89 Blazer Front end feels funny

[naupow]

I have a 89 Blazer that every time you go around a curve the front end feels loose. It has over sized tires that came on it when I got it. When you let go of the stearing wheel at very slow speed it seem to be in aligment. Cound the upper and lower ball joints be going bad, I dont notice the front sagging in at all. Any help would be nice.

[JA no Y]

Its relativly easy to check to see if the ball joints are going bad. Just jack the tire off the ground. Make sure the vehicle is secure (preferably on a jack stand) and use sturdy bar and place one end under the tire. Try and wiggle the tire up and down. Don't try to lift hard enuff to shake the blazer. Just enuff to see if there is any play in the tire. The tire should be stiff but if there is any play, time for the ball joints to be replaced. Just repeat for the other side of the vehicle to test all 4 ball joints.

[spasticone]

I'm pretty sure you need to jack up the lower a-arm on the torsion bar front ends while checking for ball joint play. could be an idler arm problem also. It would stay straight at low speeds and the pitman would stay at the right place, but the idler side can kinda wander a bit. Just some thoughts. Get under that pig and check stuff out. careful not to rip boots.

[naupow]

Ja,
I will give this a try. My other question is what would cause the front end to be a bit loose.

Originally Posted by JA no Y

Its relativly easy to check to see if the ball joints are going bad. Just jack the tire off the ground. Make sure the vehicle is secure (preferably on a jack stand) and use sturdy bar and place one end under the tire. Try and wiggle the tire up and down. Don't try to lift hard enuff to shake the blazer. Just enuff to see if there is any play in the tire. The tire should be stiff but if there is any play, time for the ball joints to be replaced. Just repeat for the other side of the vehicle to test all 4 ball joints.

[Scottman72]

If I had a nickel for every blazer lower ball joint I have replaced ... Id have 5 or 6 bucks! seriously , check those ball joints. While you have the front tires off the ground ( jacked up under the contol arms to unload the ball joints ) also check the upper a arm bushings for any movement. Also look at the idler arm closely for any up and down movement while a helper shakes the right front wheel back and forth at the 9 and 3oclock positions. Check steering box play with the tires on the ground, turn the steering wheel back and forth while wathching the front tire, see how far you have to turn the steering wheel before the tire moves. Any more than about an inch and your steering box is pretty worn. Hope some of this helps, good luck!