Front wheel skipping

CHARLIEGIRL223

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
4.2L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
240,000 MILES

Passenger front wheel feels like it is not turning, it is making a noise which we thought at first was front wheel bearings but do not think that is the problem. Turning wheel all the way to right it feels like the truck is pushing it that it is not really free rolling. The noise does not seem to change slow or fast driving. Does it in four wheel or two wheel. Car was a fleet vehicle holds 50 lbs oil; pressure on idle 70 lbs on hwy transmission shifts right on money. Any help would be awesome. I am on disability a very small amount. Please help.

9 Replies

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey CHARLIEGIRL223,

How would you describe the noise?

Please have a read through this guide on CV axles.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-cv-axle-joint

Can you please visually check the condition of the front CV axle joint rubber boots and report back.

Is there a split in the boot with grease leaking?

Regards, Joe

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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 12:34 PM

CHARLIEGIRL223

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Hey thanks for the reply about my Chevrolet. This noise is more like the sound you would hear driving on a grooved highway. It is loud. The right front wheel does not free turn found out when I took it in a circle like front wheel drags or slides. It does not leak anything at all. I did notice something else when I put on the breaks it makes like a growling noise and feels as if its pushing the brake pedal up

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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 6:23 PM

CHARLIEGIRL223

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JoeTechGuy

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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 9:49 PM

JOETECHPRO

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705 POSTS

Hey CHARLIEGIRL223,

It does sound like potentially a wheel bearing issue.

Please read the following guide on wheel bearings, specifically the part on what happens when wheel bearings go bad.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-front-wheel-bearings-and-seals

I would advise jacking up the front of the vehicle and checking for play.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have further questions.

Regards, Joe

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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 10:16 PM

CHARLIEGIRL223

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Hey Joe, yesterday finally got under front end of Blazer. I found that my car has both upper ball joints ready to fall out. Opened up gear box no oil in there or pretty close to none. I am in shock I had a tie rod end done and was never told about ball joints.
Could these be the focus of my issues?
How hard are these to do?

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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 6:04 AM

CHARLIEGIRL223

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8 POSTS

This is all that was in it. Not good huh?

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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 7:07 AM

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey CHARLIEGIRL223,

If they sold you a tie rod end they should have checked the rest of the suspension at the same time.

This could be the cause of your skipping issues if there is excessive play in those ball joints the wheel can shift when loaded/turning.

I would change the transmission oil filter and refill the transmission.

I will attach the instructions for the ball joints and transmission service below.

I would ensure that your wheel bearings and other front end components are in good condition also.

Regards, Joe

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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 10:38 AM

JOETECHPRO

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Hey CHARLIEGIRL223,

Ball joint repair instructions below for the lower and upper.

Regards, Joe

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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 10:40 AM

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
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Hey CHARLIEGIRL223,

Instructions on replacement of transmission oil filter and refill below.

The transmission should take 4.7L of oil after filter replacement.

Regards, Joe

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