Suspension recalls

[2000blazerls]

I have a 2000 Blazer (obviously!) and was reading up on safety recalls and defects. I keep finding info on front suspension parts being defective. Do I just need to take it to the dealer and have them check to see if it needs to be replaced if it is defective? If it is, do I have to pay or does the dealer cover it since the NHTSB says it is defective?

[BlazerLT]

Depends on the listing, some are mandatory and some are up to the dealer to decide.

If there is nothing wrong with your truck, don't go looking for something to fix.

Also, grease all 11 grease fittings on your front end.

[slreno1217]

dude, blazerlt is totaly WRONG! if it is a suspension recall get it done asap. those recalls are there for a reason. suspension will be a saftey recall. get it done.

take it to the dealer and they will check your vin number against the recalls and if its yours there will be no charge at all . if there is a charge they will tell you before any work is done.

a recall is not looking for something wrong . it is something wrong that needs to be fixed.

[BlazerLT]

No, I am not WRONG!

Some are recalls that they will cover completely and some are recalls that they will PARTIALLY cover.

Don't discredit my advice noob.

[2000blazerls]

Well I will take it up when I get the oil changed (free oil changes with the car purchase) andhave them check it and replace whatever is free if it is anything major.

Now I just have to figure out why my radiator looks like someone poured mud into it. I have that extended life stuff and my reservior is always at a good level but my truck smelled like it was over heating, though the temp gauge showed it as normal. I opened the radiator any it was almost dry and the cap had a muddy like substance all over it and was just filhty. So need to flush it this weekend and take care of that first. Kind of odd thouhg. first time I have had a car do that.


Also, about the eleven fittings. I am in no way a mechanic, is there a diagram/picture/faq showing how to do this? I am sure it is something simple but I have just never done it before.

[BlazerLT]

You need to go get your cooling system and heater core flushed and filled ASAP.

Then you need to install a new non AC delco rad cap. The stock cap is flawed and is causing the mud.

The grease fittings are on all of the ball joints, both ends of both tie rods, and the idler and pitman arm.

Also check for grease fittings on your U-Joints.

[blazee]

Go with a "Stant" brand rad cap

[GMMerlin]

Without knowing your full VIN number, I cannot check if there are any open recalls on your vehicle...take it to a GM dealer and they can tell you for sure.
At a general glace, I did not see anything for suspension, but I did find one on brakes.......may not apply to your specific vehicle.
There are 4 or 5 classifications of recalls and for the most part, recalls are done at no expense to the consumer....there are some special policies that are considered under recall rules that may offer limited reimbursement for repairs

[GMMerlin]

Oh yea..if you really want to get technical..they are not recalls, they are campaigns

[2000blazerls]

ahh, well I dont know how to flush a heater core or anything. I just know how to do the radiator. I found a place in town that does the whole system for $70 including refilling with dex cool stuff. Might just carry it up there and have them do it right. Will look for the cap at the local parts places. Will the thermostat need to be replaced?

[blazee]

You can do it yourself for about $30, it's not very hard either.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by 2000blazerls

ahh, well I dont know how to flush a heater core or anything. I just know how to do the radiator. I found a place in town that does the whole system for $70 including refilling with dex cool stuff. Might just carry it up there and have them do it right. Will look for the cap at the local parts places. Will the thermostat need to be replaced?

Yea, that will be money well spent.

They take care of the mess and will really flush it better than anyone can do it at home.

As for the thermostat, if you are having no problems with it now, I can't see you having any problems after.

But do get the new rad cap installed and remember, NOT AC Delco brand and never a falesafe.

[2000blazerls]

Well guys, I appreciate the help. Seems like i have some work to do this weekend!

[wolfox]

Ahhh, the beauty of a Blazer -

It means you never have nothing to do on the weekends! Mine keeps me turning wrenches on the weekend too - not that I mind. It is a contest of wills, and thus far, mine is stronger. *Muahahaha!*

[blazee]

I'm gonna have to disagree with BlazerLT.

You said it was a local shop, the small local shops that I have seen don't do anything that you can't do better at home. The Chevy dealer on the other hand will do a far better job than you can do, but this will probably come with a hefty price tag.

If the choice is between a local shop and doing it yourself...do it yourself.

Price list:

2 gallons of DEXCOOL...........$20.00
Prestone Super Rad Cleaner...$ 6.00 (not "flush" get the "Cleaner")
Prestone Flush N Fill Kit.........$ 4.00
Knowing you did it right
and saved 40 bucks.............priceless

The Flush N Fill kit is essential to doing a good flush yourself, it hooks into your heater hose and let's you connect a water hose to your system and push out any trash.

Follow the directions on the packages in this order:
Use the Flush N Fill first, then the Super Cleaner, then use the Flush N Fill again, Drain the system, Then fill with a 50/50 mix....you will have about 1/2 a gallon of DEXCOOL left over fill the jug with water, that will give you 50/50 mix to take with you, in case you need to add some as the air is worked out of the system.

Make sure you replace the radiator cap (perferably with a "Stant") because this is probably what caused all your problems in the first place.