1997 Chevrolet Blazer LS from North America - Comments

I have a 1997 Blazer 4x4. Has anyone replaced the lower ball joints?

If so do you have to remove the uppers to install the lowers?

Thank you.

P.S. My Chilton book is practically useless.

Ross.

I own a 97 Blazer LT, and it has been nothing, but a problem in the 3 years I have owned it.

Here's my list of repairs:

All ball-joints - twice

All tie-rods

Idler, and pitman - twice

(basically I repair the front end every year)

Water pump - twice

Intake Gasket - twice

Radiator

Thermostat - twice

Fuel pump

Front brakes - THREE times

Oil lines - twice

Ignition switch - twice

O2 sensors

Both side mirrors because they shook until they broke off on the highway. Weeeee!

Here's the list of current problems that I now have to fix:

ABS module - stupid ABS light is on ALL the time

Entire cooling system - Losing coolant at a high rate and everything is gummed up because of dexcool

Rear wiper motor - stripped gear

Idler arm

Oil lines

Brakes

Hazard switch - at least I managed to fix this with a folded up piece of cardboard jammed down into it so I could have brake lights.

There are also the other blazer related issues. I hate this vehicle with all my being. I can't sell it because people know they are junk. I'm tired of paying for the same repairs every single year.

I maintain this vehicle very well, as I do all of my vehicles. It's just junk.

Anyone considering a purchase of one of these should seriously think twice. If they are still interested they should get their head examined, or get in touch with me and I'll sell you mine CHEAP.

I must have gotten one of the only decent Blazers manufactured in '97, reading all of the previous posts. I purchased it with 32,000 miles and now just turned over 146,000 miles.

The FM portion of the radio no longer works well... oh well, still have CD and AM radio!!

I did have to replace the tires @ 105,000... for the first time.

I have yet to replace the front or rear brakes, but I do check them every other oil change (3000 miles religiously). Surprising considering I trailer a boat almost weekly over an hour each way.

That's it other than oil changes (engine and trans) and tune-ups.

Too bad my wife chose a Honda CRV... 74,000 and we have replaced: tires, brakes (front and rear), fuel pump, intake manifold gasket, alternator and driver's side rear axle. I have spent more on repairs for the Honda (poor Honda warranty policy) than what I have into the Blazer... including purchase price.

Mike.

I started reading these posts to find out what the horrible squeaking sound is from my left front tire of my '97 Blazer. I've been complaining about it for a week now, but after reading these posts I realize I've been very lucky to have dodged most of the problems posted.

I bought it 6 years ago with 32,000 and it now has 165,000. In the past two years, I have put about 26,000 per year on it with a job driving long distances.

So far, I replaced the alternator 3 years ago (actually my Dad did it) for about $120 for the part, I did have the wiper motor go about 5 years ago, $90 to fix.

So far, I've done brake pads twice and did have the hard shift in the automatic transmission from 1st to 2nd gear around 120,000. Tranny guy wanted $1800 to rebuild, got my mechanic to replace on small valve for $300, so far, so good. I only need to get one more year out of it.

4x4 had a problem the first winter, got a used encoder motor for $100, my mechanic couldn't guarantee it because it was from the junkyard, knock on wood, five years later and it's still working.

Biggest expense was the AC compresser this summer, almost tried to live without it, but it was just too hot so invested the $600.

Now it looks like I'll be doing the upper and lower ball joints, heard it will be somewhere between $400 and $500 which hurts after the AC compressor, but it's been pretty good overall the past few years and fortunately, my mechanic is willing to be a little creative.

I think I drove it one year too long, should have sold it last summer! All I can say is get a second opinion, I was ready to trade it in with the tranny issue when I heard the $1800 but $300, that was reasonable and I've gotten another 47,000 miles out of it. Shop around until you find a reputable mechanic, they are out there! Good luck.

This seems to be an ongoing thread, Let me just state, I have a 97 blazer, have had 91 94, Astro 90, 92, Express van 99, Silverado 98, I will admit after having a lot of Chevy vehicles. (this list does not count all the vehicles from the 60's 70's and 80's) that the 97 blazer has more problems than the others. I'm a mechanic now I spend most of my time in dealerships all makes and in the local college training instructor. I still work on a lot of vehicles and help address many local problems. In recent years I have specialized in undercar repair. I have all the highest grade tools including complete obd readers and programing systems. I only state this to set the ground work for what I am about to say.

ALL VEHICLES have problems. Maintenance is critical. And when parts fail especially early (prematurely) or repeatedly. Find another source. I can tell you All Blazers have ball joint issues. The replacement brand is critical for longer life. A bargain part can cost you in the long run. Some dealer parts are inferior. Talk to a mechanic who is familiar with your vehicle and has alternate sources for parts.

There are companies out there that do research and manufacture better parts for vehicles who have inherent problems.

And remember this vehicle is now going to celebrate it's 10 years of on the road service.

Go to the sites where ford has had fire problems due to electrical problems. Toyota with its Wonderful transmission cost.

But now for the real reason I'm even writing in this link. I was disgusted with some of the cost you all are quoting from mechanics. some are in line with the repair some are way over priced. Get a second opinion. Call and get parts prices yourself to see what they coast retail. even if you are not going to do the work yourself. Allow 15% max markup for the shop overhead. (they do have a lot of equipment they have to pay for) There are manuals out there that set a flat rate time for parts to be replaced. don't be penalized because your mechanic is not familiar with your vehicle and or problem. And takes longer to do the work than he should. And makes you pay for him to learn.

Many times a higher priced flat rate shop will cost you less than a bargain hourly shop. think about it.

With the Internet you can find a lot of info about your problem before you take it into a good mechanic and make his job easier.

Good Luck and happy driving.

And remember stupidity and cars don't mix.

After reading these comments about the 97 Blazer I'm more than a little paranoid to drive this vehicle much further than the top of hill from my driveway - gravity power to get home.

Currently it is residing on Albert's lift - we can't even get it to fire never mind start. I've been stranded twice in the 3 months since I've owned this car. Previously in my 40+yrs of driving, I've been stranded a total of once.

I have a whole laundry list of parts replaced, similar to what you have read here, that now reside in the storage compartment in the wheel-wells.

MPG - how about PPM - parts per mile, factor that in to your real operating costs. I'll take my none computerized 14.5 MPG 69 Pontiac anyday over the crap being produced today.

I'm trying to find out what the annoying humming type noise is coming from the front passenger side wheel of my 97 Jimmy. I just replaced loud over sized tires and am now hearing this humming noise every 5 seconds when rolling down the road once I hit 45 MPH. The hum lasts for about 2 seconds, then goes away for about 3-5 seconds, then back again. I'm guessing it was there before my new tires, I just couldn't hear it over the howl of the old tires. I had it in to the shop when I got the tires and the he said the front right ball joint is showing signs of wear, but will be O.K. for awhile. So... long story short I'm looking for the signs that my ball and or U joints need to be replaced? Is this the cause of the humming noise?

Thanks.

Matt.

I think it could be a rear end or drive shaft bearing on there way out. Don't underestimate a 18 year old, just a suggestion. I hope it works.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm also wondering if it could be related to the new tires, maybe the tire isn't balanced properly??? I may rotate the tires and see if I still hear the hum up front.

Bought a 1997 Chevy Blazer back in 2000. I read through all of the comments posted here back and I never laughed so hard in my life!...because I experienced many of these problems as well.

The body and interior look impeccable, but I have had many problems since then with the rest of the vehicle.

1) Replaced transmission w/labor $2700

2) Replaced fuel pump with labor $1200

3) Replaced front upper and lower ball joints more than once, and have recent;y heard a noise coming from that area and am debating replacing them again.

4) Rear wiper has not worked for over a year

5) Front windshield wipers don't work... just make a buzzing noise

6) Passenger mirror loosened and finally came off

7) O2 sensors

I can't afford to buy another vehicle and face these expensive repair costs again... will probably drive this for a while and buy overcompensate by buying a Toyota Camry next just to avoid the headaches.

Take care and happy driving!!

I have a 97 4.3L blazer, I am getting a Knock sensor error. The manual tells me that there is 2 Knock Sensors, but there is one missing. The problem showed up after the Computer was replaced. Is it possible that some versions of this car had only 1 Knock sensor and had a special version of the computer to handle it. any comments would be welcome.

Mick.

I am actually glad to see I'm not the only one who made the decision to buy a headache. I bought a used '98 Blazer 4x4 in 2004 with 96K and it now has 132K on it. It was great at first then I started having many similar posted issues. Rear wiper motor was the first to go, then I had multiple issues starting it due to an after market alarm with auto start. Once alarm was removed it started fine. Next it starting to thrust forward when switching gears (it's an automatic). I took it to AAMCO and they wanted to rebuild the whole transmission of course, so I took it to a small town tranny mechanic and he solved the problem by replacing a solenoid for about $150. It's been shifting fine for over a year now. Fuel pump went, leaving me stranded, and had it replaced, this was done about 6mths ago and I'm noticing some lag in it turning over already. If your car won't turn over try banging on the fuel tank it may unlock the fuel pump - that helped me for awhile. Front wipers had a mind of their own and would play tricks on me like stop working during torrential downfalls, however this was fixed when my mechanic replaced some computer panel (not too expensive). Ball joints have been replaced and two days ago I had the right front wheel bearing replaced as it was creating a humming/vibrating sound that was increasingly growing louder. That has stopped and was about $300.00 to fix including the alignment being fixed, which my mechanic threw in. Just yesterday the Service Engine Soon light came on. Does anyone know how serious this is? The manual makes it sound like it's all emissions sensor issues. Anyway I'm looking forward to having this paid off this year. Unfortunately, I'll be looking at a different brand than Chevy. Any 4x4 SUV suggestions let me know.

Wow, so many problems listed in this blog. I am the original owner and the 97 blazer 2x4 LT is one of the best most reliable vehicles I owned. It now has 136000 miles on it. Of course one must expect to do the normal maintenance so I am not going to list that stuff. I have replaced a water pump, hoses, and alternator at about 80k miles-that is about it. My AC must have a small leek for I need to give it a couple of cans of gas before summer. My air bag light came on at about 100K miles for the airbag. Dealer noted about $600 to repair/replace the main module so I skipped that. I plan to drive it 2 or 3 more years. I have always passed California Smog by putting in new plugs and filter before the test. I will know if this works again in a few days.

OK I have a 97 blazer and it is the worst car I have ever owned. I strongly Discourage any one from ever buying one of these. Please don't do it.

I've owned a '98 Chevy Blazer for a few months now. I bought it at 62,000miles, and it worked just fine, minus the electronic outside mirrors... Which I haven't really minded because they move manually if I need them too.(now at 80,000m)

The first thing to go was the compressor, had to have it entirely replaced.

And after that it's been fine...

Until now. I just got new tires, replaced the rear breaks and rotors, and had my break fluid changed.

Drove it home... No problems.

As soon as I leave to go to class later on that evening, I noticed that it was giving me a problem accelerating to 65mph... And that the RPM gauge is hesitating, and at that point my Service Engine Soon light has come on... Does anybody have any idea what it could be? I'm getting it checked out, but even so, after dropping a grand on it two days ago I would like an idea of what I'm looking at. Thanks!

~Tris.