Hello from Europe

I have a little problem with my blazer 1997 4x4 LT.....

From 40KM/H there is a vibration under the car that I also can feel in my foot on the floor...it's also a little rumbling....
Now yesterday I put new rear bearings in the back wheels...but still vibration...

facts:

-balljoint's/pitman all ok(almost new)
-tires ok(michelin 4x4)
-front wheel bearings seems are ok(I tested them with wheels free of the ground and no rumble or play)
-cv axle are ok
-When I steer to the right It's almost over
-no difference when braking
-also the floor shifter vibrates a very little also the steering wheel

Today:
I have put the car on the carbridge today and I discoverd a play in the front axle...the play is where the axel leaves the transmission...is this normal? I think there is 2MM play...(see photo what I mean)

Is that normal 2mm play on that place?
I always drive with my backwheels (no 4x4) and I think the front axle is still when driving not in 4x4?
Is it maybe a solution I change all u joint's from the front and back axle?
Can I drive without the front axle tot test my vibration problem is there??
Maybe you have a suggestion for me...before i renew the whole car

 

When in 2WD the hubs should be unlocked and the front axle/driveshaft shouldn't turn with the wheels. If the axle turns with the wheels you could look at the hubs possibly not unlocking.

I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to remove the front axle and drive it to see if that has anything to do with it. You should probably check with someone more experienced than I first though.

 

I would check front u-joint I test drove a 4x4 blazer that had a bad vibration and it was the front u-joint it could also be the pinion gear bearing is shot on front differential, the front shaft turns a little even when in 2 hi

 

A simple check, based on experience - Do the wheels still have the balancing weights on them?

I got new tires once, along with ball joints and alignment. It drove like new for a day, and the second day there was vibrations at slow freeway speeds, getting worse going faster. Apparently ALL the weights had fallen off due to being installed wrong. They stayed on just long enough that I wasn't thinking that COULD be a problem.

 

I've been fighting a similar vibration for over a year in my 99 Blazer.

A local transmission specialist told me something interesting about the way newer driveshafts are balanced at the factory.

Apparently, there is a welded on weight or something like that. He says whenever a new Universal joint is installed, it WILL throw the driveshaft out of balance! You then need to get the whole driveshaft rebalances.

Anyone heard of this issue ???

 

I was just having the same problem until my u joint broke an beat the crap out of the gas tank and tore a hole in my muffler. I would highly recommend changing u joints. It's not hard and cost less than $30. For that price even if you're wrong, you'll come out ahead in the end.

 

Did you ever figure out what was wrong with your blazer? Mine is doing the same thing and all of the other threads I have seen have just stopped without saying a fix to the issue. Death for the blazer maybe???