I have a '74 Blazer at my place with a strange popping in the front end. I am fairly sure it is the ball joints, but since it is lifted a great deal I am afraid it might be something in the linkage.

It does not make the sound when the front wheels are off the ground and generally doesn't pop once the truck is moving, say through a turn. But when it is sitting still or going very slow the pops and noises are present.

So, are there any easy ways to tell whether the ball joints are bad or not. I am going to take the front end apart tomorrow and check it out, but if there is something I can do to figure it out before I am elbows deep in axle grease it would be greatly appreciated.

 

That or linkage I would imagine. Dunno how it'd work on a Blazer, at work we use a tanker's bar and try to 'seperate' the ball joint from the hub, basically squeezing them together to see if there's any play between the two. If there's any room or play, it's bad. Guess you could do that for the steering too, but I dunno how you'd apply that much force to the linkage safely. Could have a buddy shake the steering wheel back and forth really hard and see if there's any play. If there is, it's bad. Havent' even looked at mine to see if they're sealed or greasable. Only had it about two weeks now. )

 

I would check for play in the axle shafts, (up front) they are the culprits to clicking grinds and clunks, although it may be ball joints it is more difficult to identify because of the axis it operates on. do your notice any wear on the tires? if a ball joint has failed being upper or lower, the wheel will begin to wear on the inside or outside of the tire. try just looking at the front of the truck and see if the angle of the front tire is off it will be a subtle difference but visible!

 

Check out the U-joints on the front end, rule them out first. They could be dry or worn beyond tolerance, and binding up.

 

I have a 91 k5. Took it thru a bunch of water and it started doing the same thing a few months later. Supposedly upper and lower ball joints, tie rods, possibly gear box.