Constant Front End Problem Fix

[BlazerLT]

This is going to be a no brainer to some but to most, this is what is causing the constant front end ball joint failures and front end problems on s-series trucks.

GREASE YOUR FRONT END!

There are 11 grease fitting zercs to lube EVERY oil change. Do NOT think that your local oil shop is lubing them because I can guarantee you they are not.

Buy a grease gun and a tube of grease. Very cheap.

Both Upper Ball Joints
Both Lower Ball Joints
Both Inner Tie Rod Ends
Both Outer Tie Rod Ends
Idler Arms and Pitman Arms.

No one seems to EVER grease their front ends of their trucks. They come and complain about the constant replacements on s-series trucks and SUVs but they never get off of their asses and grease their truck ever.

Lube shops might get some of them but they usually will not because it takes too much time. I to was a victim of this and they said they were lubing it but low and behold, I crawled under the truck and most of them were dry as a bone.

[OverBoardProject]

Good Advice BlazerLT.

If you find any grease nipples at a hard to get to angel you can buy replacement grease nipples with a 45 degree angle, or a 90 degree angel for a very reasonable price.... making it much easier to grease next time, and less likely to miss.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by OverBoardProject

Good Advice BlazerLT.

If you find any grease nipples at a hard to get to angel you can buy replacement grease nipples with a 45 degree angle, or a 90 degree angel for a very reasonable price.... making it much easier to grease next time, and less likely to miss.

Yea, I am just getting slightly sick of people bitching about their front ends wearing out and if you ask if they greased them, they are dumbfounded and didn't think that had to do it.

[OverBoardProject]

If you really want to see people bitch tell them to fix something like their tie rods themselves. they often look at you saying that they don't have time... like we do to fix something that can be prevented so easily, and cheaply

[BlazerLT]

Yip, greasing the front end will have it last twice as long or even more.

[OverBoardProject]

I just wanted to add, pop the hood and look for grease fittings located under the engine. There are 2 in my 85 blazer that I would have never known where there if I didn't have the engine out.

[BlazerLT]

Yip, they are the pitman and idler arms.

[Gratiotguy]

Just a little periodic maintenance does go a long way. I lubed the front end of my '99 Sonoma that I recently purchased with 40k miles. It has a low dull thud/poping noise coming from the front end when I come to a stop. After a good greasing (which it sorely needed), the sound has almost quit completely.

Anyone have any ideas on wheat the part of the front end the noise was coming from? Ball joint? Tie rod end?

Thanks!

[BlazerLT]

I would post a new thread on it.

[xtrememeasures10]

Ive worked at Valvoline for over a year. Im a manager now. but i can tell you. If you go 2 a quick lube and expect them to lube your fittings every single time, especially when they are packed, well its just not happening. I see a lot of suspension problems in chevys because ppl dont even know they are there. o well cant help ignorance.

[OverBoardProject]

I know what you mean xtrememeasures10 you just can't expect any one to know the location of every grease nipple in every automobile. And a 10 min oil change doesn't give them enough time to look for all of them.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by OverBoardProject

I know what you mean xtrememeasures10 you just can't expect any one to know the location of every grease nipple in every automobile. And a 10 min oil change doesn't give them enough time to look for all of them.

Yes it does, stay for 15 minutes and tell them to do it. It is their job.

I don't go to them anymore seeing they said they were doing it and looked under the truck and the nipples for the upper ball joints were covered solid with 3 year old grease.

Went back to the Lube place and ripped the manager a new asshole and was threatening to call the better business bureau and he handed me 5 tickets for free oil changes.

I ripped them up in his face and walked out. Fuckin asshole cost me 600 in front end work due to his employee laziness.

[OverBoardProject]

Ouch!!!
They should really stand behind their work, and be held responsible for all the damage caused by their shaby work.

Besides the once that I've been to 1 (taking in a bosses truck) it was over 40 bux, and that was 12 years ago. I hate to imagine what they charge now.

[movin2stereo]

Grease will help,but the design of the balljoints in the S10 are a joke.The ball(of the balljoint)rides on 3 fingers in the socket part of the joint.Not a good design.Sucks for us.