1997 Chevy Blazer Grinding noise

DESIMN

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
188,000 MILES

I am getting a loud grinding noise that seems to be coming from the front driver's side tire area. Also, when pushing down on hood on the driver's side, you can hear a "clunking" noise as well. It is only happening on the driver's side though. The four wheel drives seem to be engaging and disengaging without a problem. What else could cause this noise? I few months back I replaced both front tires due to very uneven treadwear to the inside of the tires.

Friday, December 5th, 2008 AT 3:44 PM

1 Reply

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Hello
Thanks for the donation

It sounds like you have wheel bearings that are worn. Raise vehicle and support. Try moving wheel with one hand at top and one at bottom of the wheel, pushing forward with top hand and pulling outward with bottom hand. If the wheel wobbles a bit, then the bearings are bad. Worn wheel bearings will also cause poor tire tread wear because the bearings are allowing the tire to lean inward or outward more than it should be.

While you are checking for bearings, you can also check ball joints. Simply use the same method as above, except this time place hands on left and right sides of wheel and then push in one side, pull out other side. If wobble is present, ball joints need replacing. This too can cause poor tire tread wear.

Hope this helps.
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Friday, December 5th, 2008 AT 7:38 PM