Chevy front end question

[stinkbelly]

I have a 2004 chevy 2500HD 4x4 that I took to the dealer because the front end felt loose or something. Basically when I bounced up and down it chattered in the steering wheel.

So they came back and told me the idler arm, pitman arm, and upper ball joints on both side were "LOOSE". They wanted to replace them all. That and something on the steering wheel with an alignment for $1575 or so.

Now for my question. If all this stuff is "Loose" can't it just be tightened or is that a term meaning that it is worn out and needs to be replaced?

I think they said it was about $800 in parts and the rest was labor and alignment. Does $1575 sound right?

[bbqfan5909]

Don't use dealer and your front end parts sound wore out.

[texas bound]

No you cant tighten it up. When they say loose they mean worn out. The thing in your steering wheel is the intermediate steering shaft. As far as the price goes it does sound right for a dealership to do it. I just did an entire front end on an 06 2500hd and with upgraded parts it was around 2400 for parts but that was idler arm and idler pivot, pitman arm, steering stabilizer shock, 4 new 5100 shocks, hubs, lower and upper ball joints, tie rods and cognito upper control arms.

[frazee3200]

I reckon by loose they me bad or going bad. For my 97 half ton I was quoted 1300, so that's prolly right. I just ordered all my parts from summit racing, which was cheaper than any of the auto parts stores, did it all myself for 500 or so. Whatever you do make sure they use or you order moog parts. They are the best

[bboswell]

Loose means worn.

Don't use stealership!

[krisw]

Find a mechanic. I have an 01 1500 hd. I am pretty sure that the rattle you hear is one of the ball joints. Mine was. By mechanic, I mean a shop not a dealership.

[Bucksaw]

Depending on mileage of your truck, the parts might be worn out (given you have an 04, Im assuming they are), but the knock in the wheel is the intermittent steering shaft. Its a common problem in GM vehicles. Not a problem other than just annoying. As far as the worn front end parts, Ide find someone other than the dealer to do it. Gotta be a good honest mechanic up there that can give you a realistic price to replace all that, or a TBHer who might help you do it for a case of 12 ouncers. My local mechanic replaced all that and a wheel bearing on my 07 Classic for only $750. Everything was replaced with upgraded Moog parts with a lifetime parts warranty on everything installed.

[texas bound]

Gary I know a mechanic in Ft Worth that is good and fair. If you want his info pm me.

[the-butcher]

Following. My truck needs same

[hellbndr23]

Price is right. What ever you do get parts with a lifetime warranty. Did all my stuff from O'Reillys. I believe it was moog.

[texas bound]

O'Reilly does carry moog. That's what I used on my gf's truck.

[niceg3s]

Price is not that high. Had the same issue with a 2000 2500. I had a winch and front end replacement, which made it even worse. Broke a front shock and the other exploded. Bumpy rides will take its toll on a truck.

[ultralite09]

Depends on the rattling noise. My 04 z71 does this every 2 years or so. The grease in the steering column gets hot and piles at the bottom. Disconnect it and move it around to distribute the grease and no more rattling. I could be totally wrong but seems to work for me.

[freestylest22]

I did exactly what texas bound did. And a lift kit. The upper control arms aren't needed unless you have the torsion bars cranked up or aftermarket keys though. I also added Conginto pitman and idler arm braces. They help with premature failures on the pitman and idler arms and give the truck a more stable steering feel.

[kingranch]

There is a tsb and updated intermediate steering shaft
As for ball jts do yourself a favor and buy oem on the a arm and have em installed

U go aftermkt u will be back to square 1 in 10k Mikes
ask me how I know....

Good luck bra