Operation!

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

Hello Jim. What do you mean by overpowering?

[@jimbella9353]

When one (or both) front tire/wheel assemblies are jammed hard against an immovable object (rock, etc.) continuing to apply force by turning the steering wheel, multiplied by force exerted through hydraulic pressure can deform the steering linkage. Idler Arm takes the brunt of that excessive force and typically will be first to deform.

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

@@jimbella9353 That makes sense to me when you say it that way. I honestly don't know of a spot that I knowingly attempted to force the wheel to turn against a rock or other object. My wife is a good spotter and you can hear/feel the feedback in the steering if getting in that situation. I think my main culprit was water intrusion as the boots were all in bad shape and I clearly didn't ever grease the lower fitting on the input shaft. But good points to keep in mind. It is all in spec now now and ready for more abuse!

[@mattlawson7007]

Which power steering pump do you have? Is it the one that has the reservoir one the pump or remote reservoir?

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

With the reservoir built in.

[@mattlawson7007]

​@@McSpeedAlaskanAdventuresDon't forget to check the filter in the back of the reservoir and the flutter valve to make sure they are clean and free moving. Just a little bit of crap or sludge can slow down the steering. And if you're feeling really froggy you can replace it with the remote style. The difference is night and day. The remote ones pump more and better pressure, they are used on the heavy's. One more thing, I didn't see your vacuum lines on your portals, if I just didn't see them my bad. I believe you can get an operator's manual from Midwest, might make maintenance a little easier. Let me know I can tell you how to do your tie rod and wheel alignment all together.

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

@@mattlawson7007 great reminder! I will.

[@REAL4wd]

Very common issue on H1 and humvee, it has 90% to do with deep water crossing, water gets inside stirring components and creates thin layer of rust, when you try to drive the next day or so, you will notice stirring wheel is getting stuck and not wanting to return back , Here is the fix, raise the front end, open the hood, spray PB blaster on Pitman arm, tie rod heads, idler arm, right in the joint section where it can penetrate inside, start the truck turn the wheels back and forth and repeat the process few times. I’m just few min it will fix itself.

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

That’s great info!!!!