Any Ideas ? 1993 Chevy Blazer (joint, brakes, best, chip)

[theqbaby]

We have been struggling with this truck for 2 months now. Have had it at 2 different shops and countless neighborhood (certified) mechanics trying to figure it out.

Problem : Sounds like something (metal) binding up and releasing. A big "snap" so to say. Really hard to describe. Sounds like rear end gears stripping. Does not happen all the time, just at random times. Sound comes from rear, as best we can guess.

We have had the transmission rebuilt (had bad torch converter).
Rebuilt the rear end (completely )
Rebuilt the transfer case (4X4 by the way )
Front end rebuilt (tie rods ect.)
New brakes

Not all of these have been done because of the noise, just wanted to list the most recent repairs.

Truck is in good condition, paid for BUT has 206,000 mile. Runs good with this exception.

Everyone tells us that it is a good truck, too good to scrap. I am not comfortable driving it too far. I live rurally and am afraid to break down at night too far from home, or have something seize up or fall off and cause a bad accident.

My thought, "Let her die" Its been a good truck, got lots of miles out of her, maybe its just time.
Husband, "No way" Has got to find the problem. It has become an obsession for him and his friends.

Any ideas ???

[Bydand]

Sure sounds like the 4 wheel isn't disengaging all the way and you are getting binding because of it. That is the first thing that popped into my head, but it could be so many things it is hard to guess from here . So for my BEWAG (Best Educated Wild A$$ Guess) that would be where I would check first. Front Hubs first, then check to see if the transfer case really is in 2 wheel on the dry roads.

[theqbaby]

Thanks for your reply !
I will definitely pass on the suggestion.

As far as the hubs..... it is automatic 4X4, meaning you do not lock in the hubs.
They have completely removed the transfer case and rebuilt it.
Now I am just a girl, so I could be wrong but when they removed the transfer case..........
could it still be in 4 wheel drive after replacing it.

Not questioning your thoughts, just trying to understand.

[usafracer]

Have the u-joints been replaced lately. If you have one going bad it could be binding up.

[theqbaby]

Yes, new U-joints also !

[oadon]

Rebuilt the rear end (completely ) based on your discription of sound and what you call a snap
my best guess.. pinongear alinment which may have chiped a tooth on the gear..measerments on a rebuild are critcal if your crew are cert..have them recheck there work..corse this is also just a guess

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by theqbaby

Thanks for your reply !
I will definitely pass on the suggestion.

As far as the hubs..... it is automatic 4X4, meaning you do not lock in the hubs.
They have completely removed the transfer case and rebuilt it.
Now I am just a girl, so I could be wrong but when they removed the transfer case..........
could it still be in 4 wheel drive after replacing it.

Not questioning your thoughts, just trying to understand.

I have had the worse luck with automatic hubs over the years. Usually junk them out and put in manuals on my vehicles if I can buy a set.

[okie333]

Originally Posted by oadon

Rebuilt the rear end (completely ) based on your discription of sound and what you call a snap
my best guess.. pinongear alinment which may have chiped a tooth on the gear..measerments on a rebuild are critcal if your crew are cert..have them recheck there work..corse this is also just a guess

I agree with you. To the OP: Just a question but why did the mechanic rebuild your rear axle? what was included in the full rebuild? what did he replace? Usually unless you have water in there, mud or haven't changed gear oil in a LONG time that might be qualified to rebuild a rear axle but sometimes its better just not messing with them.They usually last longer than the truck or car its on, unless you have put a huge amount of stress on it like towing or wheeling or taking the axle out of the truck and letting it rust in a field. Alot of the time you rebuild an axle and it will cause more problems because it wasn't done right. More than likely if its a one stop shop and not a place that specifically specialises in rear ends it is more than likey the case.

just my 2 cents

[theqbaby]

Originally Posted by okie333

I agree with you. To the OP: Just a question but why did the mechanic rebuild your rear axle? what was included in the full rebuild? what did he replace? Usually unless you have water in there, mud or haven't changed gear oil in a LONG time that might be qualified to rebuild a rear axle but sometimes its better just not messing with them.They usually last longer than the truck or car its on, unless you have put a huge amount of stress on it like towing or wheeling or taking the axle out of the truck and letting it rust in a field. Alot of the time you rebuild an axle and it will cause more problems because it wasn't done right. More than likely if its a one stop shop and not a place that specifically specialises in rear ends it is more than likey the case.

just my 2 cents

After my trani was rebuilt, the shop told me my rear gears were "rolling" and making a lot of noise.
Once they looked at the rear end, they realized that it needed to be done in a serious way. Said that I was fortunate that I had not lost the rear end at that point. This was not the same mechanic at the trani shop.
Again 1993 Chevy 4X4 , has towed a boat, several trainers and has lots of mileage. I have gotten lots of use out of this truck.
Had someone replace the gears, seals ect. I couldn't list everything they did off the top of my head at this moment.
They did not find any metal in the fluids before they rebuilt the rear.
I also had a mechanic tell me that these older chevys are know to have this problem.

I am really torn because we have pretty much gone through this truck in the past few months and it would be ashame just to let it die after putting so much into it.

I drove it today....... didn't make the noise once.

[okie333]

Originally Posted by theqbaby

After my trani was rebuilt, the shop told me my rear gears were "rolling" and making a lot of noise.
Once they looked at the rear end, they realized that it needed to be done in a serious way. Said that I was fortunate that I had not lost the rear end at that point. This was not the same mechanic at the trani shop.
Again 1993 Chevy 4X4 , has towed a boat, several trainers and has lots of mileage. I have gotten lots of use out of this truck.
Had someone replace the gears, seals ect. I couldn't list everything they did off the top of my head at this moment.
They did not find any metal in the fluids before they rebuilt the rear.
I also had a mechanic tell me that these older chevys are know to have this problem.

I am really torn because we have pretty much gone through this truck in the past few months and it would be ashame just to let it die after putting so much into it.

I drove it today....... didn't make the noise once.

hmm thats weird, not sure what your mechanic meant by "rolling" gears?
but in any case if he did the job right it shouldn't have problems, but that doesn't totally eliminate the possibility. What about your wheel bearings, did you get those replaced wen you had the axle rebuilt, meaning was it a total rebuild or just switching the differential. Sorry I can't be of more help I just can't think of anything else from what you've described.