So i bought my first ever Chevy Blazer about a month ago ( used) a 1995 with 4wd. Within this month i have spent over $1500 in repairs and it still isn't running right! I paid $1100 for it and was told that all it needed was a tune up and brakes...so far i have gotten front brakes, lower ball joints which now the upper ball joints are going bad, rotors and calibers. I took it to the shop today and was told the pivot arm for the steering is bad, the sway bar is bent and the lower control arm is bad on the passenger side. My question is has anyone else experienced any of these problems or did i just buy a lemon? Oh, and also when i drive it's clicking noise coming from the rear wheels...what would cause that?

 

You bought one that was not well maintained. Don't blame the truck because it was not treated right by the previous owners.

 

Swing and a miss on that one! Maybe next time a qualified mechanic can do a soundness exam for you as part of condition of sale?

 

How many miles? Where was it driven for the last 20 years?

If the lower ball joints were bad, the upper were probably just as bad. I always replace all ball joints if one is bad because the others are close behind.

Brakes and Rotors are normal maintenance items. Calipers, never had to replace one. Not sure what a pivot arm is. Probably idler and/or pitman arm. Both require regular maintenance/lube. The tie rod ends are probably bad as well.

Lower control arms don't go bad unless damaged or rusted. The bushings in them may need replacing which is normal.

You'll need an alignment after all this is replaced.

After 20 years, the things that are bad are probably long overdue for replacement anyway.

The sway bar is about $100 and is easy to replace. The sway bar links will probably need replacing as well.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Visit the Blazer section for more answers.

 

I don't want to upset you, but I think you've been cheated... Investing in expensive cars is very risky. A car is like a phone or a computer, it is still expensive, and then every year its price falls, and you still lose money. There are, of course, exceptions, and some cars become rare and become expensive, but this is rare and very difficult to guess. If you are looking for something to invest in, financial advisors will help you in this matter. You can discuss your plans with them and they will advise you on the best options. I used their services before I started investing in stocks. They really help. I found out about them here yourmoneygeek.com

 

all vehicles are bad investments. I wouldn't touch anything that is over 10 years old unless its $500 or less. 10 yo +...Expect to put at least 2 to 3 thousand just to get it roadworthy. if you want no repairs...stay 3 to 5 years old.

I track my old used cars and this is what I paid doing the work myself and getting trade cost on parts:
-04 gtp grand prix bought for $4500.. $1500 repairs, 30 hours labour...,sold 5 years later for $3000
-2000 1500 sierra bought $500... $1000 repairs, 30 hours labour, sold 4 years later for $3000
-2007 ram 2500 bought for $1100 ...$4500 repairs 60 hours labour
-2005 bmw x5 $5300 (wife bought it..i fix it) $2000 repairs 25 hours and counting