1991 S-10 Blazer 4.3L

Just traded for this vehicle and I guess I have been had. I really like it and want to keep it but I just dont know.
Problem While backing up I hear a rather loud clunking sound or popping sound. Seems like the right front end. Brakes perhaps? Only while backing and so far just one pop per back up.

Also first time I drove in the rain this morning and I thought I would never make it to work. Hydroplanes bad. has practical new tires. Could alignment cause this?

Please somebody give me advise It will be appreciated.

 

I should add something I just thought of. I hope I have solved my own problem or at least understand thew cause.

Last night while working on the defrost/heater ductwork I removed the transfer case cover and disconnected the wires. to remove it I had to shift the lever to 4H. Several times I started the engine while messing with the vacuum lines to the heater flapper door and also messed with some vacuum lines under the hood - tracing etc.

could my front driveline be partly engaged? Could this cause all the problems I mentioned in the first notice?

Also I remember that now my N & 4L lights do not work anymore.

thanks in advance for anyone who can shed some light on this

 

First instinct with any popping noise coming from the front end is usually ball joints. Run a search for 'popping noise' or 'ball joints' and see if your symptoms match up with what (many) others have posted. If it is ball joints, I highly recommend Moog or Power Performance Motorsports. And it might take a chomp at your wallet but it's best to replace all four at the same time if you can.

 

Well looks like its sticking calipers. The right one is sticking closed and the left one is not working at all. Have them and the lines off now and will replace them in the morning.

 

Also take tbb's advice and check your ball joints as well to see if they need replacing while your at it!!

 

Ball Joints were OK. Noticed main problem other than brakes which were in very bad shape (calipers froze)was a loose upper control arm nut. This made the right front wheel jump out of alignment and swerve.Did a country-boy align job and tightened that baby up. Set cruise contol on 60MPH and let go of the steering wheel.........went about 1/4 of a mile before I had to compensate. A simple 70 foot-pound torque job solved all my problems!

 

Congrats on the repair, good to hear you have it back on the road safely!!!

 

I have a '96 with the exact same symptoms. I replace the upper and lower ball joints a little over a year ago and all was well for a while, then I noticed this loud pop everytime I would back up and turn at the same time. I just had new tires, shocks and an alignment done on the truck. When I dropped the truck off I discussed my problem with the tech. The first time he worked on it he couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from (he could hear it, but tracking it down was a little tough.

Then, while replacing the shocks he discovered that my right rear upper control arm bushing was all egged out. The other three aren't nearly as bad, but they all look tired. Having them all changed, and I'll let you know how it goes, but I'm pretty confident that this should put the noise to rest.