Four problems related to steering idler arm have been reported for the 1999 GMC Jimmy. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My vehicle is a 1999 GMC Jimmy. It has 65000 miles and I am the original owner and primary driver. The front hubs/bearings have both been replaced in the last 9 months, one at 50,600 miles, and nowone at 65,000 miles. The problem was not fixed by replacing the hub/bearings units. I was told yesterday that both of the front lower ball joints and an idler arm need to be replaced in addition to the hub/bearing. The shop working on the vehicle indicated that this was not normal at 65,000 miles, and that the condition of the ball joints made the vehicle unsafe to drive. I called gm and got absolutely no support from the district service representative since all of my repairs were not done at a gm dealership. The reason I stopped going to gm dealerships was poor service, inflated prices and recommendations for work to be done that wasn't necessary.
Front upper ball joints breakage causing front wheel to come off and improper aligment-steering, battery problems, front passenger seat recliner handle breakage.
Vehicle was purchased in 02/01 with 32,195 miles. Within 7000 miles right side upper/lower ball joints and idler arm failed and were replaced. Approximately 2 months later, dealer had to replace the left upper/lower ball joints/ right lower ball joints, and the idler arm again due to being prematurely worn. Within an additional 11000 miles, dealer had to replace the lower ball joints on both the right and left sides and the idler arm again.
The front idle arm wore out at a low mileage. The dealer stated it was a common problem.