Help with front end parts on 1987 blazer.

[BadBowtie]

Hey guys,

Im hoping so you can help me, were hhaving a warm spell here in canada and i need to do some work on my front end.

There seems to be a lot of play in the steering.

My truck is a 1987 s10 blazer 4x4.

If someone can tell me what are some common problems to look for and how to tell if they need replacing. it would be appreciated.

[4more]

well im a suspention/front end tech at a gm dealer so lets see if i can help http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif the most common thing is the idler arm-mounts center link to the fram on the pass side with the truck sitting on the ground push up on the centerlink it shouldnt move at all up and down if so the idler arm is most likly bad the pitman arm can also go bad but not as likly it connects the steering gear box to the centerlink test the same way.jack up the front end try to use jackstands on the control arm to make the wheels be not hanging down\"so the front end is at normal level\" move the wheels side to side and watch the other parts inner and outer tie rod ends and see if they have any abnormal play compar them to eachother. also ball joints are very common on the 4x4s with the front end still off the ground and stands or jacks on the lower control arms crap the wheel top and bottom and see if it tipps in or out then use a long pry bar to \"lift\" up on the bottom of the tireand see if the bottomball joint goes up and down in the knuckle the lowers normally move 1/8in but not more good luck pm me for any other help