I had my 97 blazer 4 dr. 4x4 in the shop the other day to get the U joints replaced. MY mechanic also said the front bearings and ball joints were all in pretty bad shape, and said he could do it for about $1000 for parts and labor on both sides. I know it really isn't a terrible idea but I just can't afford that. So, with the help of a friend, who is also pretty good with cars, I am going to try to replace all of it at once. I have read a couple of manuals on the ball joint replacement, and think we can manage, but I need some help on the bearing replacements. If anybody can give me some how to help, links to pages about the bearings, and suggestions for what parts to get it would be awesome. Hopefully we can do it ourselves and save a few hundred dollars.

Any advice is great Thanks

 

You're not looking to replace the bearings, unfortunately, but the entire hub assembly, which runs something like $120-$500 depending on quality. Replacing the hub assembly itself is supposedly pretty straightfoward, looking at doing that this week or next myself, also trying to save money on labor.

Search the forum, you'll find all you need I believe.

 

Why do I need to replace the entire hub? I know the mechanic was just planing on the upper and lower ball joints as well as the bearings.

 

Because the bearings are part of a complete hub assembly.
$125 each at Autozone.

I talked Advance into selling them to me for $99.98 each, doing my Earl Scheib impersonation.