Fixing Factory Mistakes - 1988-1998 GM 1500 trouble spots - Four Wheeler Magazine
The ’88-’98 GMC and Chevy 1500 trucks were a huge hit for GM and still wildly popular today. We know many of you are looking to purchase a new-to-you version of the first-gen IFS GM trucks (or simply trying to make your own last longer). That’s why we put together a list of the truck’s most notorious trouble spots and ways to upgrade and fix the problems. There will be future articles like this one that span everything from import, domestic, and military 4x4s. The Problem: Idler Arm. The tie-rod endlinks are small (more on that later), the idler and pitman arm swing set is problematic, and when you toss larger tires and a lift into the equation the wear is accelerated even more. One of the most common failing points is the bronze bushings that the idler arm uses to pivot. As the idler arm deteriorates so will the pitman arm. There is no magic replace-all cure for the first-gen IFS GM trucks, but Cognito Motorsports ( www. The system works by replacing the stock idler arm with a beefier version that uses roller bearings instead of the troublesome bushings. Depending on the year, a weld-in gusset is included as well to brace the idler arm. If the pitman arm is bad, a parts-store replacement will have to do. The Problem: Tie-rod Endlinks. Source: www.fourwheeler.com
