Front end vibration
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 26,108
Likes: 4,148
From: Near Cal. Avenue
I had that happen to me on my 74 Blazer. It cut out the needle bearings in the center ball where the little nipple fit in and made a rubbing feeling, almost like worn brake pads. It was full time 4x4 and damage was up by the front axle.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 654
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Thanks for the tips... I've got the same symptoms right now too... Snugly suggested I pull my hubs apart and see if they need a rebuild... I'll keep this ball joint in mind, too... How much was the part, and how hard was it for you to do yourself?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
About $26 a piece on the u-joints and $50 for the ball joint. The hardest part of getting everything apart is were the double u-joint is. Because of the ball joint it is hard to get enough movment to get the u-joints out was tempted to break out the cutting wheel but decided it could turn out bad.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 26,108
Likes: 4,148
From: Near Cal. Avenue
As I remember you kinda put the assembly back together gradually, a little bit at a time, all at once. Trying any other way won't fit together. U knock it apart the same way, a little at a time, turn it and work a little more loose in it until it comes apart. Andsome Blaster.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 654
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Ok, I'm thinking i don't understand how the 4x4 system works very well... My understanding was that the hubs could be "locked" meaning it would always be in 4x4, or they could be in automatic, meaning the ESOF switch dictated what drive you were in. Based on what's written above, I'm thinking I'm wrong on that. What's the difference between having the hubs locked or on automatic? I take it even when they're locked, the ESOF switch still can turn 4x4 off? A little education on that would be welcome... happy to go to an external link too, rather than hijack this thread... Thanks!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 26,108
Likes: 4,148
From: Near Cal. Avenue
Davbeisner - U got the vacuum operated at the wheels/hubs up front and engagement motors for the transaxle, clockwise and counterclockwise.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 654
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
So on the truck with the ESOF, is there any difference between turning the hubs to automatic or locked? I saw Benny said something about lower MPG in 2wd with them locked... but not sure why that would be the case. And also not sure how they would go out of 4wd if they were locked...
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