H2 idler and pitman arms replacement

[GasGuzzler]

My right F tire is wearing out on the outside and my local dealer told me I have to replace the idler and pitman arms for about $750 (parts+labor). The mechanic told me (off record) that I should get the Fabtech parts instead since they are much stronger. After checking out the Fabtech site, I discovered that their pitman/idler system is being recalled.

What gives? Should I get the $350 factory parts or should I go with another aftermarket pitman/idler like the Cognito system?

The more research I do, the more confused I get...... Many of the posts here are calling for the Fabtech but what about the recall?

Any advise is appreciated.

[Fastest H-Town Realtor]

MOOG+Front end shop=$250

[tomp]

Go back to stock and add Cognito Pitman and Idler kit to double capture the arms! Trust me on this = big difference in steering!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Moogs are btter than stock but will still wear out. You will still want the Cognito kit and it works with stock or Moog. If you can get Moog cheaper than stock, then go that route and add the Cognito on top of that. Cognito kit comes with both course and fine thread nuts to work with either route you choose.

[GasGuzzler]

If I were to go back to stock, will a kit for a Chevy or GMC 1500 2500 work?

[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...

[GasGuzzler]

Finally got my Idler and Pitman arms replaced and the cognito brackets installed. Here's what I paid (approximate prices including tax):

$140 Idler and Pitman arms from Pepboys
$240 Cognito kit from Nor-Cal Trucks in Livermore, CA
$170 Installation by a neighborhood mechanic
------
$550 sub total

$100 alignment
------
$650 Grand Total

I think I did OK considering the H2 dealership wants $800 for the job minus the Cognito kit. My steering now feels precise and quiet -- NIIICE.

[ROX]

Mine is better too. I hope it stays that way. I'll give it a good workout when I leave for Arizona in a couple of weeks.

[Tah2oe]

Dude, where in Pleasanton did you have the work done. I need to have the same thing done before Moab. Let me know if you don't mind.

[dochummer]

I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to wait until the stock pitman/idler wear out before I get the cognito and new arms, or just throw the cognito on....
I've got 54k miles on it, and so far they seem to be ok...

[GasGuzzler]

My mechanic is in Milpitas, CA. His shop is called Fil-AM. Owner and head mechanic is Clifford. I have been using him for the last 15 years for different things. He is pretty good. I think his address is 135 Minnis Circle.

Best, John

[lasvegash2]

what are indications that these parts are going bad. i have the fabtech lift and tie rod ends along with 38.5" tires. i have about 15k miles on them right now.

[dochummer]

Originally Posted by GasGuzzler

Finally got my Idler and Pitman arms replaced and the cognito brackets installed. Here's what I paid (approximate prices including tax):

$140 Idler and Pitman arms from Pepboys
$240 Cognito kit from Nor-Cal Trucks in Livermore, CA
$170 Installation by a neighborhood mechanic
------
$550 sub total

$100 alignment
------
$650 Grand Total

I think I did OK considering the H2 dealership wants $800 for the job minus the Cognito kit. My steering now feels precise and quiet -- NIIICE.

That's a great price on the Pitman/Idler arms. Did they price match or was that what they were selling at? I just found them online at rockauto.com for $144.81 shipped (Moog K6535/K6654). Perfection tire quoted me $324 just for the parts...