Tie-rods look straight to me.

So did you see 1/4" of deflection on the tire you were moving before you saw deflection on the other?

Was there any vertical deflection of the idler or pitman arms when you were moving the tire?

Just to be thorough, be sure to attempt to move the tires on both sides in both the vertical and horizontal axes.

Also do a visual inspection of the bushing for the control arms and the eccentrics that adjust them. Look for any freedom of movement at the bushings too.

 

Told ya...

 

I only have one thing to say to you Mike: LOL

 

So true. Ok, I guess my next move is on the tie rod sleeves, goal is to get the steering wheel back to 12:00.

 

The movement is a chain reaction, tire-tie rods-tire, so I would say almost simultaneous. The action on the idler arm is up and down. There is no vertical movement of the tires, they are tight.

 

Ah, the idler arm should not move up and down (much), only swing in an arc about an axis defined by the bracket to which it is attached. (The bracket is securely bolted to the frame, right?)

Here is a link to how to inspect the idler arm: http://www.fme-cat.com/docs/2215.pdf

These instructions mention the maximum acceptable limits of vertical motion for a generic GM car. I can't confirm if that is appropriate for a Blazer or not. Maybe someone else here can confirm how best to check these.

I had my idler arm have a good amount of vertical motion so I replaced it with a HD Moog part. The Proforge ones are supposed to be good too. The OEM ones are apparently notorious for wearing out.

 

To try and align your ride the old fashion way is not a true alignment I hope you know that and it still should be align by a professional on a machine...I did it once oh about 40 yrs ago when I was young and had no money..had to borrow the plub and chalk line to make the mark, it did alright..but since I was young I got rid of the car and got another one and another one and so on...Do the right thing and spend the bucks and have it 4 wheel align and not just two.

 

Puttster, sorry to have doubted you Sir..

I am also a member at the G6 Owners Club forums via Facebook..Within 2 months time last year, 3 different guys did front end work, only to have a control arm break loose within a day or 2 of working on it.... Happened to one guy on the Highway...What a strange series of events that was...

Carry on...Again, I apologize for my over-abundance of caution....

 

No sweat jone531. Whether I succeed or fail at least I am in the arena, giving it a go. And maybe the millions of people who read this adventure will learn something, too

 

I went with one full turn to bring the 3/16" toe out driver side to what I hope is 1/8" toe in. Then 3/8 turn to bring the 1/4" toe in right side to 1/8" toe in.

There was a lot of play in both tie rod ends, at least 1/8 of an easy turn. Also I measured camber using a level and it looks like they are leaning in. Only .59 degrees of lean on the passenger but 2.45 deg on the corner that was hit. Does that say anything about what part is damaged?

After adjusting the sleeves I backed the car up and down the driveway and the steering wheel looks straight. I'll test more rigorously tomorrow and include a string measurement.


putts