1997 Chevrolet Blazer: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 4, 2007 · Suspension, Visibility · 125,000 miles · WV

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that the suspension front upper ball joint was making a popping noise. The failure caused the vehicle to shift, which made it impossible to align the front end. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. She also stated that the windshield wipers worked intermittently. Occasionally, the windshield wipers grind when activated. She stated that the wiper motor works, but the arms do not. If she jiggles the arms, the wipers would work temporarily. The current mileage was 130,000 and failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2005 · Suspension · 91,844 miles · TN

I took my 1997 blazer to alevander chevrolot because the front end was making a grinding and popping sound on 9/23/04 miles at time of service was 86,921 they told me all that was wrong was it was dry they charged me $222.94 and said they could not find anything else. Then on 8/14/05 miles at time is 91,844 which is less than 5,000 miles later the upper ball joint broke and the wheel fell over thank god we were in front of the house only doing 10 MPH or we could of been killed anyway all the dealer is doing is replacing the upper ball joints on both sides the lower they say is ok they are not replacing the wheel that was destroyed or for a front alignment which will be needed to save my tires.

Filed Feb 11, 2002 · Brakes · PA

Intermittently when brakes are applied, vehicle would continue on before stopping, and a grinding noise would come from front wheels. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Dec 14, 2001 · Suspension · IA

Upper and lower ball joints are worn out, causing squeaking in vehicle. Also, there was a recall on ball joints; but this vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated vehicle was not safe to drive.

Filed Apr 24, 2001 · Brakes, Engine · MI

Brakes squeak, idler arm not attached properly causing rattling and pulling while driving, windshield wipers stop working intermittently during use causing problems seeing outside, rear defrost does not work, fuel gauge gives incorrect readings and bobs back and forth, dex coolant turned to sludge causing blockages in heating core, engine block, and radiator

Filed Aug 4, 2000 · Brakes · MN

Abs brakes grind, causing failure. Brake pedal to floor and won't stop. Abs light stays on continually. I have had many near misses of rear-end accidents. Have been unable to get assistance in the repair. Warranty has expired and the cost to get this fixed/resolved has prevented my taking the blazer to a dealer for many months. Will be taking the blazer to a dealer on monday, august 7, 2000.

Filed Oct 18, 1999 · Brakes · IL

When at any speed and applying the brakes, brakes are hard and there is a squeaking noise coming from the brakes. Consumer has to hold his foot down on the brake pedal until the vehicle slows down and comes to a stop.

Filed Sep 9, 1999 · Airbags, Brakes · PA · crash · 1 injury

The vacuum and egr valve caused the problem with brake failure. Brakes felt like pushing on a brick when going downhill. Was making squealing noises. Had no brakes. Vehicle went over an embankment & flipped. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Dealer informed owner of intermittent problems with brakes. Driver has back problem due to accident.

Filed Aug 2, 1999 · Brakes · OH

Brakes squeaked when pedal was or was not applied. Extended stopping distance occurred. Dealer aware of problem. Repair work done at owners expense.

Filed Jul 29, 1999 · Brakes · MD

Excessive brake wear (replaced twice in 2 years). Often hard to stop. Grinding/thumping and then skids when brakes applied in 4wd.

Filed Jul 8, 1999 · Brakes, Transmission · MO

On three separate occasions the brake pedal went to the floor. The brakes are in good shape and the fluid level is fine. The brake pedal always feels spongy and its hard to stop the vehicle. The other complaint deals with the rear end. After the car has be en driven for about fifteen minutes the rear end will vibrate and make a grinding noise when the car takes off from a stop light or stop sign. I am the second owner of the car and it had 17000 miles on it when I bought it.

Filed Nov 18, 1998 · Brakes · KS · crash

From the time we purchased the vehicle, we had not been satisfied with the way the brakes functioned. Three times from the time of purchase to the date of the first accident, we had the vehicle in for the brakes to be checked. Including service less than two weeks (3/14/98) before the initial accident. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for collision repair and at that time we asked for it to be taken to service for the brakes to be fixed before we picked it up. When we called to check on the status, the collision manager told us that it would still be a few days because he picked it up from service when they said it was finished and they said there was nothing wrong with the brakes. He personally drove it back to collision and immediately took it back to service because he knew the brakes were not working appropriately. After that we were contacted because they found two hydraulic fluid leaks in the rear and all the brake pads needed to be replaced. This after they had supposedly checked out the brakes on march 14 and told us there was nothing wrong with them. We agreed to have them do the work and for the first day or two the brakes appeared to be working better. Within a week, however, they were functioning as poorly as always. The vehicle was involved in another accident on 10/30/98. It was another slow-speed (20-25 MPH) accident where I saw the accident happening, reacted and had time to think about the fact that I was going to crash. In both accidents, it wasn't as though they happened too quickly too react to. I was fully aware of what was happening, slammed on the brakes, and did not stop until hitting the other vehicle. There is also a low, grinding noise at these times when the brakes do not respond because there have been several other times when they have not responded, but it has not caused an accident. I was not issued a ticket in either accident as being at fault, however my insurance has had to pay for the repair of both vehicles because I hit