Hi Everyone,

I need to replace parts on my front suspension, 2001 Blazer ZR2, such as tie rods, pitman arm and struts. The cause is just from general wear not off-road wear. I also have a pretty good amount of slop in the steering wheel. I am going to tackle this job myself but I was hoping to get some guidance and tips from one or more of you that has done this before. This will be my first crack at it so any manual or reference materials that any of you can recommend that is easy to follow, I'm all ears. Also is there anything else I should be looking to replace while I have it apart. I hope you can help

Matt

 

Check the idler arm too. Also you'll need a puler for the pitman arm. Also get a aligment. I used to go by the screw the tie rod in to the same spot but I've started to learn the new tie rods aren't always the same length

 

I would also check your ball joints and control arm bushings while your at it

 

they say if you replace 1 component, another isnt far behind it from failing. everything seems to work together up there, im really starting to hate this design.

 

If your diving in then buy a front end kit and skip nickel & dimeing yourself to death by replacing parts one at a time because their probably all worn out anyway. I got one off of fleabay, "Chassis One" brand from Canada which is the same quality of Autozones house brand. I picked up a bushing kit from energy suspension. Autozone has the specialty tools you'll need - free rental. Hopefully you have an impact wrench & sockets to make life easier. The "A" arms will need the joints pressed out, I took mine to the local repair shop. If you still have the original shocks this would be a good time to replace them since you'll have to pull them out anyway.

 

Thanks Boxer! I will definately check that out, ur right it makes more sense to just do it all. I want to do my shocks too. The rental idea is great, awsome tips!
I just purchased a new set of GM Factory Service Manuals for my Blazer on Ebay for only $10 a book still sealed- I had no bidders! Book 1 covers suspension, excellent reference.

Thanks for the tips everyone, sorry I wanted to get back to you earlier but I was having trouble logging in the past couple of days, I straightened it out

Thanks Blazin ur right

Thanks 69 and 84, I'll keep you guys posted and reach out to you, if you don't mind, when I tackle the job.

 

4 posts in a row in a matter of 10 min:P
no problem

if your doing ball joints and they are still stock, have fun!!!

3 ways I can think of to knock off the rivets..
1.) heat them up and wack them off with a hammer and chisel
2.) drill the heads then wack umm off
3.) use an air chisel to wack the heads off(this is what I did)

or any other way you can think of.

 

I rebuilt my complete front end 5 or 6 years ago. I replaced upper/lower control arm bushings, End Links, Torsion bar bushings, Upper/lower ball joints. Idler Arm, Center Link. Inner/Outer Tie Rod Ends. The upper control arm bushings I removed the Upper A Arm and took to a local shop to press out and in the bushings. The only item I paid to do was the lower control arm bushings and alignmert as I did not want to mess with the spring at that time. I think now I would have tackled the springs as well just get the spring compressor from Auto Zone for free.

Take note on the Upper control arm where the Alignment shims are located. Bag/Tape each side and if they are for the front or rear of the control arm. Otherwise you will never remember which shims went where.