I'm getin sick of hack mechanics

[plant.one]

Went in for an alignment special at a new shop here by me today - of course the cheap alignment ($40) is just the hook. He tells me i need inner/outer tie-rods and bushings. $290. "I take good care you buddy" "Call check price, great deal. You be ok buddy"

yea thanks, here's your $20 hoist fee that magically appeared, i'm calling my regular mechanic whos about 45 mins from me. He quotes me higher then says after he calls price checking parts that he can beat the price - as a courtesy - because i've used his shop multiple times and so does my bro and a fair selcection of my friends and co-workers.


My tie rods werent even bad! aparently its my RF steering knuckle and the front axel. Needless to say 7 hours later after all kinds of calling and whatnot to find parts pricing, my **** is still farked up.

So i'm off to the JY in a couple days to hopefully find me some good parts so i can get my baby back to tip-top.

My roommate has a fair bit of mechanical knowledge, and i'm not afraid of a lil work but should this be something i have the shop just do? or should i try to tear into it myself?

Hidden costs (bearings, seals, rotors, brake job in general) that i need to be aware of?

[droopy89]

Were the mechanics names Bubba or Junior?

[Mikz86TA]

Hahaha. Drew, ya beat me to it!

[Hammer Head]

LMAO.. Drew. Really, if you need a new knuckle & you're going to replace some stuff already, why not do the brakes & whatnot as preventive maintenance? unless you've already done the brakes now would be as good a time as any.

[plant.one]

Were the mechanics names Bubba or Junior?

No even worse... Ackmead or Mohummid. I'm not sure which. He was too busy calling me buddy and my brother.

[plant.one]

LMAO.. Drew. Really, if you need a new knuckle & you're going to replace some stuff already, why not do the brakes & whatnot as preventive maintenance? unless you've already done the brakes now would be as good a time as any.

yea. I need a good teardown book. I'm gonna tackle this and do it once, but theres no way i can get that kinda $$ right now to pay to have my front end done right.

so first questoin: Haynes or Chilton
2nd questoin: how much of this stuff can i reasonably JY? (obivously major assembly's only.. no bearings, seals, bushings etc)


I think i have reasonable mechanical skillsets, just not job specific knowledge to tear into this. Garage full of tools right at my fingertips.
Possible for me to finish this in 2 days would you say?

[Hammer Head]

I don't have any preference to manuals.. but I think Chilton does a better job w/ pictures & wording.

If you've got a jack, jack stands & all kinds of tools you should be able to handle everything you need to get done.

I'd say sure it can be done in 2 days w/ 2 guys... but if you need to read out of a book, add a little more time. Maybe 3-4 days to give you some cushion.

Good luck!!

[Mikz86TA]

hahahahahahaha LMAO !!! Hey buddy, buddy...hey buddy buddy Seriously. I feel you. Even in my line of work its tough to be an honest person. So many techs and mechanics are giving out a bad rep for all of us. Even when I have to break it down with bad news, I feel like some customers are not believing me and think...."hes one of them". SUX. Ive been a victim B4 myself. Im usually pretty keen nowadays to detecting the BS vs. the Truth. Im fortunate I either know or have the resources to learn how to do things myself. If you have to replace the knuckle, its a good time to do LCA bushings and Ball Joints and the Brakes like Jason said and Wheel Bearings....etc.No even worse... Ackmead or Mohummid. I'm not sure which. He was too busy calling me buddy and my brother.

[Hammer Head]

..Really, if you're doing the knuckles/spindles & want the 2" lowering ones now would be an excellent time since you already need one anyways. BTW, is you're truck 2 or 4wd?

[plant.one]

4wd.

now.. lets assume i have betwen 500-600 to work with to buy parts for my front end. Where do i spend it best knowing that i currently absolutely NEED to replace/purchase the following


1) Right Drive Shaft ($35 used)
2) Right Steering Knuckle ($75 used)
3) Wheel Bearings
4) Chilton Book

Would be good to replace

1) Brake Pads ($20)
2) Tie Rod Bushings
3) Ball Joints?
4) LCA Bushings?

Add to this list?

[plant.one]

would this be the right chilton?

Chevrolet Blazer, Jimmy, Typhoon, and Bravada, 1983-93
Author: Chilton
Edition: 001
Product Type: Books
ISBN 13: 9780801991103
ISBN 10: 0801991102
Copyright: 1999
http://www.delmarlearning.com/browse_product_detail.aspx?catid=11979&isbn=0801991102&cat1ID=AU&cat2ID=CHM

[Mikz86TA]

No. 93 is 1st gens last year and your 94 is 2nd gens 1st year. 94 is odd due to the ODB1 to ODB2 changeover. I believe its referred to as ODB1.5. But nevertheless, your chassis and all is 2nd gen standard

[plant.one]

then why do i have a first gen body style?

i though the pickups changed in 94 and the blazer/jimmy/bravada changed in 95?

[Mikz86TA]

OOPs....youre right. I forgot =( Yeah, thats the right one. Just as long as its the same book for your body style. They didnt go through the trouble to change much about it knowing its the last year

[plant.one]

ok. i was really starting to worry that my truck was a real b@st@rd child or something heheheh. Ordered.

[Mikz86TA]

I always get confused on the full size trucks back around 98-99 too. Well there was a Classic version. And the 00 Tahoes....if you got a Limited it was the old boxy style. Dammit GM, quit playing with my emotions! =)

[neo71665]

A good rule of thumb is that GM always carried the SUVs over one year compared to the trucks. I own both the Chiltons and the Haynes and the Chilton is tons better. Its the one I use more. I think I only paid $18 for mine at the parts store near here but I've seen them go on fleabay for $10 shipped.