How much play at steering wheel is normal?

[1 Patriot-of-many]

I had my HMMWV into the shop for exhaust work about a month and a half ago. They told me I needed a new idler arm and pitman arm. So i ordered them, it's going back in tomorrow to replace these. My left arm had a completely torn bicep tendon right before I took it in, so I can't work on anything for a while 5-10 lbs restriction. Anyway just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting taken, The Tm's show these to be straight forward, I'd do it myself if I was healed up.. I have probably two-two and a half inches of play when the humvee is at rest, engine shutoff at the steering wheel, when driving it doesn't wander at all. Is that a good sign that they aren't trying to get extra work out of me? I want to get this taken care of so I can drive this thing without wondering(haven't driven since coming home from the exhaust fix, dying to drive it) Thanks.

 

[orgnal]

I had my HMMWV into the shop for exhaust work about a month and a half ago. They told me I needed a new idler arm and pitman arm. So i ordered them, it's going back in tomorrow to replace these. My left arm had a completely torn bicep tendon right before I took it in, so I can't work on anything for a while 5-10 lbs restriction. Anyway just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting taken, The Tm's show these to be straight forward, I'd do it myself if I was healed up.. I have probably two-two and a half inches of play when the humvee is at rest, engine shutoff at the steering wheel, when driving it doesn't wander at all. Is that a good sign that they aren't trying to get extra work out of me? I want to get this taken care of so I can drive this thing without wondering(haven't driven since coming home from the exhaust fix, dying to drive it) Thanks.

With the engine shut off, I can barely turn the steering wheel. I will check again when I get home.

McReddy

 

[infidel got me]

Have them show you the worn parts when truck is in the air. I like to very nominal movement in either of these parts.

 

[ari]

I had my HMMWV into the shop for exhaust work about a month and a half ago. They told me I needed a new idler arm and pitman arm. So i ordered them, it's going back in tomorrow to replace these. My left arm had a completely torn bicep tendon right before I took it in, so I can't work on anything for a while 5-10 lbs restriction. Anyway just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting taken, The Tm's show these to be straight forward, I'd do it myself if I was healed up.. I have probably two-two and a half inches of play when the humvee is at rest, engine shutoff at the steering wheel, when driving it doesn't wander at all. Is that a good sign that they aren't trying to get extra work out of me? I want to get this taken care of so I can drive this thing without wondering(haven't driven since coming home from the exhaust fix, dying to drive it) Thanks.

My steering wheel has a inch or 2 of wiggle while the truck is off.and it does drive smooth and straight as a arrow I can let go of the wheel at 60mph and it stays straight. I dont to much trust what "shops" say they always try to scare people into buying things. once when I took my beater car to get a oil change and they tried to convince me that I had a leaking PS pump and needed a new one the car dident even have power steering I had a fun conversation with em. Since what we own is quite particular Listen to people here or reference the tm not some HS drop out "mechanic"

 

[orgnal]

With the engine shut off, I can barely turn the steering wheel. I will check again when I get home.

McReddy

I take that back. It has about an inch or more of play.

McReddy

 

[infidel got me]

Two inches of play is too much. Somethings bad/worn. Idler arms are a known weak link as well as the pitman arm. That's why I said for the shop to show Patriot the worn parts while truck is on the lift.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Thanks guys. I don't think they are hosing me, I just went out and used a tape measure, It's actually about 4 inches of play EACH direction
from rest with the engine off! The guy said it was scary loose. Weird it doesn't wander much driving. I appreciate the input gentlemen,or whatever the case may be It will get fixed tomorrow and I'll post an update.

 

[Action]

Thanks guys. I don't think they are hosing me, I just went out and used a tape measure, It's actually about 4 inches of play EACH direction
from rest with the engine off! The guy said it was scary loose. Weird it doesn't wander much driving. I appreciate the input gentlemen,or whatever the case may be It will get fixed tomorrow and I'll post an update.

So, your wheel cab move 8" without the wheels turning? You have been risking other people's safety when you drove.

 

[Awol]

Thanks guys. I don't think they are hosing me, I just went out and used a tape measure, It's actually about 4 inches of play EACH direction
from rest with the engine off! The guy said it was scary loose. Weird it doesn't wander much driving. I appreciate the input gentlemen,or whatever the case may be It will get fixed tomorrow and I'll post an update.

****, that's loose! I'm surprised it didn't drive like an old squarebody Chevy lol.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Which Idler arm and steering arm are correct?

There's two idler arms and two steering arms listed in TM9-2320-280-24P My Hmmwv is a 1989 M1038

My mechanic called and told me both arms I bought were longer than the ones on there. I bought an Idler arm that the Esite says supercedes all before.
HMMWV IDLE ARM Supersedes All Prior Applications AM General Problem Solver
The steering arm I bought is

2530-01-420-5180 Did I get the wrong things? What a clusterf

EDIT: Apparently the esite ad was incorrect, the Idler arm doesn't fit the lighter duty humvees, so I know that's the wrong one. I do need to know how do i decipher which part number is correct for my vehicle in the parts TM when there are two of them?

 

[Action]

what are the two part numbers you see in the book?

The one in the pic above is for serial numbers 246,890 - 299,999.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

There are two idler arms parts numbers and two arm steering gear part numbers in this TM. I'm presuming at this point the first one is for non older humvess, the second for A1?

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

what are the two part numbers you see in the book?

The one in the pic above is for serial numbers 246,890 - 299,999.

Yeah I bought that idler arm from epay, the listing said supercedes all, but the listing was inaccurate, it's for the heavier humvees. I bought the second steering arm in the tm. I thought they were just substitutes. My question is how would anyone figure out which is for their vehicle when there is multiple part numbers listed?

 

[Action]

View attachment 690574There are two idler arms parts numbers and two arm steering gear part numbers in this TM. I'm presuming at this point the first one is for non older humvess, the second for A1?

The first #2 on that list is 5716691 / 12340016.
The first pitman arm (#7) is 5716755.
for the most part, if you see any hmmwv part number that starts with 600 or 601 or 466, it is for the newer humvees.
The older part numbers usually begin with 55, 57, 1233, or 1234. letters before the numbers would happen when part is "improved", such as EC.
RCSK could go either way.

The first #2 on that list is used on 29 variants. The second #2 is only used on 7.

In the front of that book should be a list of the UOCs stating which variant relates to which code. Find the code for your HMMWV. Then look at the parts list and order the one with your code after it. Sometimes parts of a HMMWV get some upgrades which may alter the UOC.

An example is C17 which is an m1025a2. There is a whole section in the front of the parts manual showing how to read the manual.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Delete

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Okay I finally found it. H14 is my M1038.... THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! Now I understand.