'05 duramax streering question

[Jester1]

Took the dmax in to have an alignment done and the service tech told me the idler arm and pitman arm are shot, and the bushings in my shocks are toast. So I asked him to run the numbers so I could find out a price. I told him to leave the bushings out as I can do that (and he wants to replace whole 4yr old bilstien with new 85.00 each, poly bushing kit 5.00 DUH). He told me with alignment $580.00 intalled.

So here is the question. How hard is it to replace a idler and pitman arm? I checked the price on these two parts and even if I get the best of the best it 70 a piece. Another 70 for alinement hasen't even broken the 220 buck mark. Is there really 350 dollars worth of labor there? Besides he qouted me almost 300 for the parts and I can get them for 120-140 dollars.

I have been dealing with these guys for years and now I am getting hammered on price. I may be looking to take my buisness somplace else. I may call a few other shops for pricing, as I am short on time to get out of town, but really thinking I can do this myself when I get back. I am not that strong on steering components so looking for some advice from the brotherhood.

 

[ktmoutfront]

My brother did his. But he is extremely mechanically inclined. He does work with jack stands, no lift.

 

[max 02]

I did the same to mine 2 years ago...with jackstands in my garage.
Not that hard to do. But kinda a pain. Had to take my steering box out to get the arm off.

The price you where quoted is less than the quote I got.

Buy moog parts and get Cognito braces,I didn`t do the braces but should have.

I was able to do it in a afternoon...had to, was my only vehical to drive.

 

[miniwally]

Buy the cognito brace kit and don't replace the idler and pitman arm. Done several trucks this way now and have nearly 100,000 miles on them collectively with no issues.

While your doing them,their easy really, go ahead and do ball joints and tie rod ends. Cognito upper arms are the way to go for the average GM truck IMO

 

[sweetk30]

x2 on any ifs gm truck cognito parts for steering .

and bolt it in your self if you can turn a wrench .

sometimes you can unbolt the box but leave the lines on and clock / twist it to get the arm off/on . so you dont need to reblead the system .

 

[Jester1]

Thanks guys I am actually very mechanically inclined. I just have not dealt with steering much. I will check into the cognito stuff, but will probably be selling this when my 90 gets its new motor. Now cognito for the 90, may have to look into.....