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'00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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janetlee64
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Feb 12, 2020, 12:46 PM
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'00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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Hi!I was told that my 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis has a loose idler arm and the pinion was mentioned as well. What was said regarding the pinion I don't actually know. It was just grouped in with the idler arm. What I need to know is how bad of a problem is this? Must it be repaired right away? Is it a very expensive repair job? My car is old but only has only approximately 76,000 miles on it. I do not know the engine size...I'm a typical knows-nothing-about-cars-kinda-girl...sorry! Any info though that you can give me would be very much appreciated! janet
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Hammer Time
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Feb 12, 2020, 12:59 PM
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Re: '00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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I think what they said was "Pitman" arm, not pinion.
It'd not dangerous. It just leads to excessive tire wear.
I would also get a second opinion because those 2 things are a favorite of tires stores for quick money and not always that serious.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 12, 2020, 1:30 PM
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Re: '00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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Ditto with second opinion - I'd want to see the motion they don't like actually? Pitman is the arm is fully greasable should never go really but could wreck your steering gearbox if some bone head tries to do that without careful use of a puller NOT a splitter first or you'll end up with a gearbox leaking AYOR never had to do one on any of these just for the count,
T
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janetlee64
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Feb 12, 2020, 9:38 PM
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Re: '00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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Thank you for the info! :)janet
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Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 13, 2020, 2:10 AM
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Re: '00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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Skip this - trying to find videos of how to check yourself! Will post below this mess below.... T
Janet: I removed one of last two posts this site goes "error" but it does show dup posts.
Lower mile FL car needing BOTH those I'd like to know what other front end (steering parts) have already been replaced on this if you know? These are away from most trauma but not exempt, nothing is so was thinking on what habit of driving would aggravate those?
1: Maybe forcing wheels turned when already at end or against a curb? IDK they aren't that common but in stock parts EASY not that hard for a FL car if so. There's also no alignment needed to do either but would always be suggested add another $75-$100 or so go there first not a place that sells easy parts to toss.
If really bad the steering would have free-play and car would wonder/wander left and right a bit more than any normal would come on slow not notice it so much or at all till about ready to be dangerous for "Pitman" arm if a total failure loss of all steering not the idler.
Go look for YouTube demos I couldn't take hidden pictures of one working while driving there must be one out there of OK and not OK what those two things do - almost any vehicle that uses that idea not some new idea rather a trust good old idea usually larger vehicles since OMG the 60s and before on some.
The #1 one thing you need is a real tech not bullsh*t like this. Of course it scares you and should.
What do YOU want to do? You could check these yourself with live phone and a helper to steer it just sitting there watch for the loose or free motion that shouldn't be there for yourself. Best even with engine off key to free wheel to turn all better if you could be under it but can't easily with weight on it so some other way.
It's too typical already said in one line by HT. Hit up PMs if you want I'll think of some way you can check this yourself that isn't hard at all just pay attention I could talk you thru it over a call maybe two while you set up what I want you to look right at!
Ticked off at this crap but aware it really could be a problem puts me/us in a pickle to verify this isn't happening so easily for you with folks in person IDK what that horror show for rip offs is for there's plenty to do without making stuff up,
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 13, 2020, 2:59 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 13, 2020, 3:03 AM
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Re: '00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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How to check an idler arm video. MOOG is an old name in front end parts.
Click here > https://www.bing.com/...E2C0&FORM=WRVORC <
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How to check a Pitman arm for wear. Another MOOG video less than a minute.
Click here > https://www.bing.com/...497DA480D89A3B898955 <
It's that freaking easy if you know what you are looking at is the only snag,
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 13, 2020, 3:09 AM)
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janetlee64
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Feb 13, 2020, 9:50 PM
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Re: '00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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Thanks Tom! I saw how to check the pittman and the idler arm, but I can't climb underneath the car to do it. I guess I'll just have to hope for the best where my old car is concerned for now. Sigh! But I so appreciate you and your kind help! You are a gem! I wish you the best always!Sincerely,janet
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Hammer Time
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Feb 14, 2020, 5:08 AM
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You still should get a second opinion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 14, 2020, 5:39 AM
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Or 3rd, 4th I don't trust what's going on here with this car. Janet! I really want someone to show you things are bad not just tell you is or isn't "taboo" to the trade.
You need to see it those videos together less than a minute is it. That or they are fine.
Let's end it because there's just no way to do this with cameras live, could be done not all (me either) have all that junk to do that so this ends. Good luck I bet you find NOTHING is wrong a good shop would check for free IMO!
Tom
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janetlee64
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Feb 14, 2020, 8:55 AM
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Re: '00 Mercury Grand Marquis idler arm and pinion question
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Thanks, Tom. I did watch the videos. I will try to see about getting a regular shop to check it. Thanks to you and Hammer Time for your advice!
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Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 14, 2020, 10:38 AM
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One more Janet. Both Hammer and myself were "Independent" owners or are still in various capacities. For me the dealers drove ME NUTS so left for an independent then off on my own still do anything broken except warranty work that would be free at a dealer send known customers to one I/we there liked best - better days for the trade IMO.
There was no need then to pull crap with a customer for more work there was a backlog all the time. Still not a chance would charge to look at this type problem for someone declare it safe or not or could wait already said here. THAT I CAN'T DO FROM HERE.
Any FOOL that pulls tricks or makes up work is a common thief no better than any robbery there's just no need for it. Where a place might be stuck is intermittent problems or ones unseen when witnessed how much do you charge? Not the full rate in my case I'm sometimes the one missing something obvious? NC for my problems.
That's what you need and I can't believe this is a couple issues for you with screwed up work leaving an unknown good of you to ask. Where I am a shop known for that bull would be out of biz in no time already said there's enough legit work.
Wish you luck it's past time to find a tech and know him/her by name is much more likely at an independent shop than a dealer can have some internal politics to mess that up for you the customer who should always be FIRST to make happy!
Tom
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janetlee64
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Feb 14, 2020, 8:43 PM
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Tom,There's a shop right in my neighborhood that I trust as much as one can in these days. I will call them next week and see if they can take a look at it for me. Thanks so much for all your help! You are a nice person for sure! :)janet
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janetlee64
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Mar 7, 2020, 10:05 PM
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Hi!I thought I'd let y'all know what's happened with the car! I called the shop that I said I felt I maybe could trust and guess what?! They closed up shop for good the same day that I called to make an appointment! They recommended another shop, so I went over to it and told them that I wanted a second opinion about the idler arm and pittman arm. Well sure enough they said that they both were loose and needed replacing. They gave me the estimate (which included the alignment) and it was $647 and some change! There was NO way I could afford that. So Mom and I decided to call the mobile mechanic this time. We had used them once before to do the rear brakes and all total they only charged $195 total! They gave me an estimate of around $200 ( of course, that didn't include an alignment). So they came the next morning and Danny told me that the pittman arm was fine, but the idler arm was very loose, so it needed replacing. Howard and Danny, the mechanics, did the work and as usual for them, they only charged for the actual cost of the part and then the labor of course. Howard was real kind and just out of the kindness of his heart, he gave us a $40 discount!! So in total the cost was $107.50!!! We were truly blessed and they will be the ones we call from now on! Anyway, I took the car back to Goodyear for the alignment, but they wouldn't do it because they said since I hadn't had the pittmen arm fixed, it would be a waste of money. So I went back to the other shop and it was the same story! So I took it to Pepboys and they aligned the car. I had not told them about what the other 2 shops said about the pittman arm and I would think that if there had been an issue with it they would've brought it up possibly. I bought the one year alignment and so that cost close to $120. So y'all can do the math and see just how much money we saved by going to the mobile mechanics! I know this all may be too much info, but I just had to tell my very good news to you all! Thank you again for all your help! I got a real education here! janetlee
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Tom Greenleaf
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Mar 8, 2020, 1:48 AM
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Oh my Janet, you've really been thru the grinder with this. It's just awful hard when you do end up with two opinions that differ? An alignment tech that says it can't be done because of a part IDK, perhaps the machine suggested that?
Mobile techs? Normally would suggest not go there but has worked out for you. The bucks on this is about tools, totally out of control costs to have a place for an alignment machine costs more than most homes plus training for that specific one is bolted to the concrete floor so NO not everyone has one around.
Do the $$ math too that spot alone, the machine costs if a customer or not so does a tech if there's work or not makes $120 blow in the breeze fast enough for them.
Motivated to "oversell" and or do items that really are NOT in need is just wrong.
You said had an opinion from a shop closing about the next day had to be a treat they wouldn't be there or ready if moved or done with all biz?
In short which doesn't happen with me you've done remarkably well to get thru this to now with all the assorted on line suggestions are NOT in person already a disadvantage and done for a cost that seems reasonable if you consider it all.
Of course YOU the customer is thinking of anything to with a vehicle I'll say "From right to left" meaning the $$ first and later just WHAT you get for that or a way to cut that down without compromising the job is tough. (edit to explain that: I mean like reading a menu at a restaurant where the price is listed to the right, then choose what you'll do from that)
Whole thing is tough all around, involves $$ whether you are busy or not up to out of biz because costs continue this trade and others is a nightmare all around.
Good luck that it's done with issues for a while and just worry about the other 10,000 things other than a dang car for now!
Tom
(edited out some usual typos for me and explain "right to left" cost thinking)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Mar 8, 2020, 5:57 AM)
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Hammer Time
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Mar 8, 2020, 5:40 AM
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One little piece of advice for the future.
When you go for a second opinion, don't tell them what the first shop said. It's too easy to just agree with them and take the job.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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janetlee64
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Mar 8, 2020, 11:04 PM
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Thanks as always, Tom. I know that there are such things as fair, honest shops. Unfortunately, knowing which ones really are isn't so easy for me. And I know that I must sound like the world's worst penny-pincher, but my circumstances make it impossible to not be. I noticed that you usually wouldn't recommend mobile mechanics...I know you've probably got some very good reasons for feeling that way! But like you said, it has worked out for me twice now. Without them, I just couldn't have afforded to have the idler arm done. I have a friend and an acquaintance that has used them and been satisfied as well. They treated me good when I really needed it. I am so thankful!
As I've said before, too bad that YOU don't live around here near! LOL! Of course, it would get old after a while with me calling to bug you about car problems! Hee hee! I actually have 2 different friends I know that have auto shops and they are trustworthy. However, they mostly work on import cars and ARE expensive! I would NOT take advantage of them by asking them to look at my car and then turn around and take it to someone else to have it fixed! It makes me squirm even thinking of such a thing! EEK! So truly, if you lived near, I really wouldn't be the sort to bug you unless I could pay you for your trouble! I only wish that I could do more than say "thank you" to you and HT for your sage advice! But I AM saying thank you a lot for everything, including listening to my rambling on! Hahaha!Have a great week!janetlee
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janetlee64
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Mar 8, 2020, 11:07 PM
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Thank you very much, HT! Very good advice to be sure! Have a great week!janet
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