front end/brakes

anyone know offhand how much it costs [roughly] for a front-end alignment with labor? so many places differ in price, i wonder if anyone knew about what a decent one is so i dont get ripped off.

also, has anyone ever changed the drum brakes on their chevy blazer before? i can do discs, but never drum, so i wonder if it is something i could do or would be safer/better off having them professionally done.

thanks

[97 blazerlt 151 k mls.]

$50-$100 for a computerized alignment.

NTB charges 60 bux for a laster alignment, with a 6 mos warranty.

also, has anyone ever changed the drum brakes on their chevy blazer before? i can do discs, but never drum, so i wonder if it is something i could do or would be safer/better off having them professionally done.

thanks

[97 blazerlt 151 k mls.]


Changing the drum breaks isn't all that hard. Just remembering where everything goes is the pain. If it helps, I use to jack both sides of the vehicle and set on stands. That way I could remove both wheels and hubs. If I ran into a problem remembering how it all went back on, I'd just go to the other side and look at where everything went.

well, i went in for the alignment and when i looked with the mechanic underneath the front end there is a mess so to speak. all my ball joints are shot [usually are greased every couple of months] and i need new idler arm and pitman arm. plus the alignment, and with the cost of labor bill came to about $500.

Ball joint 29.95 (4)
pitman arm 33.29
idler arm 51.05
Estimate total 537.09

Labor [ 321.00]

Man....$321 labor. Too bad I can't charge myself for fixing all the stuff on my blazers. I could retire!!

well, the front end is fixed after a couple of hours. this started happening about a couple of days ago now and i thought maybe this visit to the shop would take care of that. there is still a squeaking on the drivers side but not while i am braking to insist there is a brake job in the near future.. although i am going to install new discs next week.. so its hard to hell where the squeak is coming from. this is a different one than was under the hood last week. what could this be, rotors? leaf springs? it even makes this squeaking while idling...

Those prices are pretty cheap for the parts.

What name brand did they use?

Those prices are pretty cheap for the parts.

What name brand did they use?

:eek7: i dont remember. he said the best there was and i got a lifetime guarantee on everything. not to be a pain, but any suggestions on those squeaks? i guess its highly possible it might be the wheel bearing, but i cannot tell where the sound is coming directly from. guess if one thing goes, it all goes right?

Brake pads need changing.

Brake pads need changing.

okay. they even squeak when im not braking.

okay. they even squeak when im not braking.

CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS!

Listen please, the indicators on the pads squeal when there are NO brakes applied and will go away when they are applied.

Change the pads and maybe replace the rotors.

CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS!

Listen please, the indicators on the pads squeal when there are NO brakes applied and will go away when they are applied.

Change the pads and maybe replace the rotors.

alright alright ... i wasnt aware until today that there was a sensor to cause the squealing when the brakes are not applied. i bought the pads today for $39 and am putting them on most likely tomorrow. thanks blazerlt

If your squealers are going off, that means that your rotors are getting cut. They will either have to be turned or replaced.

If your squealers are going off, that means that your rotors are getting cut. They will either have to be turned or replaced.

Not necessarily if you catch it when is starts.

The indicators are very light and don't gouge the rotor in their first stages.

Not necessarily if you catch it when is starts.

The indicators are very light and don't gouge the rotor in their first stages.

yeah, i checked the rotors and didnt feel any deep gouges or anything. i'm doing the pads tomorrow [saturday] so hopefully if i have only heard those squealers for like 3 days now that i should be alright.

Yea, you should be fine.

I hope you will be using a repair manual to do this and you aren't winging it.

Yea, you should be fine.

I hope you will be using a repair manual to do this and you aren't winging it.

yeah, i have a haynes repair manual. thanks for looking out for me though!

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