I just bought a 1999 Blazer and when I turn the steering all the way left and just as I start to turn back I hear a big clunk.


Anyone have any idea what would cause this?

Thanks in advance.

Tony

Here is a pic of what I found
The spots circled in red are wore...

http://home.comcast.net/~spagman/pic2.JPG

those are your turning stops you can lube them if you want but you torsion bar toward the rear is probably hitting and needs a shim

He is saying the clunk is only when he starts turning back which is an indicator of the 10 grease fittings needing to be lubed.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=344505

A little more info...


If I am sitting parked I can not recreate the clunking sound.

It ALWAYS does it when I'm turning hard left into a parking spot at my mother's house... Just as I tap the brakes and start to turn back to the right... that's when I hear the sound.
The parking spot goes slightly down and to the right.

Not sure if any of this matters or not.

check to see if your caliper bolts are there and tight

#1 area is the lower ball joints so grease those - zerks may be a pain to access but do them and all others under there then see if still present. All 4wd Blazer owners have heard and felt these at some time and we all lube them regularly. You can see the bolts holding the lowers in so they were replaced at some point (rivets on originals).

I got the same problem when I go over a bump with the wheel turned, but I can feel it as well. I cant figure out what it is and no time to have anyone else mess with it either.

I took it to the garage today and they said the only thing they found that is worn out is idler arm.

It had a lot of movement so it needs changed.
I am just not sure if that would cause that noise or not.


Tony

Yip, probably would.

Also again, grease your front end. 10-11 grease fittings to plump up with grease.

When greasing your ball joints make sure the weigh is off the wheels.

:grinyes: So far no more noise.

Looks like replacing the idler arm and lube job solved the problem.
BTW
The steering almost feels like new now. :)

Thanks again everyone for your help!

tony

:grinyes: So far no more noise.

Looks like replacing the idler arm and lube job solved the problem.
BTW
The steering almost feels like new now. :)

Thanks again everyone for your help!

tony

Don't trust the shop to get to all the fittings, they only do what they can see.

Get a grease gun and do it yourself or you will see how expensive assuming they did it right will be.

Don't trust the shop to get to all the fittings, they only do what they can see.

Get a grease gun and do it yourself or you will see how expensive assuming they did it right will be.


Good tip man.

I do have one question though...

How do you get to the grease fitting on the lower ball joint?

Good tip man.

I do have one question though...

How do you get to the grease fitting on the lower ball joint?

Why, it should be a direct fit. Is there something blocking it?

Flex hose extension that snaps on the end but some of the 90 deg zerks are slightly cocked off center so you may have to use a small open end and rotate it to align for a good fit. Always a pain but always worth it - seems like the lower was an after thought on the 4wds - the 2wds are much larger due to no CV axle.

turn the wheel there is an access hole on the con trol arm to get to the zerk.

Flex hose extension that snaps on the end but some of the 90 deg zerks are slightly cocked off center so you may have to use a small open end and rotate it to align for a good fit. Always a pain but always worth it - seems like the lower was an after thought on the 4wds - the 2wds are much larger due to no CV axle.

Right on Muddog. I have a bad zerk that is plugged solid. I tried to replace it but the replacement was a different thread size. Sooooo, when I'm greasing the joints, I take a good zerk off of the other side (after I greased it, of course) and swap it with the bad one, and then grease that second joint. The next time I do a grease job, I swap it back. One of these days I gotta get a zerk from the Dealership, but this works in a pinch. Never let your joints/fittings go without grease, and as you can see here, a plugged zerk is no excuse. Blazee or BLT please post the thread showing the 11 grease joints again, it is too good. :2cents:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=344505

You can also change the zirks to angle fittings, they come in 90 and 45 degree. I just did this on my inner and outer tie rod ends and it makes greasing them much easier. ( mine were 1/4" thread.)

turn the wheel there is an access hole on the con trol arm to get to the zerk.

Thanks man

Tony