Today in quest of finding the source of vibration at highway speeds I measured the lateral runout of my front brake rotors. One measured 0.0010" and the other 0.0015". These were well within the 0.005" tolerance.

Tomorrow I wiil do the rears.

I also installed new lower control arm bump stops.

Fortunately I found the beginnings of a crack in the inner CV boot on the driver side. It sucks that it is damaged, but at least I know about it

 

I pulled down a tree that my neighbor had cut through all the way but didn't fall. Funny thing is it had a tree he had cut down the fell onto this tree. Amazing the things you can do with a winch! I have some tree I want to cut down but will be using a ****** block and my winch to help to make them fall in the direction I want them to fall. I don't want them falling on the aspens that could get flattened.

 

Today I replaced the shocks.

Does anyone know the correct hardware for the rear shock's lower shackle? Mine had an M14 x 2.00 bolt, lock nut, and two washers. A large washer was installed against the nut and a smaller washer against the bolt.

I have to guess that there is only supposed to be a washer against the nut, but not the bolt. As far as I know nuts and bolts get a washer on one side, not both. Also, the service manual shows only one nut.

There was a bit of problem removing the upper M8 x 1.25 bolts. The threaded retaining clip broke, so the threads were spinning on the rear of the bolt! I was able to hold the clip steady from the rear with a large prybar to remove the bolt. But it took about a half hour of dirt in my face.

This required a trip to the wreckers for a replacement clip. I had a handful of change, but the nice gal behind the desk smiled and said, "have a nice day!". So the clips were free. I cleaned them up a bit and painted them so that hopefully they will be less likely to corrode into nothing for next time.

 

must be a southern truck...nope.... surprised the shocks didn't fall off by now...lol

 

I finished replacing the left rear axle shaft and axle bearing. I'm hoping this solves the vibration at highway speeds that I could not remedy with wheel balancing. The original axle had excessive lateral runout which could have been the source of the vibration. Wish me luck that it is now fixed!

 

I applied some touchup paint to the truck. Today is likely to be our last warm day for quite a while so I'm glad I thought to do it.

Gotta keep my Blazer maintained and looking good!

 

Its a good feeling when you decide to upgrade to a group 78 battery and realize you saved the battery tray from rotting out! Granted, it sucked to see all the rust under the battery and sucked to grind it all off with a flapper... but knowing it was a pull once instead of a pull twice repair felt good. Sadly, no gloss black in the shop so it received a flat black 'downgrade'. All well that ends well though!

 

Today I finished replacing the engine oil, filter and replacing the right front CV axle. Last week I got the truck back from the transmission shop that replaced the transfer case rear output shaft bushing and seal along with a bad ujoint on the driveshaft that was likely the cause of the awful vibrations. Tomorrow, is time for the full test drive.

 

i did the left side axle on a 1998, is doing the right the same...i had to borrow an air hammer to knock the left out of housing

 

Replaced Transmission cooling lines with new stainless steel prefabricated lines from Inline Tube. Replaced transmission dipstick seal, adjusted TV cable and new transmission pan gasket.
This is on my 1989 S15 Jimmy. I will be replacing the fuel and brake lines with stainless steel prefabrication lines from Inline Tube in the near future.