92 bravada ball joints

[ericn1300]

Hey Chris,

I remember a long time back you posted a visual inspection for ball joints on the Bravada. I couldn't find that post again, could you tell me how to do it?

I drove the Bravada for the first time in a long while and it was so sloppy I couldn't believe the load levler was putting up with it. I just pulled the idler arm and it's shot. Almost 3/4" play in it.

Also anything else I should be looking for? The pitman arm seems ok for now.

Thanks, Eric

[Chris Stewart]

Sure Eric,
Look at the grease fitting on the lower ball joint. It's screwed into a nipple on a plate inside the ball joint. As long as that nipple is protruding the cover, your ball joint is ok but when it recedes through the cover, it's considered worn out.

Since my '92 is back in retirement, I took it on it's first monthly "keep'er limbered up" ride this morning. I felt a resonant vibration in the floorboard & seat until it warmed up so it's going up on jackstands...I'm guessing low lube somewhere like the transfer case or the front pump bushing on the trans is going away which means a trip to the trans shop some of these days.
Does your right knee hurt after driving your Bravada for ant distance?

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

Since my '92 is back in retirement, I took it on it's first monthly "keep'er limbered up" ride this morning. I felt a resonant vibration in the floorboard & seat until it warmed up so it's going up on jackstands...I'm guessing low lube somewhere like the transfer case or the front pump bushing on the trans is going away which means a trip to the trans shop some of these days.

could just be the pumps, gears and clutches were dry from sitting so long, vehicles need to be driven regulary. or it could be something as simple as flat spots in the serpentine belt from sitting. check the fluid levels and see if the problem goes away when you restore it to regular service before heading to the tranny shop.

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

Does your right knee hurt after driving your Bravada for ant distance?

i use the cruise control in the Bravada so i can stretch out while driving distances, but my left knee sure did hurt after driving the 50 gmc out to the dump last week. man that's a heavy clutch. something to be said for those new fangled hydralic clutches, and about getting older.

[Chris Stewart]

Does the GMC have the pedals go through the floor with linkages under the floorboard? Seems like Dad's had a pedal he pushed to start the motor....man that's taking me back,lol.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

Does the GMC have the pedals go through the floor with linkages under the floorboard? Seems like Dad's had a pedal he pushed to start the motor....man that's taking me back,lol.

yes it still has the floor starter next to the gas pedal. it goes thru the floor board and is a direct mechanical linkage to the starter