97 jimmy thumping

[cric]

have a 97 jimmy has a loud thumping in front end driver side when turning right

[4x4 blazerguy]

I have the same thing. When I back up & turn sharp I notice it more than any other time. It has done it for a year & half & over 30,000 miles. We drive our Blazer off-road all the time & I mean tough off-roading. It never gets worse. I have had the front end checked & nothing but regular wear is noted. So just have it looked at & if nothing but regular wear shows up. (that means ball joint wear) just drive it as we do.
I have learned as long as these Blazers start & run JUST DRIVE THEM. THEY HAVE SOME CRAZY ISSUES SOMETIMES. But ours hasn't given up yet & we drive the crap out of it. 8000 miles the last 2 months. About 3000 of that is hard off road use.

[speedzonwheels]

Have this same thing happen to me also when I am driving and haven't figured it out yet on my 94 s10 blazer. I have concluded that it hasn't got any worse since its been doing it for a month now, but Im thinking it might be to do with the shocks being worn, so i may replace those soon enough. Hope someone knows the answer since we all have the same issue.

[speedzonwheels]

I also heard it was a U-Joint on the driveshaft. But Im not sure why that would make that noise while turning or anything like so... But Im going to check on that also.

[4x4 blazerguy]

I believe it has to due with the sway bar. I mean after a year & half & 30,000 miles if it was anything wrong to the point it needs to be fixed, it surely would be worse,m & it isn't.

[Gabe25]

It sounds like it could be any number of things. Here are some things to check.

1. Upper and lower control arm bushings.
2. Upper and lower ball joints.

The easiest way to get a full inspection would be to take it down for a front end alignment. They normally do it for free. Then take the inspection sheet and go ahead and replace the worn parts.

[4x4 blazerguy]

Originally Posted by Gabe25

It sounds like it could be any number of things. Here are some things to check.

1. Upper and lower control arm bushings.
2. Upper and lower ball joints.

The easiest way to get a full inspection would be to take it down for a front end alignment. They normally do it for free. Then take the inspection sheet and go ahead and replace the worn parts.

Yea good points. I had mine inspected & aligned by an independent tire shop & they said there was wear in those areas but not to the point of being unsafe or worth replacing at this point. If you go to some of these tire shops they'll try to sell you now. Or try to scare the crap out of you if you don't bite their call. So find a good mechanic that is honest, & will tell you the truth. I do a lot of my own work but I have a shop that does a lot of repairs & service for us when I don't want to mess with it. We have three trucks. They know how I think & that I'm a retired mechanic so if something needs attention they let me know, to how quick it needs to be addressed. I recommend everyone find these GOOD MECHANICS & shops & use them as your budget allows.