2002 Blazer w/ 25K miles with problems

I just had both upper and lower ball joints, sway bar linkage and transfer case module replaced in my 2002 Blazer with 25K miles under warranty. I was hearing a clunking noise when the steering wheel was turned to the left. They said it was the ball joints and sway bar linkage was worn. The vehicle would also fail to go into 4WD. This was caused by the transfer case module being defective. How can a vehicle with so little miles have a problem like this? I plan on getting an exteneded warranty. The foreman said that Blazers are "notorious for ball joint failures". He suggested that I make sure that whom ever changes the oil also lubes the grease fitting each time the oil is changed.

Lack of greasing the balljoints cause the failures and is not the fault of the truck.

There are 11 grease zerks to grease every 4000-5000 miles.

I suggest you buy a grease gun and grease them yourself.

Do NOT trust the oil monkeys to do it.

Agreed! I am not sure about the fact that Blazers are nortorious..but I know that in my 99, I had to install zerks with 90-degree bends to make it easier to grease.

Also the "monkeys" may not get to the upper ball joints because they are hard to get to with the tires on. One way is when you rotate your own tires by side, grease the zerks as then they are easy with the front wheel off....

Also remember the idler arm...mine is buried by the splash pan...which is easier to remove for greasing than dinkin around trying get to it ...

I am too old so I make it easy...it takes extra time, but what the hell, a beer, the radio playin tunes, piece of mindb knowing that you are doing it right...what more can you ask for...

You don't have to remove the tires to get at the upper ball joints.

Get under your truck.

Getting to them is easy.

I use two mini grease guns. One has a hose with a straight end, and the other has a 90 degree end for getting in the tight places like the idler arm (skids plates get in the way) and the inner tie rod ends (driveaxles get in the way)