GM 26023005
Idler Arm

To service and repair the Center Link, start with raising the vehicle, place jack stands to support it. Take out the steering shock absorber depending on the relay rod, if available. Use the correct tool to remove all Tie Rod and ball joints. Do not reuse the idler arm ball stud nut while removing the inner Tie Rod Ball Joint from the relay rod. Then, take off the idler arm ball stude nut and pirman arm nut. Use the universal steering linkage puller (J 24319-01) to remove the relay rod from the idler arm ball stud and the pitman arm ball stud. If available, drag the link from the pitman shaft. Check for damage on Tie Rod threads and ball stud, check for excess wear on ball stud seals and clean ball stud threads. For installation, secure the relay rod to the idler arm ball stud and the pitman arm ball stud making sure that the seal is on the stud. Applying the steering linkage installer (12 mm) (J 29193) or the steering linkage installer (14 mm) (J 29194) tighten the ball stud to 62 nm (46 ft. Lbs.) to seat tapers and then take out the installer. Put on the new idler arm prevailing torque nut and tighten it to 62 nm (46 ft. Lbs.) along with the new pitman arm prevailing torque nut. Lastly, install the Tie Rod inner ball joints to the relay rod and the steering shock absorber to the relay rod if equipped.

Start by raising your vehicle with jack stands in place to begin replacing the Drag Link. Apply the j 24319-01 universal steering linkage puller to remove bolts from the ball studs on the Pitman Arm and ball studs on the Drag Link. Use the j 24319-01 to remove the Drag Link from its attachment points on both the Pitman Arm and Tie Rod assembly. Review the threads connecting the Tie Rod and ball stud for damage while also verifying ball stud seal health. Also clean all dirty threads from the ball stud. Start by mounting the Drag Link ball stud to the Tie Rod assembly before joining it to the Pitman Arm ball stud keeping the seal in position on both ball studs. Connect the j 29194 steering linkage installer (14mm) to tighten the Pitman Arm ball stud to 62 nm (48ft.lbs.) until the tapers seat before removing the j 29194. As the final step, use a torque wrench to tighten the ball stud nut on the Pitman Arm to 54 nm (40 ft. Lbs.) and the ball stud nut on the Drag Link to 105 nm (77 ft. Lbs.). Then lower the vehicle.