What did you do with your car/truck or shop today?
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True Car Nut
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,638
Likes: 6
I don't know on your year, but earlier years of Chevy/GMC trucks are known for ball joints wearing prematurely, often because the joint did not get greased, a result of quickie lube joints and complacency with sealed ball joints (everyone thinking the joint doesn't need grease, many GM trucks use non sealed ball joints).
Seems like having an intercooler is a constant battle. First I had to replace one of the hoses since it worked it'* way down onto a pulley and sprung a leak, then I had to tear the front end apart to figure out why my flow detector wasn't working. Turns out the spring that pushes it back up was gummed up (probably from sitting for two years..) so I had to clean it up. Then I rewired my switches and warning lights inside the cabin.
Now I'm going to go drop the trans pan and change the filter, and hope the past 15,000 miles haven't been too brutal on it. The good news is it'* finally ready for me to start driving. Took it out last night to check the tune, everything looked good. Even with Premium I should be saving $160 a month in gas.
Retired Administrator
True Car Nut
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 194
From: Williamsport, PA
"Well what the hell what kind of idiot doesn't grease that.... I wish they wouldn't make things so they will break on purpose..."
It is actually a big problem. Even some dealers overlook greasing ALL the zerk fittings on the front of GM trucks. A S10/ Blazer has 13 zerk fittings on the front end, and it takes some work to get to all of them. To grease the ball joints, the tires typically have to be removed. Nobody wants to do that. I have checked the fittings after a oil and lube at the dealer and find they typically select not to lube all the fittings.
On the S10 and Blazer, they have a cover under the front end. I always remove that when greasing our Bravada and S10, makes getting to many of the zerks much easier.
Finally, the grease made today is super good (if you buy the good stuff). I often think that if someone uses the good stuff twice per year, they will eliminate most front end problems on GM trucks.
It is actually a big problem. Even some dealers overlook greasing ALL the zerk fittings on the front of GM trucks. A S10/ Blazer has 13 zerk fittings on the front end, and it takes some work to get to all of them. To grease the ball joints, the tires typically have to be removed. Nobody wants to do that. I have checked the fittings after a oil and lube at the dealer and find they typically select not to lube all the fittings.
On the S10 and Blazer, they have a cover under the front end. I always remove that when greasing our Bravada and S10, makes getting to many of the zerks much easier.
Finally, the grease made today is super good (if you buy the good stuff). I often think that if someone uses the good stuff twice per year, they will eliminate most front end problems on GM trucks.
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 4
From: Wyoming
cleaned garage, picked up a new 90 elbow from GM and o rings from napa to replace the ones that lasted 4 months. Hope this fixes the leak,small but a leak. now to find the time.
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 22
From: Michigan
