I need work done on my 99 Chevy Silverado 1500...?

[KileyHD]

I have a 99 Chevy Silverado 1500 V8 5.3L 4x4, new body style
I recently took it to the Chevy dealership and they told me I need pitman arms and idlers?

What exactly are those? How important are they? And is this a safety issue, I'm going to have the work done at Les Schwab, but I just want to wait until after Christmas

Thanks
Best answer gets 10 pts!
Okay
I reviewed the work order that Peterson Chevrolet gave me

It says
Pitman arm and idler arm very loose

So I need a pitman arm and idler arm

Is this a safety issue?
I'm starting to think this is crap, because the parts are like $50 and $70 and the dealer wants $700

 

[tronary]

A pitman arm should not wear out. I would suggest you get away from the rip off dealers and go to a tire shop that does alignment and get an opinion.

http://www.autozone.com/N,14600199//shopping/partTypeResultSet.htm

http://www.autozone.com/N,14600193//shopping/partTypeResultSet.htm

 

[chevy owner]

ok despite what some may tell you yes both of these parts are important and can be a safty issue. the pitman arm is what attatess to the steering gear box therefor when you turn the steering wheel the gear box moves the pitman left or right. on the end of the arm is a ball type joint that joint holds up the entire end of the center link witch is the bar that crosses from left to right to connect the to tires in the front. so if that joint breaks you physicly disconnect the steering wheel from your front tires. and the pitman arm is a waerable part and do commonly wearout espessally if they are not greesed regularly. the idler arm is bolted to the frame on the passenger side and holds up the opposite end of the centerlink. although the idler has 2 pivotes 1 ball type at the end and an internal bearing to allow the arm to pivote on the mounting base. eather can wearout although the internal bearing is generally more prone to fail first. there is NO adjustment on eather part and if they are loose they will need to be replaced. i'm not sure of the parts cost on the 1/2 ton but i just changed mine on my 3/4 ton and the parts cost about 100 each deppending on where you go. i would have to say that 700 is way to much to change those. i would say that at the absolute max it could be like 350 and that's at 85 per hr. labor and an hr. each to change and trust me it only takes about 1/2 each to do. like i said i just did my own. my advice is go to an independant shop that does free estimats (most do) and have them confime or deny the problem and make sure they physicly show you the play so you can see. then use your best decion on if the price sounds reasonable. good luck.

 

[Chev M]

idler arms can be tighted up the pitman arm cant be tightened your better off going to a small shop and have them install dealers do mark up items ive seen 100%