I have a 74 Blazer with a 5.3 Vortec and a TH350. I’ve had it for almost a year. My son was driving it the other day and said someone pulled out in front of he so he slammed on the brakes and skid but did not hit anything. On the way home after that he said it sounded like he was “drifting”. I took it for a test drive to see what he was talking about and to me everything seemed fine. (I had only made right hand turns up to that point). As soon as a made a left turn I felt what he was talking about. Any ideas??
CK5
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74 Blazer makes grinding noise and tires seem to skid when turning left
- Thread starter TyBlaze74
- Start date
How are the flexible brake lines in front? I'm wondering if the left one is old and not allowing fluid back up to the master, which releases the brake caliper.
I took it to a local shop yesterday and told them my issues. He drove it and put it on a lift. Said the hubs were fine no brakes were stuck. He said he has had a couple K5s and it was normal in a sharp left turn for it to do that.
I’ve been driving it for almost a year and it’s never sounded like this before. Something is definitely wrong. I just don’t know what it is.
I’ve been driving it for almost a year and it’s never sounded like this before. Something is definitely wrong. I just don’t know what it is.
I would check the wheel bearings. If they go bad or the adjuster loosens, the angle of the rotor with the caliper can change as the wheel changes direction. Is this a full-time 4x4 truck? If a front axle U-joint goes bad it can cause weird steering effects or noises/pulsing while turning. Having just had a panic stop, it's possible the caliper slides or piston is hanging up, but that should have some other obvious effects.
'74 is too early for auto locking hubs, but they can do weird things like that. Is there a locker or limited slip up front?
'74 is too early for auto locking hubs, but they can do weird things like that. Is there a locker or limited slip up front?
Did you try locking and unlocking the hubs - to be sure they're kicking in and out? I'm just imagining some chance the inertia of a panic stop could make the knob turn some. When you steer, there is a slight tendency for the axle shafts to move side to side. They are partly floating in there.
Not necessarily. U-joints can be completely seized and look fine visually.
They might have some rust coming from behind the caps, if the needles are rusting.
Maybe have the alignment checked. It’s also possible he sheared a leaf spring center bolt and the axle shifted. That could cause a tire sound.
Glad your here. This is the best forum on the net!
One other thing I noticed is some fluid stains on the inside of the front left wheel well and on the inside of the front left tire. Not sure if this is related to the grinding/ skidding sound during a slow speed left turn?
Fluid stains are either brake fluid or grease escaping wheel bearing seal.
Jack that side up and see if any play in wheel bearings. You shouldn't be able to move the tire/wheel enough to see it. Wiggle from top bottom and front rear.
While you have that side up lock the hub and turn the wheel. And binding or hard spots could be the axle shaft u joint binding. Might have to put t case in neutral, be sure to chock rear tires.
Welcome to CK5 @TyBlaze74
Jack that side up and see if any play in wheel bearings. You shouldn't be able to move the tire/wheel enough to see it. Wiggle from top bottom and front rear.
While you have that side up lock the hub and turn the wheel. And binding or hard spots could be the axle shaft u joint binding. Might have to put t case in neutral, be sure to chock rear tires.
Welcome to CK5 @TyBlaze74
Your son was scared when the event happened
