1995-2003 S10 & Blazer Front End Clunk Pop Fix!!! Read!!

[BlazerLT]

You need to install the dixc codec at www.divx.com

[chcknugget]

The spring washers did solve all of my low speed problems, but not all of my high speed problems. Today on the highway it was windy and I was going about 75. I could see that just the passenger side of my front hood was shaking near the front of the car. It didn't make any sounds until the wind gusted hard and then I heard a little rattling.

Are those black rubber screwy bumpers supposed to prevent the front of the hood from shaking? I plan on wrenching the hinge bolts again tomorrow. It's wierd that only one side is shaking.

[BlazerLT]

Hey relax on the overtorquing things.

Yes, unscrew those front bumper stop till the play out of the front is gone. That is what they are there for.

[chcknugget]

Yeah, I didn't mean to say "plan on wrenching," I mean to try the bumper thing first. I'm not an overtorquing kind of guy. I'll be on the highway again next weekend, so I'll let you know how it goes.

[BlazerLT]

The bumpers turn very easy and take the play completely out of the hood and should tighten it right up for you.

[curtratcliff]

Thanks a million--We have been looking for this problem for 2 years...Thought it was coming from under the front right corner of the dash...really bad on washboard roads...This is it right? Buying the washers tomorrow...thanks again..

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Guys,

I thought I found that the sway bar bushings were causing my front end passenger clunk and popping but guess what, they weren't.

Before I drop the bomb and show what I learned through scouring the internet, I have replaced the following:

Lower Ball Joints
Passenger Upper Ball Joint
Sway Bar End Links (Had to be replaced Anyways)
Sway Bar Bushings
Front and Rear Shocks

Total bill: ~US$600

After all of that, it wasn't even the problem. There is a service bulletin that talk about this in this upcoming video.

Want to know what the clunk is? Here you go!



Remove this 7mm screw holding the small outer cowl inserts over the hinges. Close the hood.

Remove the covers carefully and don't break the clips.

The hingles will be attached and they are a 13mm nut and bolt.

http://www.tweaknews.net/decarbon/clunkfix.AVI <----Right Click, Save As

That's right, a $2 dollar part fixes this problem that has pissed so many Blazer owners off.

This is the service bulletin that came out in 2001 I believe. Covers all S10 and Blazers.

http://www.zr2.com/frequently_asked_.../clunking.html

Scroll Down to Rattle.

There you have it, I temporarily laid a couple bunched up shop towels under the flat part in the video and went for a drive on the roughest washboard road within 50 miles and never heard a thing.

Hope you don't go through what I went through.

[chcknugget]

Yes, it was an annoying rattle that eminated from under the dash. This should almost definetely fix your problem!

[curtratcliff]

Originally Posted by chcknugget

Yes, it was an annoying rattle that eminated from under the dash. This should almost definetely fix your problem!

Thanks--We have spent more on this car than it is worth...hub bearings, ball joints, exc, exc,,.........no thanks to the dealer either. Grossinger GMC chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[BlazerLT]

Glad this helped you.

[wolfox]

I remained silent on posting results until after week of having this "fix" in place. It worked well on mine. I dropped $1.70 at the local Ace Hardware to get the spring washers. However, mine did NOT have plain old spring washers, but locking conical washers. Same diff, really, but they have a "star washer" pattern cut on the ouside edge. I would have cost half as much, but I bought 4 washers so I could have replacements on hand, or hand them off to the invariable friend that will have the same problem.

"Check yer hinge bolts dude - and put these in..."

The small end of the "cone" should face the hinge, the star shaped/broader cone side should cup around the head of the bolt itself. This will take the clearance right out and give you a solid, silent ride. Mine sounded like a bad shock or worn front end parts with a rattle coming from the driver's side dash, and a pronounced and very loud "clunk" on the passenger side that you could feel from your feet when they were flat on the floorboards.

It would seem that no amount of tightening would help this, but those bastardized locking cone washers did the trick for me. Again, mucho thank-you's on a sleuthing job well-done!

[BlazerLT]

You are so welcome!

Amazing how such a small thing can solve such a big problem that has owners running to their local suspension shops and mechanics to have unneeded replacements done.

[curtratcliff]

Originally Posted by Alexxn 00 Si

Just got mine...I'll let everyone know when they are installed....

just did hood today, thanks again!!!! Such an easy fix...the dealer sold the washer 12383460 in a pack of two for 2.39 wholesale (3.19 was the retail price)...awesome...you could almost see how pissed they were for not being able to keep charging (and I keep paying) for this noise that they 'couldn't find'...

BTW on the plastic covers that go over the hood hinges---I had to order the screw holders that seat down into the body because i trashed them by using a channel lock when they would not unscrew. Plastic GM crap. However, no more rattle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BlazerLT]

Awesome , another happy Blazer Owner.

[cablep]

I have a 96 Jimmy. I have clunk/knock type of noise that is pretty much exclusive to turning. I can feel it in the floorboard when it happens. Is this the same noise you are refering to with this fix?

[BlazerLT]

More than likely.