My 2002 Chevy s-10 Blazer 4x4

[johncub7172]

Has anyone ever replaced the 4x4 shifting components in this model that are located in the passenger-side half shaft? With the nice weather coming, I'm about ready to do it as the humming noise going down the road has me aggravated. I figure I don't have to split the upper ball joint as I have a new wheel hub, factory correct GM parts, rotor, pads, brake line, vac switch off the transfer case, gear oil,.... ect. The computer and motor work as should, as well as the control buttons. Has all disk brakes that I recently replaced all 3 as well as all 3 calipers. The truck is in pretty good condition considering all 18 years of being in the great rust belt. No engine check light!

If you have any tips, that would be great! It seems pretty simple to preform.

Off topic, but my friend once had the 1993 Chevy Cyclone? With the super charged 4.3 Vortec. That truck would tear up the 1/4 mile at the track on amature night. Mine is going good with 176.400 miles.

thanks

[dodge trucker]

What humming noise? Sure that it isn't a hub bearing?? I have changed alot of those.
Also if you have never replaced the ball joints check those out closely. Seen many an S10/ blazer on the side of the road when they were a more current model with the top of the wheel buried within the wheel well from Baltimore joint breakage,. Replaced a ton of them too in 20 years spent as an alignment guy.

[CADplans]

IF it were a noise bothering me, I surely would change the oil first,,,

My daughters '96 S-10, manual transmission and 4.3 engine, and 4WD was making tranny noise, and was hard to shift.

I found the right synthetic oil for the transmission, and changed the oil,
about a week of driving later, no noise, and the shifting was easy again.

My '95 Suburban always howled a little from the rearend. It got worse at 100,000 miles

I changed to synthetic oil, the noise was gone.

[johncub7172]

Originally Posted by dodge trucker

What humming noise? Sure that it isn't a hub bearing?? I have changed alot of those.
Also if you have never replaced the ball joints check those out closely. Seen many an S10/ blazer on the side of the road when they were a more current model with the top of the wheel buried within the wheel well from Baltimore joint breakage,. Replaced a ton of them too in 20 years spent as an alignment guy.

The humming noise is coming from the two worn out, special washers between the output shaft of the differential, and the slide gears, I believe. My 4-by always worked. Once in a while I would hear a grinding and clicking noise from under the front end while driving. I had no idea what it could be. My transmission works wonderfully. I soon found out what it was all about this winter when I needed my 4 wheel!

I removed that transfer case vac switch and it was frozen like a manual hydro release valve that had been sitting in the rain for years. I could not get the ball to move up or down. So this $16 part caused about $600 worth of parts..... this is why I'm doing the repairs myself. Its in my blood. The vac switch under the battery, and cable are fine. The buttons, computer, motor all work as should.

Thank you for suggesting to replace the upper and lower ball joints. Checked on prices and they are pretty inexpensive. I'll just have to grind off those rivets, and get my friend's ball joint fork.

[johncub7172]

Originally Posted by CADplans

IF it were a noise bothering me, I surely would change the oil first,,,

My daughters '96 S-10, manual transmission and 4.3 engine, and 4WD was making tranny noise, and was hard to shift.

I found the right synthetic oil for the transmission, and changed the oil,
about a week of driving later, no noise, and the shifting was easy again.

My '95 Suburban always howled a little from the rearend. It got worse at 100,000 miles

I changed to synthetic oil, the noise was gone.

I've heard not so great things about the rear ends in these Blazers. It's an automatic drive transmission, with electronic, push button selection. The trans oil and filter had been done a year or so before I got it from my F.I.L, who always fixed what was needed. Been looking hard at the new Silverado 6' bed 4x4 single cab. I think I want to push this Blazer up to 300k before I commit to the new truck ( keep my blazer for winter use ). Now, I can walk into wally world, get a AC Delco oil filter, and 5 quarts of Valvoline conventional engine oil ( 10w-40 ) for almost under $20. I change my oil every 3k, and try my best to take care of it. So, I'm sure my new truck is going to have full synthetic engine oil.

[J-Mech]

John, the noise isn't coming from those "special washers". I think you're going on a wild goose chase. PM me if you want to discuss it. I've rebuilt a lot of Chevy front ends. And by front ends, I mean the entire axle. Inside and out.

[johncub7172]

Thanks Jon! I'll shoot you a pm once I get it apart. It is my work truck so I need to get it done this weekend as the weather is going to be good. Picking up the upper and lower ball joints tomorrow. Saturday I will exchange the brake caliper and buy a new one. Thanks for again !

[J-Mech]

I don't know where you buy your parts.... but I strongly suggest not using "cheap" ball joints. Get Moog or Spicer/Dana. If not, you'll be replacing them again in short order.

[dodge trucker]

X 1000 on not using"cheap" suspension parts..... I usually haven't, but the one time that I did on one of my own vehicles it bit me in the ass 1100 miles from home. I re changed a ball joint on the side of the road in Houston, and re changed the other one in the motel parking lot before heading for home. I had walk 2 miles to the nearest auto parts store and the guy looked at me funny when I insisted on the Moog ones, man there was a heavy coating of dust on those boxes the new ball joints came in but no more issues since.

I had listened to a buddy who recommended the 1st ones that I had installed only 7000 miles previous.... Instead of my gut.

I cannot count how many people looked at me surprised I couldn't align their car because it had worn parts, because the parts that were bad weren't that old, almost every time I'd ask where they got them, the answer would be the same...... They bought the economy line parts the 1st go round.

[johncub7172]

Here it is. I don't get it, still upside down. Oh well.