Hey all, just wanted to say hello and thanks for giving me a place to get information and help with my blazer. I have a 1998 4wd LS. Awesome little truck, but at this point i have about 195k miles on it and its time to put some work into it. Im 20yo and this is my first vehicle that im working on myself so i will have questions here n there. Im semi-mechanically inclined and already installed front shocks and brakes, but im going to need more than that.

So im experiencing a harsh squeaking. Theres no popping, so i dont believe it to be ball joints. I tried greasing up the bushings around the control arms with a grease gun, but to no avail. The sway bar, link, and bushings are all OEM. Think theyre just worn out?

The squeaking occurs mostly when driving down straight roads, but becomes more intense when braking. After reaching the stop, when im at the point where the vehicle sits back on the suspension and theres no more forward momentum is when i hear the most severe creaking.

I hope my description helps. Im not too experienced in trouble shooting, but i feel like its the sway bar. Also, there is still too much travel in the front suspension after replacing the shocks. They were 25 dollar gas charged monroe shocks.

If anyone could give me some help that would be great.

Oh and just some background, this is only my daily driver for now, so i dont need top of the line shocks, but should i consider throwing in maybe 40-50 dollar shocks instead? I am a firm believer in getting what you pay for so I guess i shouldnt half *** it.

Thanks in advance!

 

Hey I've been thinking about changing my front shocks too because they are originals and I also notice a lot of travel on them (dip when braking). Did you notice any improvement with the new shocks? Did it stiffen up at all?
And was that $25 for those monroe shocks full price or sale at the store? At canadian tire I assume. That sounds very cheap.

 

Yeah i would, the rides a lot smoother, id reccomend doing so even if its just a cheap pair like the ones i purchased. I need to throw a pair in the rear now. Bought them at Advanced Auto Parts.

And i fixed the problem with the squeaking.

What i did was purchase a bottle of engine degreaser, lithium grease, and a tub of all purpose grease.

Threw the truck on a couple jack stands, pulled off both wheels and degreased every suspension component down there.

Anything that was metal on metal, i used the lithium grease then anything that operated with bushings i used a grease gun and applied the all-purpose. Not a sounds coming from the front end, now i just need to do the same with the rear.