Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

What did you do to your GMT today?

Trailblazer and Envoy related, but not off-road related...

by Moots1288 » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:35 pm

Replaced lower ball joints.
User avatar
Moots1288
Veteran
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:42 pm
Location: Long island
Name: Moots
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by JorDaneeKey » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:34 am

Moots1288 wrote:Replaced lower ball joints.


Saw your instagram video. Was I mistaken or did you confirm that you've done those recently? If so, any idea how they went again so quickly?
As told by the other half: Build Thread
User avatar
JorDaneeKey
Addict
 
Posts: 829
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:52 am
Location: Fl, Clearwater
Name: JorDanee
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Expedition Rated

by Moots1288 » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:47 am

JorDaneeKey wrote:
Moots1288 wrote:Replaced lower ball joints.


Saw your instagram video. Was I mistaken or did you confirm that you've done those recently? If so, any idea how they went again so quickly?

You're not mistaken, I replaced the whole a-arm with the mevotech complete LCA and I have been having a clunk coming from the front end. So I went I went to investigate and I found this ballpoint just pretty much at it's wits end. The other lower was not bad at all, I did change it though just to be safe. For the reason it went.. I don't know I'm still trying to figure it out. Could just be faulty seeing the other one was fine or whatever that clunk is, most likely my rack and pinion could have been the culprit somehow?
Last edited by Moots1288 on Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Moots1288
Veteran
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:42 pm
Location: Long island
Name: Moots
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by v7guy » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:47 am

JorDaneeKey wrote:
Moots1288 wrote:Replaced lower ball joints.


Saw your instagram video. Was I mistaken or did you confirm that you've done those recently? If so, any idea how they went again so quickly?



they were mevotech arms, I would assume they were their own brand of balljoints. Matt is extremely good about greasing the greasable joints in his suspension so I would make a guess they are just cheap balljoints and they lasted accordingly. I suppose this is an indication that maybe a better balljoint is desirable. I helped him install them about 6 months ago.

It still may be a better option to replace the arms than go through all the work of replacing the bushings, maybe not though.

I also have to wonder if the high rate of wear we see in our suspension up here is due to the extraordinarily shitty roads.
build thread

All things in moderation, including moderation.
Some people never go crazy... what truly horrible lives they must lead
User avatar
v7guy
Moderator
 
Posts: 3712
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:17 pm
Location: NY, long island
Name: Jason
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by JorDaneeKey » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:57 am

Moots1288 wrote:
JorDaneeKey wrote:
Moots1288 wrote:Replaced lower ball joints.


Saw your instagram video. Was I mistaken or did you confirm that you've done those recently? If so, any idea how they went again so quickly?

You're not mistaken, I replaced the whole a-arm with the mevotech complete LCA and I have been having a clunk coming from the front end. So I went I went to investigate and I found this ballpoint just pretty much at it's wits end. The other lower was not bad at all, I did change it though just to be safe. For the reason it went.. I don't know I'm still trying to figure it out. Could just be faulty seeing the other one was fine or whatever that clunk is, most likely my rack and pinion could have been the culprit somehow?



What part/brand did you use as a replacement?
As told by the other half: Build Thread
User avatar
JorDaneeKey
Addict
 
Posts: 829
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:52 am
Location: Fl, Clearwater
Name: JorDanee
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Expedition Rated

by Moots1288 » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:13 am

JorDaneeKey wrote:
Moots1288 wrote:
JorDaneeKey wrote:[quote="Moots1288"]Replaced lower ball joints.


Saw your instagram video. Was I mistaken or did you confirm that you've done those recently? If so, any idea how they went again so quickly?

You're not mistaken, I replaced the whole a-arm with the mevotech complete LCA and I have been having a clunk coming from the front end. So I went I went to investigate and I found this ballpoint just pretty much at it's wits end. The other lower was not bad at all, I did change it though just to be safe. For the reason it went.. I don't know I'm still trying to figure it out. Could just be faulty seeing the other one was fine or whatever that clunk is, most likely my rack and pinion could have been the culprit somehow?



What part/brand did you use as a replacement?[/quote]
I replaced it with moog.. I had the same problem with my mevotech upper ball joints that I had and then replaced those with moogs and they have been fine since. I've wondered if its the roads to Jason, more like I know it's the roads, and they're not getting any better anytime soon in New York City.
User avatar
Moots1288
Veteran
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:42 pm
Location: Long island
Name: Moots
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Moots1288 » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:35 am

v7guy wrote:
JorDaneeKey wrote:
Moots1288 wrote:Replaced lower ball joints.


Saw your instagram video. Was I mistaken or did you confirm that you've done those recently? If so, any idea how they went again so quickly?



they were mevotech arms, I would assume they were their own brand of balljoints. Matt is extremely good about greasing the greasable joints in his suspension so I would make a guess they are just cheap balljoints and they lasted accordingly. I suppose this is an indication that maybe a better balljoint is desirable. I helped him install them about 6 months ago.

It still may be a better option to replace the arms than go through all the work of replacing the bushings, maybe not though.

I also have to wonder if the high rate of wear we see in our suspension up here is due to the extraordinarily shitty roads.

Another thing that I didn't like about he mevotech lowers is no castle nut... And very often I'd have to go up under the truck and torque the nylon lock nut down again, and I'd get 1/4-3/8s of a turn every time.
User avatar
Moots1288
Veteran
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:42 pm
Location: Long island
Name: Moots
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by fishsticks » Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:19 am

We recently had to do a lower ball joint in the black TB that had failed prematurely.


Mevotech LCA. I'm seeing a pattern here.
11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
User avatar
fishsticks
Moderator
 
Posts: 4356
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:30 pm
Location: WA, Vancouver
Name: Donny
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Extreme Offroader

by Moots1288 » Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:29 pm

fishsticks wrote:We recently had to do a lower ball joint in the black TB that had failed prematurely.


Mevotech LCA. I'm seeing a pattern here.

Donny how long were those mevotech arms on your truck?
User avatar
Moots1288
Veteran
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:42 pm
Location: Long island
Name: Moots
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by fishsticks » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:43 pm

Moots1288 wrote:
fishsticks wrote:We recently had to do a lower ball joint in the black TB that had failed prematurely.


Mevotech LCA. I'm seeing a pattern here.

Donny how long were those mevotech arms on your truck?



A year maybe? Not much abuse either since I got the Yota soon after I put them on.
11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
User avatar
fishsticks
Moderator
 
Posts: 4356
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:30 pm
Location: WA, Vancouver
Name: Donny
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Extreme Offroader

by Moots1288 » Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:20 pm

fishsticks wrote:
Moots1288 wrote:
fishsticks wrote:We recently had to do a lower ball joint in the black TB that had failed prematurely.


Mevotech LCA. I'm seeing a pattern here.

Donny how long were those mevotech arms on your truck?



A year maybe? Not much abuse either since I got the Yota soon after I put them on.

I think I've had mine for probably 6-7 months maybe wheeling once or twice and just New York City driving really... They're probably cheap ball joints, te bushings still seem fine.
User avatar
Moots1288
Veteran
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:42 pm
Location: Long island
Name: Moots
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by v7guy » Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:18 am

Spent most of the day fixing the sunroof, somewhere around 9 hrs. I could probably knock about 2-3 hrs off that the second time. Pretty much every piece in there was cracked or completely broken, it was unfortunate. The early model sun visors suck to remove and install. Also zip tied the CB coax loosely to the roof so it stops slipping out from under the headliner and replaced a couple "map light" bulbs.


some quick pics I took, didn't make a write up cause hatchet over on GMTnation did a fine job. you can find it here


Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
build thread

All things in moderation, including moderation.
Some people never go crazy... what truly horrible lives they must lead
User avatar
v7guy
Moderator
 
Posts: 3712
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:17 pm
Location: NY, long island
Name: Jason
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by mikekey » Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:19 am

Looks good Jason, thanks for the link. This is something I've been meaning to do. 9hrs has me worried. Our has been broken since we took it to Utah.
Once lifted 03 Trailblazer on 35's, gave it up to travel the USA with my family.
User avatar
mikekey
Lifer
 
Posts: 2585
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 4:08 am
Location: North America
Name: Mike
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Expedition Rated

by Blazintrails03 » Sun Aug 18, 2013 5:31 pm

Swapped my trans pan out for the dorman pan and replaced the filter.
The unofficial hat guy of ORTB viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4325

BUILD THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=74&t=5377&p=106362#p106362
Blazintrails03
Trail-Blazer
 
Posts: 359
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:56 pm
Location: VA, Manassas
Name: Bobby
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by Opeth » Sun Aug 18, 2013 7:38 pm

Shit.... I just ordered the mevotech lower control arms, there sitting here in the boxes.
User avatar
Opeth
Addict
 
Posts: 846
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:46 pm
Location: NY, Solvay
Name: Cody
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by Moots1288 » Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:35 pm

Opeth wrote:Shit.... I just ordered the mevotech lower control arms, there sitting here in the boxes.
The bushings are fine just watch the lowers, one was still fine and the other was gone.. Maybe you'll have good luck.
User avatar
Moots1288
Veteran
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:42 pm
Location: Long island
Name: Moots
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by v7guy » Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:52 pm

When Matt says "lowers" I'm guessing he's talking about the lower balljoints.
build thread

All things in moderation, including moderation.
Some people never go crazy... what truly horrible lives they must lead
User avatar
v7guy
Moderator
 
Posts: 3712
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:17 pm
Location: NY, long island
Name: Jason
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Opeth » Sun Aug 18, 2013 10:46 pm

Yea I knew what he meant. The boots all look fine and joints are stiff... I guess we'll soon find out.
User avatar
Opeth
Addict
 
Posts: 846
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:46 pm
Location: NY, Solvay
Name: Cody
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by Moots1288 » Sun Aug 18, 2013 10:53 pm

Opeth wrote:Yea I knew what he meant. The boots all look fine and joints are stiff... I guess we'll soon find out.
hopefully they're fine for you man! And make it to tecore :)
User avatar
Moots1288
Veteran
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:42 pm
Location: Long island
Name: Moots
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by rickyreese » Sun Aug 18, 2013 11:31 pm

Got the 3" Body Lift put on this weekend and my rear diff cover.
Attachments
blazer diff cover.jpg
Blazer body lift.jpg
2005 LT, 3" body lift, 2.5" Space lift, tires that are now too small
rickyreese
Newbie
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:21 pm
Location: CA, Modesto
Name: Ryan
Vehicle Year: 2005
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD

PreviousNext

Return to Truck Discussion