Pitman arm instlation

Idler arm and or pitman arm most common.could also be excessive play in steering gear box.Tie rods/center link but usually its my first 2 choices go bad bothe of them idler and pitman common wear parts.

Idler arm will cause your shimmy also check the pitman arm for any movement up and down.Most of the time the idler arm will wear out first.

Locate the idler pulley to the left of the crankshaft pulley. The idler pulley bolts to the idler arm. The idler pulley is replaced with the arm because they are sold as one unit.

2 Place a 3/8-inch ratchet driver into the square hole on the face of the idler pulley and pull up on the handle. This releases tension on the Sonoma's serpentine belt. Pull the belt off the idler pulley, lower and remove the ratchet handle.

3 Remove the two bolts that secure the idler arm to the engine block using a socket and ratchet, and discard the old idler arm.

4 Place the new idler arm against the engine block and secure it using the socket and ratchet.

5 Put the ratchet driver into the square hole on the new idler pulley, pull up on the handle and place the serpentine belt over the pulley.

6 Lower and remove the ratchet handle.

here hope this helps for a 98 model but very similair

1998 GMC Truck Jimmy - 4WD ' Blazer, Bravada, Jimmy, S10 Pickup, Sonoma VIN S/T Service Manual ' Steering ' Power Steering System ' Repair Instructions ' Document ID: 416283
Steering Gear Replacement (4WD) Removal Procedure Tools RequiredJ 24319-B Steering Linkage Puller
Notice: Do not rotate steering shaft after steering column has been removed. Damage to SIR components may occur.

1. Remove the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement in Engine Controls 4.3L.




2. Place a drain pan below the steering gear.
3. Remove the inlet and the outlet hoses from the power steering gear.
Cap or tape the ends of the hoses and the gear fittings in order to prevent dirt from entering the system.




4. Remove the intermediate shaft shield from the steering gear.




5. Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt.
6. Draw alignment marks on the lower intermediate shaft coupling and the steering shaft.
7. Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling from the steering shaft.
8. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
9. Remove the steering linkage shield. Refer to Steering Linkage Shield Replacement in Steering Linkage.




10. Remove differential carrier shield mounting bolts.
11. Remove the differential carrier shield.




12. Remove the pitman arm ball stud nut at the relay rod.




13. Disconnect pitman arm from relay rod using J 24319-B .




14. Remove the steering gear mounting bolts and the washers from the frame.
15. Remove the steering gear.
16. Remove the pitman arm. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement in Steering Linkage.

You might want to try your local library. Many libraries have do it yourself books online. The pitman arm is the "bone" type part from just below the steering box to the rods. each end is a ball joint. Just a matter of removing nuts from the pitman arm and prying them off. They may need a little persuasion to come out they they will eventually. Good Luck.

You will need the proper tools to remove them which can be rented at auto parts stores. The pitman arm has to pulled off with an pitman arm puller also have to drop steering box I believe to change it. I know we did on my 1996 Tahoe the idler arm can be seperated with a front end fork also available at parts store. You just drive it between the idler arm and tie rod after removing castle nut and cotter pen.

You will need a pittman arm puller and a tie rod puller to remove this item. Some shops such as NAPA & Auto Zone rent these tools

remove the large nut where it attaches to the steering box, the small nut where it attaches to the center link. you will need a pitman arm puller to get it off the steering box. before you pull it off, take note of the positioning of the arm, there are 4 possible ways to put it on and you HAVE to put it back on the same way. dont forget to get an alignment after.

2000 gmc jimmy front cv axle nut (36 mm) torque ratings?

The idler isn't bad, Remove cotter pin going through the nut, take off nut, you need a seperator tool to pull apart the arm from the center link, once that is done, remove the two bolts holding it to the frame, remove arm, installation is just reverse.
The pitman arm is a little more to it. Do the same, remove cotter pin, take off nut, and seperate it from the rod, now there is big nut holding it on to the bottom of the steering box, take that nut off (some are a real pain), you will need a pitman arm puller to get it off. Note the position of the arm, need to put new one in same place, pull it off slow, sometimes seals will come with it, put seals back in same way, if they come out. Put some grease on splined shaft, tap new arm on until you can get nut on, tighten up with nut. Hopefully you have any problems. Good luck.