Les Schwab??

[evo rider]

I could use some opinions. Ive just aquired my k5 Blazer recently so I havent had much time to take it apart for any inspection. I dont know if Les Schwab was trying to take me for a ride or if my k5 really needs these parts. I took my blazer up there to have them inspect my loose steering and they wrote me up a quote for 1100 bucks. They took me into their shop and showed me my truck on their lift w/ the tires off. Visibly it looked like it needs tie rod ends and maybe drag links but they told me I need to do everything else down there too which included ball joints, the adjusting sleeve between the drag links, a steering stabilizer, u joints and bearings. For that kind of price Id get the parts and do it myself. Would it be better to do the tie rod ends and drag links myself or have them do the two parts for 350 bucks and then go from there. Are these two parts difficult to replace by the home mechanic?. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[DmaxMaverick]

Without seeing the parts in question, I'd have to say it does not sound unreasonable. If they are using quality name brand parts, the repair price doesn't sound too bad either. There'll be about 4 hours labor with all you have listed, and probably more if you do it in your driveway. Count on a weekend. If you have an Autozone nearby, you can get the tools from them at no cost (buy, use, return). Be sure to measure everything very closely before you tear into it. You'll need to get it to a shop for an alignment after you're done, and you don't want your tires pointing to different compass points. Save the labor money or spend it. It's up to you. The job isn't too bad, but can be a bear with ball joints, etc. If you do it yourself, start early in the day, so you'll have time to get to the parts store before they close. There's almost always something needed after you start.

[trbankii]

Last summer I redid the steering on my truck - new Moog tie rod ends, adjusters, idler arm, pitman arm, and steering stabilizer - for under $300 in parts from www.RockAuto.com

I'll almost guarantee that a shop will mark up the cheap components higher than you can get the good stuff for at RockAuto, by the way. Between knowing quality components were used and knowing that the time was taken to do the job right are why I do my own work in the first place.

Unless yours is significantly different or damaged in some other way, I'm not sure how a draglink would wear out - it is just a hunk of steel.

Adding in balljoints and u-joints will drive up the cost of parts. Unless you have the tools to do all the work, that will also add to the cost. But AutoZone is pretty good with the tools that they have available for "loan" for your project. So, as DMax says, it comes down to whether your time is more valuable than theirs.

As an aside, for alignment I just sighted across the wheels in relationship to the sides of the truck to get it the three miles to my mechanic for an alignment. He commented that it was extremely close and when I explained how I had gotten it aligned he just shook his head and said I had better eyes than him... :)

[btmurph]

I'd say if you're not up to doing the work yourself, you can't go wrong with Les Schwab. They are a reputable company that knows what they are doing and uses quality components. That being said, my experience was up in Susanville, CA in the mountains. There is a "new" one in Santa Rosa, CA (near where I live now) that I haven't been to where people have told me the kids behind the front counter don't know squat. Guess it depends on which one you go to... of course the counter guys weren't the mechanics and all Schwab's use the same parts.

[93_Burrito]

Since this is an '88 K5 Blazer, I was wondering if the front axle uses ball joints or kingpins...?

[ccatlett1984]

all blazers have ball-joints. only the one ton trucks with the dana 60 front axle have kingpins.