1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help!

Ryebrook · 03-29-2006, 05:09 PM

Hi, I'm new to the forum, and have some questions on some repairs needed on my 1999 GMC Envoy.

First of all, I've been hearing some noise from the back end, and decided to get it checked out this week. Upon inspection, the mechanics determined I needed new axle bearings, and they also noticed that the car was not driving well in front, which I hadn't noticed before.

They quoted me the following:

Axle Bearings: $112 for parts, $196 for labor
New Steering Gear: $460 for parts, $195 for labor
New Ball Joints (both upper/lower): $370 for parts, $338 for labor

Total cost around $1600 - $1700

My dad happens to own an auto parts store, and is able to get me the parts at a substantially lower price. Also, I quoted out the job at a shop back home for a lower labor rate. However, the first time I can get in there to get it fixed is Friday, April 14th (Good Friday).

My main question is the following: Is it ok to wait a couple of weeks to get these problems fixed? What could go wrong in the meantime?

I am looking at a savings of around $800-$1,000 total if I wait. At this point, I only hear some bearing noise in the rear, and hadn't noticed the problems up front (steering gear, etc).

Thanks for any advice.

SteveI · 03-30-2006, 12:49 PM

Back in 2004 I dumped a shade over $1600 into my 2000 Jimmy.

Upper and Lower Balljoints (all 4)
New Idler Arm
New Pitman Arm
New brakes
Rebuilt rear end (seals, bearings etc and installed Posi carrier) (posi carrier I already had)

Ryebrook · 03-31-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SteveI

Back in 2004 I dumped a shade over $1600 into my 2000 Jimmy.

Upper and Lower Balljoints (all 4)
New Idler Arm
New Pitman Arm
New brakes
Rebuilt rear end (seals, bearings etc and installed Posi carrier) (posi carrier I already had)

I am curious when I get a second opinion whether there is any wear in the steering gear or not. Typically, those are pretty bomb proof.

The idler arm and ball joints are something I can understand needing replacement. By getting the parts at cost, I'll save quite a bit of money on the job.

SteveI · 03-31-2006, 09:56 AM

Yeah, the steering gear thing is fishy. Are they talking about the actual steering box or something else?

Ryebrook · 03-31-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SteveI

Yeah, the steering gear thing is fishy. Are they talking about the actual steering box or something else?

The actual steering box.

Rob454 · 03-31-2006, 11:58 PM

Ive heard of steering boxes going bad but usually its due to really big tires. but anything is possible. You can replace the steering box yourself. Its pretty much a remove and replace kind of deal. Just make sure the wheels and the steering wheel are pointed straight ahead. pull the pitman arm with a puller. Unbolt the PS lines and the box off the frame and the steering column and then put the new one in Bolt it all back up with soem threadlocker and youre done. Mabey take a 1-2 hrs depending on your mechanical skills.

The rear axle depending on which bearings ( the outer bearings or the carrier bearings/ pinion bearings). the outer bearings are fairly easy although time consuming.
the Pinion or carrier bearings are best left to someone who knows what theire doing but even those arent hard.

ball joints rarely go bad on blazers unless you just simply dont service them or run huge tires. those I woudl let someone do the lowers. the uppers are pretty easy. grind off the rivers. punch them out install the new joints bolt them back in use threadlocker and youre done
Rob

STILL4WD · 04-03-2006, 08:41 PM

not common, i replaced mine twice already, now grant it, guy could have been pulling my chain but i thought it is common, guess not. I did my pinion and passenger side outter bearing, its a bit of a b*tch espcially if its chewed up....you want to make sure you get all that crap out of there.

ryebrook from you from anyways....rye brook, NY?

still tippin · 04-05-2006, 02:22 AM

I own a 2000 Envoy with 75k miles, i bought it used. The front right wheel bearing is going, the rear brakes needed to be turned, my 4 wheel drive isn't engaging, and the seal on my rear diff was leaking. However, having friends who work at a GMC dealership has it's payoffs, and now that my truck has the 22's on it, i guess everything will be ok.

03-29-2006, 05:09 PM	#1
Ryebrook Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: User is: OffLine	1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help! Hi, I'm new to the forum, and have some questions on some repairs needed on my 1999 GMC Envoy. First of all, I've been hearing some noise from the back end, and decided to get it checked out this week. Upon inspection, the mechanics determined I needed new axle bearings, and they also noticed that the car was not driving well in front, which I hadn't noticed before. They quoted me the following: Axle Bearings: $112 for parts, $196 for labor New Steering Gear: $460 for parts, $195 for labor New Ball Joints (both upper/lower): $370 for parts, $338 for labor Total cost around $1600 - $1700 My dad happens to own an auto parts store, and is able to get me the parts at a substantially lower price. Also, I quoted out the job at a shop back home for a lower labor rate. However, the first time I can get in there to get it fixed is Friday, April 14th (Good Friday). My main question is the following: Is it ok to wait a couple of weeks to get these problems fixed? What could go wrong in the meantime? I am looking at a savings of around $800-$1,000 total if I wait. At this point, I only hear some bearing noise in the rear, and hadn't noticed the problems up front (steering gear, etc). Thanks for any advice.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-30-2006, 12:49 PM	#2
SteveI Registered User Age: 33 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,184 Location: Omaha, NE User is: OffLine	Re: 1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help! Back in 2004 I dumped a shade over $1600 into my 2000 Jimmy. Upper and Lower Balljoints (all 4) New Idler Arm New Pitman Arm New brakes Rebuilt rear end (seals, bearings etc and installed Posi carrier) (posi carrier I already had)
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-31-2006, 09:25 AM	#3
Ryebrook Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help! Quote: Originally Posted by SteveI Back in 2004 I dumped a shade over $1600 into my 2000 Jimmy. Upper and Lower Balljoints (all 4) New Idler Arm New Pitman Arm New brakes Rebuilt rear end (seals, bearings etc and installed Posi carrier) (posi carrier I already had) I am curious when I get a second opinion whether there is any wear in the steering gear or not. Typically, those are pretty bomb proof. The idler arm and ball joints are something I can understand needing replacement. By getting the parts at cost, I'll save quite a bit of money on the job.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-31-2006, 09:56 AM	#4
SteveI Registered User Age: 33 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,184 Location: Omaha, NE User is: OffLine	Re: 1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help! Yeah, the steering gear thing is fishy. Are they talking about the actual steering box or something else?
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-31-2006, 12:34 PM	#5
Ryebrook Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help! Quote: Originally Posted by SteveI Yeah, the steering gear thing is fishy. Are they talking about the actual steering box or something else? The actual steering box.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-31-2006, 11:58 PM	#6
Rob454 Registered User Age: 37 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 190 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help! Ive heard of steering boxes going bad but usually its due to really big tires. but anything is possible. You can replace the steering box yourself. Its pretty much a remove and replace kind of deal. Just make sure the wheels and the steering wheel are pointed straight ahead. pull the pitman arm with a puller. Unbolt the PS lines and the box off the frame and the steering column and then put the new one in Bolt it all back up with soem threadlocker and youre done. Mabey take a 1-2 hrs depending on your mechanical skills. The rear axle depending on which bearings ( the outer bearings or the carrier bearings/ pinion bearings). the outer bearings are fairly easy although time consuming. the Pinion or carrier bearings are best left to someone who knows what theire doing but even those arent hard. ball joints rarely go bad on blazers unless you just simply dont service them or run huge tires. those I woudl let someone do the lowers. the uppers are pretty easy. grind off the rivers. punch them out install the new joints bolt them back in use threadlocker and youre done Rob
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-03-2006, 08:41 PM	#7
STILL4WD By Vin# only I Guess Age: 25 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 829 Location: Westchester NY User is: OffLine	Re: 1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help! not common, i replaced mine twice already, now grant it, guy could have been pulling my chain but i thought it is common, guess not. I did my pinion and passenger side outter bearing, its a bit of a b*tch espcially if its chewed up....you want to make sure you get all that crap out of there. ryebrook from you from anyways....rye brook, NY?
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-05-2006, 02:22 AM	#8
still tippin Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 1999 GMC Envoy Questions - Please help! I own a 2000 Envoy with 75k miles, i bought it used. The front right wheel bearing is going, the rear brakes needed to be turned, my 4 wheel drive isn't engaging, and the seal on my rear diff was leaking. However, having friends who work at a GMC dealership has it's payoffs, and now that my truck has the 22's on it, i guess everything will be ok.
	[Reply w/Quote]