Gen. Maint. Questions on a 2000 blazer 2wd

[Flashbac29]

I recently purchased a 2000 blazer ls 4door 2wheel drive with 38,000 miles. I've heard some mention in this forum concerning repacking wheel bearings,,, but this mostly concerns the 4wd models. Is this something I should concern myself with on my 2wd?

I've already done some maint. items such as tranny flush, air filter replacement, rad. cap replacement, greased front end, replaced serpentine belt.

Are there any other items I should look into doing on this vehicle keeping in mind its mileage (38,000).

Thanks in advance for any assistance you may offer.

[wolfox]

On the 4x4's, the bearings are permanently sealed - supposed to last the lifetime of the truck. On the 2x4's, front bearings should be inspected/repacked/possibly replaced every time you bring it in for brake service - or at least around that mileage. Every 6 years, 60,000 miles I would at least get them repacked. This will ensure that they are looked at, and given fresh grease.

Oh, and if you are ever in water deeper than your kick panels, that would be a good time to get your front bearings looked at on your 4x2. Other than that, the usual tune-up stuff, maintainence and whatnot you expect to perform on a 4x4 should be done to your 4x2 as well. At 60k, you are looking at Air filter, fuel filter, coolant drain/refill after a good reverse flush, differential oil swap, tranny filter swap and refill of fluid lost when that's done, in addition to your usual oil change and oil filter swap. At that age, one should also get under the truck and inspect shocks for leaks, exhaust systems for holes, the rubber hangars that hold your exhaust up should still be tight fitting and flexible, as should all of the fuel lines and the fat filler-pipe that goes to your gas tank from the filler neck. Inspect brake lines, check battery charge with a hydrometer and a good voltmeter too. 6 years/60~65k miles is right about where one starts to experience trouble with charging/battery systems if they are neglected. Other than that, enjoy the truck!

At about 75k~90k will be about the time one goes looking for a new set of ignition wires if they start to get brittle, new platinum plugs, rotor bug and cap for the distributor, etc. Flush brake fluids, clutch fluids - they age and collect dust at about this time, making the fluid look brown, rather than a light honey yellow. Every 6k, rotate tires, grease ALL zerks in the suspension and driveline while you tamper around, doing your oil change. That should pretty much keep your truck trouble free, barring anything mechanical that may happen. Good luck!

[blazee]

I thought the 2wds were sealed too.........

[wolfox]

Technically, I think all bearings in any vehicle are sealed. But that is merely a dust seal on the 2x4's. It takes just a *little* bit of water infiltration to turn grease into a sticky, white foam that does nothing to protect the bearing and its races. On the 4x4's, it's an integral, and totally hermetic inside the front hub assembly, being sandwiched in all of those other parts that make up the braking, suspension and steering. It's a bit more "open" and less complex on the 4x2's. A ziplock baggie, bearing grease and a torque wrench on an afternoon is all one needs to service the 2x4's. The same parts on the 4x4 are replaced as an assembly. If there is cause to replace/service the front bearings on the 4x4, it's much costlier and invasive. They cannot be serviced inedpendantly, one must replace the entire hub assembly. A shame that - but still, if the truck's treated right, they will last a lifetime.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by Flashbac29

I recently purchased a 2000 blazer ls 4door 2wheel drive with 38,000 miles. I've heard some mention in this forum concerning repacking wheel bearings,,, but this mostly concerns the 4wd models. Is this something I should concern myself with on my 2wd?

I've already done some maint. items such as tranny flush, air filter replacement, rad. cap replacement, greased front end, replaced serpentine belt.

Are there any other items I should look into doing on this vehicle keeping in mind its mileage (38,000).

Thanks in advance for any assistance you may offer.

Cap & Rotor
Fuel Filter
PCV valve

Did you get all 11 grease fittings and the u-joints?
Flush the cooling system.

[blazee]

By "sealed" I meant a sealed unit. I haven't dealt with a 2wd so I can't say for sure, but I have seen numerous posts on here stating the bearings are sealed and must be replaced as a hub assembly. I just assumed that, if the whole hub had to be replaced, that they couldn't be repacked.

[BlazerLT]

2wd = Can be repacked
4wd = Sealed unit that cannot be repacked.

That's it Blazee, back to the training room!

[wolfox]

A true Jedi Padowan could have cut through this post at least several times... *sigh* Well, I am going to go back to my side of the camp in hopes that Blazee will come back to the "Dark Side" of the Force.

[blazee]

I know all about the 4wd, I have replaced them before.


I was refering to 2wd only, I have read many posts that say the 2wd bearings have to be replaced as a complete asembly, which led me to believe that they were similar to the 4wd. I have never heard it mentioned that they can be repacked. That is all I was saying. If you can pull the bearings and repack them why can't you just replace them without having to buy the whole assembly?

[wolfox]

You can repack, replace individual bearings on the 2x4 front axles. You can't on the 4x4. 4x4 = hermetically sealed assembly. 4x2=double bearing pressed into hub assy. They can be pressed in and out with an arbor press, or a ghettoed press comprised of a drift, hydraulic floor jack and a sturdy workbench bolted to a concrete floor.

[blazee]

I understand what you are saying...I'm just wondering why everyone who comes to this forum with wheel bearing problems is instructed to replace the hub assembly rather than just the bearings. Sounds like there has been a lot of bad advice given.

again I'm only talking about 2wd. I know the 4wd defintely has to relaced as a unit.

[clariveros]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

2wd = Can be repacked

the 2wd drive bearing can't be repacked it can be replaced but it is a sealed unit just like the 4wd one, some have said that it can changed but then you would need a hydrolic (pls excuse the spelling) press to put one back in, and the cost tend to be around 200 for this part

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by clariveros

the 2wd drive bearing can't be repacked it can be replaced but it is a sealed unit just like the 4wd one, some have said that it can changed but then you would need a hydrolic (pls excuse the spelling) press to put one back in, and the cost tend to be around 200 for this part

Yes, it can be repacked. Do you want me to bring in a GM mechanic to prove it?

[clariveros]

Dude no need for an attitude, i am just telling you what I know and experienced, on my 2001 it was the first thing i had to replace and i am telling that it i was under the impression that like most other cars it could be repacked , but i did reasearch on this for almost a month and only found that one would have to replace the entire hub assembly to stop the humming, if they can be repacked then i would like to know how and i am sure that lots of people here would also like to know because i tell you i was still in college when i had to drop $360 for that hub and it Hurt .

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by clariveros

Dude no need for an attitude, i am just telling you what I know and experienced, on my 2001 it was the first thing i had to replace and i am telling that it i was under the impression that like most other cars it could be repacked , but i did reasearch on this for almost a month and only found that one would have to replace the entire hub assembly to stop the humming, if they can be repacked then i would like to know how and i am sure that lots of people here would also like to know because i tell you i was still in college when i had to drop $360 for that hub and it Hurt .

I gave no attitude, I was direct and clear. Nothing more.

Most mechanics like to replace parts rather than repack them. They prey on ignorance and it is easier for them to replace the hub instead of repacking good bearings.

You have to understand also, you had a failed bearing whereas the point of this thread is preventative maintanence. Two differnt things entirely.