H2 idler and pitman arms replacement

[GasGuzzler]

I just found a MOOG idler and pitman arms set for about $150 shipped. I will also look for the Cognito to go with it. If anyone has more advise, I am all ears.

[tomp]

The Cognito Pitman/Idler kit will make it drive so much better. One of the best things I have ever done to my H2!!!

[GasGuzzler]

Hi Tomp:

So you have this installed in your H2:
http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page12.html

What about this? Do you have this too?
http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page11.html


Does my H2 have 1 pitman and 1 idler arms? or do they come in L and R pairs? I am buying them on ebaY so I need to know how many pitman and idler arms I will need.

[tomp]

The H2 has one of each Idler and Pitman.

I have not tried the Idler assembly, but looks like a nice upgrade. However I think the Pitman/Idler kit is a must and will protect the idler arm that you have now or will have after you replace with new.

Replace with Moog and add the Pitman/Idler kit and you will be very happy. I wouldn't add the Idler upgrade kit unless you show Idler wear (which is highly unlikely) after adding the Moogs and Cognito Pitman/Idler kit.

If you have cranked the torsion bars, I would tell you to add the shock extension kit from Cognito. However their shock extensions were made for the 2500HD pickup. Most components on the H2 are the same as the 2500HD except for the shocks. The H2 shocks, including aftermarket shocks, have far less travel in them than the ones on the 2500HD. The H2 shocks have internal and external Bump stops which shortens travel. The Cognito Shock Extension kit raises up the bottom of the shock too high and causes you to ride on bottomed out front shocks that rest on the bump stops (makes for bad ride quality as you trade one evil for another).

I added the Cognito Shock Extensions, but figured out their shortcoming with them being too tall and spent 4 hours cutting them down to 1/2 taller than the stock ones (which is perfect) and rides so much better. Don't buy them unless you are willing to spend a night modifying them to make them work. Cognito is now aware of it as of the first of this week and are expecting an H2 in next week to address the issue I found. Expect them to release shock extensions just for the H2 or for them to stop selling shock extensions for the H2 all together.

[ROX]

Originally Posted by tomp

The Cognito Pitman/Idler kit will make it drive so much better. One of the best things I have ever done to my H2!!!

I'm installing mine in the morning. I just got my Cognito Steering Support kit a couple of days ago. I didn't order the Idler Arm Pivot, but that might be next.

I'm glad to hear good reviews on it.

GG, bottom line is that all the idler arms will wear out over time. If you got good mileage out of your first set, chances are a stock set will serve you fine.

You only need one each. It probably would be best to have the tire shop replace these for you, since you'll need an alignment afterward. They can confirm what the dealer told you and order the parts.

[dochummer]

Hey Rox, is your current rig the one you were having all the problems with....in regards to the steering?

[ROX]

Originally Posted by dochummer

Hey Rox, is your current rig the one you were having all the problems with....in regards to the steering?

Yes. I replaced the idler arm in Nov after the rubicon, then ran 5000 freeway miles, no offroad stuff, and had them replaced again 2 weeks ago. I had the torsion bars replaced along with the ripped idler/pitman arms, the Steering gears and one of the axel seals was leaking again. I'm sick of this car. I wasn't even pulling the trailer for those miles.

But! I'm still going to Moab!

[dochummer]

Originally Posted by H2 Rocks

Yes. I replaced the idler arm in Nov after the rubicon, then ran 5000 freeway miles, no offroad stuff, and had them replaced again 2 weeks ago. I had the torsion bars replaced along with the ripped idler/pitman arms, the Steering gears and one of the axel seals was leaking again. I'm sick of this car. I wasn't even pulling the trailer for those miles.

But! I'm still going to Moab!

Dang, and I'm frettin' about a small front diff leak....

[dochummer]

Anybody have the part number for the stock idler arm and pitman? I found an old post with the pitman, but the idler number didn't work on gmpartsdirect.com -

From GMPartsDirect:

Idler Arm Kit:

GM PART # 12471383 *
CATEGORY: All
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $162.63
OUR PRICE: $92.70
DESCRIPTION: ARM KIT


Pitman Arm Kit:

GM PART # 12479051
CATEGORY: All
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $111.07
OUR PRICE: $63.31
DESCRIPTION: ARM KIT

I think my current pitman and idler are find, so I may order the cognito's with the coarse threads....just want to check the price if I ever have to replace the stock pitman/idler...