Wow how would you not be able to notice the difference in handling along with probably hearing a awful noise all the way there...

 

Like I said, he' an idiot.
Simply amazing.

 

His brain & the truck must have been bouncing & making noises in harmony. LOL What a waste of brains & truck!

 

OK. I packed my first wheel bearings this morning.
Partner showed up early last night and packed the drivers side, I observed how he did it and repeated the process myself. Quite simple actually. Took me about an hour per bearing to insure myself that there were no voids, air pockets, trapped inside.
The upgrade to manual hubs went flawlessly. What a simple chore!
However, and yes I began a sentence/paragraph with 'however', once that was complete it allowed us to troubleshoot the rest of the front end... I also need new ball joints on the passenger side.
The 'flop' isn't terrible yet, and he said I could drive it with caution, until my next work break. He also said not not waste money on new tires until this is remedied.
I work Fri-Mon, ten hour shifts. Its a great gig, and I avoid the retards in the office...
OK. What we found in the passenger hub. Back seal was pressed too far in, allowing the mechanism to eat the spring. It was sucked inside the roller bearings. I'll attach a pic if I can figure out how.
Lex

 

glad to hear the hub conversion went smoothly.

sorry to hear about the "tool" of a step-son you have (his mother is worth it though).

 

Thanks man.
Shes a real jewel, I can't complain much about that.
Got home today & discovered that she had purchased the ball-joints and some other tools while grocery shopping . Saved me a trip to town next week. She can spend money! Sometimes even wisely .

 

Update:
Went to Casper yesterday in Hussy's HondaCRV. Picked up a ball-joint tool kit from Harbor Freight.
Just removed the tire/wheel/hub again and soaked the rear dust plate bolts and the ball-joints with PB*Blaster. Should be ready for my first ball-joint R&R tomorrow.
Caught my first Brook trout yesterday, from a lil stream that we didn't even know had fish! We'd been fishing the lake beside the stream for four years (rainbows). Never saw a fish come out of that creek until two weeks ago, then last week Hussy caught seven of the lil gravy stains.
Hussy likes the Brookie flavor, I prefer the 'bows.
6-10-10
Spent all day looking for a short 1 1/8" socket. My socket is too tall. So I'm gonna try to borrow one from work tomorrow.

 

OK, getting quite a collection of Blazer tools, maybe I should open shop... nah.
Step 7: Secure piece in vice. (Translation) If its locked down you can't throw it violently across the garage...
6-16-10
Finished the ball-joint replacement just a moment ago. Took a short hop to refuel, everything seems to be working fine.
I did have to fabricate two tools to work along with my new "C" clamp compression toy.
Now I can recommence my ranch work. Haven't missed much, we've had record rains & flooding for the past three weeks.

 

Hope you like the hubs. Sure is handy for not worring about the vaccum operated 4x4 system failing when out in the field like on our little brother blazers.

 

Been working my ancient butt off, but back to reading ya'll's posts finally. Lots of neat stuff going on I see.

I've taken the Blazer as far as I'm willing to go with shade-tree mechanics (my Bud & me).
Next up is a re-alignment, & I don't trust myself to do that properly.
My Buds taking far too much medication & going thru a divorce too.
He came over the other day to check on me, so I hauled his *** fishing! Gave him a day away from his cares & fed him and his daughter dinner that night.
Adios for now.
edit: 6-30-10
Got the alignment & new rubber yesterday. Taking my trailer to the scales this morn so I can get 'er tagged start getting things accomplished.