New to Chevy Blazer : Boy Do I Need help!

Hello to everyone, hope someone can help me out, I just moved to the USA from the UK so i`m completely new to the Chevy brand, I recently purchased a Chevy Blazer, 2002, 4 door, 80k miles, I have noticed a rumbling sound coming from the front end of the car, I think its coming from the drivers side, I have done a little bit of internet r-search and it sounds like the front hub bearing assembly.
I took the car into a garage today and they wanted $700 to replace one side , the local auto parts store wants $185 per side for a DIY job, and I have found an internet site that does both sides for $149 for an S10 Blazer, I am confident that I can do the job myself, but what I dont know is what is the differance between a Blazer and an S10 Blazer, how do I know which car I have?

Any help / tips on the front hub assembly appreciated.

Atatched is an image of the Blazer that I own


Thumbnail Image

welcome to the site from across the pond!  Well, the s10 blazer moniker was dropped in 1997.  it is officially a blazer now!

Welcome!! 
We've got a howto in the DIY section on the replacement of the front wheel bearing that should detail it very well.  One thing is for sure, you pay for quality bearings. 

Does the noise change when you turn right? or left?

mumbles timken under my breath

Ok, thanks for clearing up the S10 Blazer issue, I have found the how to giude for replacing the hub bearing looks an esay enough job, just one question, when replacing the cv axle nut can you just tighten it, or do you need to torque it, if so does anyone know the recomended torque setting?
 
Yes the noise is less if I take right hand curve, also I think that I can feel a slight vibration on the driver side, I have to move back to the UK for 6 months in a years time so I want to spend the least amount of money as possible, but also to be safe as I carry my kids about in the car.
 
hillbillyinOhio, So you wouldnt recomend using the parts I found on the internet for $149 for a pair? Timken would be the best brand to go with then.
 
Just as a side note could someone tell me if I got a decent deal on the car, 2002 Blazer, no dings or rust, paint in really good nick, all good tires (tyres) this rumbling is the only fault I can find, 75k miles, paid $6700.

2 or 4wd??

EXCELLENT condition 4WD as yours in my area (zip code 17545) retails for 10K  Private party value in GOOD condition is 7800.  FAIR 7000.  This was including power everything, CD, but no sunroof or anything fancy. (KBB.com)

In your zip code, same options, it books for 8800 in excellent, 8200 good, 7300 fair (Private party).  Retail is 10,500.

Same is true for 2WD, but I think 4WD is more valuable and you can get more out of it when you sell it with 4-wheel.   So if you spend between $600 and $1500 to fix the rumbling then you got a decent price.  Obviously the less you spend, the better the deal.  If you have to spend $2100 to get it fixed, then you basically got the discounted price for having mechanical issues.  I don't think it will be NEAR that much to get it repaired, especially if you plan on doing the work yourself.

Good luck and WELCOME!

hillbillyinOhio: Its a 4wd.
 
TripleBlackBlazer: I guess that I couldnt call the car mint condition, but I think I could go with good, so seems like I got it for a decent price, even if I had to take it to the garage to get the repair done, but I think that I am going to do it myself though.

first item on page

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_parts/wheel_hub_assembly/chevy/s10.html

but i think these are the same.  I will ask my buddy who doest qc for timken tomorrow!  

ebay clicky

Welcome aboard, Mick! Gee, your Blazer looks kind of familiar, except mine is 2 wheel drive.

Welcome to the forum!

Nice Looking truck. Just like mine only yours is a couple of years newer. Good luck with your truck and welcome to the site.
 

When replacing the cv axle nut can you just tighten it, or do you need to torque it, if so does anyone know the recomended torque setting?

Axle nut torque is 103ftlbs.  

Thanks for the info on the torque settings, any of you guys heard of the Sonoma Wheel Hub Bearing, Dorman brand, there is a seller on E-Bay selling the units at #69 + $14 delivery, with 1 yaer warranty, the local Autozone sells them at $130inc tax, with one year warranty, I thought for the extra $36 I would buy two and replace both sides.
 
Would that be a wise move?

welcome!!

Thanks for the welcome Paddle_Girl.

Well the hub bearing replacement went well, I did both sides, first side took about 2hrs, 2nd side not rushing 80mins, easly job following Hanr3 excellent tutoriol, but, grrrrrrr the sound is still there, although not as loud! What could the noise be now, one thing that I forgot to mention in my first post was that both front tyres have worn on the inside edge, I guess that I should have took it for a free inspection before thinking straight away that it was the hub bearings.

welcome to the site and yea an inspection would of been a good idea

Ok, took the Blazer in for an inspection today, it needs:
Ball joints upper and lower (both sides)
Idler arm.
Pitman arm
Front end alignment
2 x tires.
$744, does that sound about right, or am I being stung?
 
 
 
 

for your area yea thats pretty decent for all of it parts and labor right?

Yup, all parts and labour, all parts carry a lifetime guarantee.
I have had the car done, all the noise has gone, it drives fantastic now, looking through this site there are many great sections on ball joint replacement and I think that I could have done these jobs myself, but as I over from the UK and have only a basic set of tools, I figured by the time I purchased all the tools I need and the time to do it, it was worth taking into the garage to get done, its put a big hole in my pocket but its done and i`m happy with the truck now.
 
Lesson learned, I`ll take someone with me who knows about Chevy`s next time I buy! 

That is a good price you got. My father in law for the same job was quoted $1,200.00 at Bell Tire, minus the 2 front tires.

aint that the truth not a blazer story but my buddy got a 95 camry that needed rack and pinion,half shaft,brakes,caliper's both sides,power steering hose the one that goes around the back side of the motor, oil change, new plugs, recharge the a.c. yea it was alot it came to almost 2000.00 for a shop to do it when then being a good friend i did it for him took me two days and cost him 450.00 bucks in parts.

Guys if any of you live in the Tulsa, Broken Arrow area I would highly recomend these guys: