I have a 2000 chevy blazer 4wd and I have a metallic noise coming from the front end only while going straight. I think it is originating from the passenger side but I'm not certain. I can only hear it between 20-50 mph with the windows down. The sound goes away when I turn the wheel off center either direction. I recently replaced the hubs and idler arm. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Check ur pitman arm, generally when one goes out the other goes as well (general rule of thumb is to replace both the pitman arm and idler arm at the same time). Check ur ball joints too. I just dealt with grinding/steering issues in Oct. and learned that one part going bad likes to take others down with it.

 

Have the engine running & have someone turn the wheel. Use a screw driver or something to put against the power steering pump & the handle to your ear. Does the sound come from there? Is the fluid topped up? Use that method on all the other accessories & whatever else you can think of & maybe you can narrow it down.

If you got 'budget' hubs it still may be them. Touch each front rim near the center after a 20 minute drive & see if one is hotter.

If you have that sound & lightly touch the brakes does it go away? Could be a brake issue or brake line collapsed.

Put it in 4 high & see how it reacts if it changes one way or the other then you can look at front drive train componants.

 

sounds like a cv joint ... Im not sure tho.

 

If you are going straight, does it go away when you apply the brakes lightly?

 

Yes it does go away when I apply the brakes. Also noisy when braking while in reverse. I guess it's probably time for new brake pads. Thanks.

 

Replaced the brake pads and the noise is gone.

 

ok so i have the 98 blazer 4x4 the 4 wheel is not working at the moment i have the same infamous grinding both cv joints are brand new upper and lower ball joints i know my idler arm came lose but why would the idler cause a grinding mine does not go away when breaking all the time and sometimes it does not even happen breaks and routers are new tie rods are looking pretty worn i am in canada so its all kph but it grinds tell i hit just over 100 kph and doesnt start tell about 30 kph please for the love of all things holy help me i need this truck for work the longer its down the more money i lose

 

Partially engaged front axle?

 

now i am not sure exactly where to be looking for the problem can you give me a list of most common places for those to go bad and which i should start with because i am lost here