Greetings, I just picked up a '99 Blazer LS ZR-2 4x4 and drove it home. Runs great, shifts great, but there is a noticeable thump, almost like a flat spot on a tire that can't be felt thru the steering wheel. Could this be a axle issue or a hub issue? I have never had a 4x4 before so I am needing some advise here.

The only thing I can relate to it is when a wheel bearing goes on a normal front axle.

Can't hardly feel anything when up to speed but when coming into a light or stop sign, it is thumping.

Truck has 162K miles on it, automatic tranny.

Thanks!!

 

61 looks and no ideas?

 

we own 3 blazers. without taking it for a ride I'd bet it's a hub bearing.

 

Did you check the tires & wheels to see if there's damage? It could be a damaged tire that has a broken band.

 

I looked at the tires and wheels, they are all terrain tires but I did not see anything wrong. Fairly new as a matter of fact. I need to jack each wheel up and spin them though, haven't had a chance yet. It just feels like there's something more than that going on.

 

Since it is coming from the front, you could temp swap the left and right wheel and see if the sound continues to rule out it being a tire.

 

I think it's coming from the front. Not totally sure. Going out with my buddy at 9pm break to check it out, he's more knowledgeable than I am about these 4x4s.

 

if you find out please let us know, ive been having the same issue on the front passenger side, does it happen when you brake, or just low speeds?

 

Well, he thinks it is coming from the rear. Drove it around, we have ruled out CV joints for sure. Still a possibility of something with the ABS he says. He has a scanner, gonna bring it in tomorrow and hook it up, see what it says.


erock273, I think it's always there, but it's really noticeable when you come into a light or SS at low speed. Next thing is I gotta jack each wheel up and spin them to see if there's anything noticeable with each wheel. Maybe I can do that tomorrow before I come into work at 2.30. If it doesn't rain........

 

Yea I've gotten too frustrated with it ...first I thought it was ball joints....replaced with moog..no difference. Thought it was caliper slide pins....cleaned and greases...nothing. Brake pads are fine , no vibration in there....shocks are brand new delcos...it does it worse when its humid/ wet out and rarely ..very rarely... It makes no noise at all..as you can tell it's driving me nuts haha