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

[BlazerLT]

just make sure the narrower portion of the washer points to the threads.

[benwa]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Wow, this is ridiculous that it took me this long to find it.

It is crazy the amount of research and money and testing I have put into this for it to be something not even related.

BTW, I put the shop towels in the prop up the hinge and took it for a drive and not a peep came out of it.

Was one of the most satisfying drives in many recent years.

BLT, is this the pop sound that comes sometimes from turning? Mine sounds like something in the front end. I had someone look at it and he said the ball joints and everything else looked fine.

[benwa]

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.

Can't get the video! Just has the guy talking. No Picture!!

[BlazerLT]

download the Divx codec

www.divx.com

And yes, you need to check if yours is loose.

[Alexxn 00 Si]

Just did mine....my bolts had a shoulder just under the head that the washer fit nice and snugly against....I haven't driven it yet (going to takle the fuel filter now) but it didn't sseem to have any slop and the shoulder of the bolt fit nice and nug in the hinge hole even before I put in the new washer....we'll see soon !

[BlazerLT]

You check for slop before you put the washers on.

did you do that?

[Alexxn 00 Si]

Actually yes I did and everything seemed nice and tight...oh well it was only a few bucks for the washers and 10 minutes to do it - great tip though !

[chcknugget]

My hood didn't really seem loose either, but when it went over bumps it would rattle bad. How did the fuel filter go? That's my next project...

[BlazerLT]

PAin in the ass.

[Fortiss]

I think its GM's way of making a little bit more cash in their colossal wallet!

[BlazerLT]

hehe, or a way for dealerships to screw a couple extra dollars out of the consumer.

[NizZ8]

Woot.. another one added to the list!.. thnx OP!

[Alexxn 00 Si]

Fuel filter is the worst....especially getting it to slide out of that damn plastic ring...

[BlazerLT]

Yea, that does suck.

I had to bash the old one with a screwdriver and hammer to get it out.

Best thing to do after is grease the ring so that the filter slides on easily and also put antiseize on the filter fitting where ever you screw a fitting into the filter on some years.

[DeadPaisly]

Great Thread thanks,
I think this might be what I am hearing. I thought it might be my door hinge. It sems to disappear when I open the door. Maybe it is just drowned out by the road noise.
Anyways I can't view your video clip to work on 2 computers. I only get audio. I took the cowl off and I see the the bolt you speak of but I can't get it to rattle like you did. Want to make sure I am looking at the right place. Can you repost the video or post stills?

Thank you for any help.

Bill
[email protected]



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.[/quote]