answers QUICK!!

[siredward20]

I did some searching on here to find out as much as I can about the Jimmy and just want to get some opinions. Looking at a 98 Jimmy, 4dr, 4x4, 4.3. Looks to be in good condition, but does have a small oil leak. My concern is the stuff I've read on the ball joints. (can I assume ball joints is the same as bearings/hubs?) What do I need to look for when chekcing this thing out tonight. I'm a well versed mechanic so replacing ball joints should be no problem but I'm not up to speed on Jimmy's.

[Wingnut]

Ball joints aren't bearings or hubs.

[siredward20]

Ball joints aren't bearings or hubs.

 

 

alot places call ball joints bearings, I dont know why, even the bearing company here calls them bearings. Anyways, so the ball joints wear out and the bearings in the hubs? What else should I look for?

[95Sierra2500]

The ball joints go out on these fairly rapidly, but the hubs are actually pretty bulletproof. Watch out for the catalytic converter, once the original plugs, you HAVE to get one that is the correct size, not the 'universal' ones most auto parts stores stock. If you do that you'll be replacing it every 6 months. The cap and rotor is succeptable to heat (usually caused by the cat plugging and not allowing the exhaust gases to flow properly, causing extra heat in the engine bay, melts the caps and makes 'em go bad), and the CSFI system is prone to the poppet nozzles plugging up. This can be fixed by having a dealership perform a specific injection system cleaning (they use a special machine and their Top Engine Cleaner solvent), or by purchasing and installing the MFI conversion kit. The fuel pump is pretty much bulletproof, but if you ever have starting issues, check your fuel pressure. If these things don't have 65 psi or more with the key in the on position, then they don't like to start, and sometimes won't start. You'll either have a bad fuel pressure regulator or a bad pump, more often than not it's the pump. The 4-door trucks on some later years (I think starting in '98) have a trap door in the floor in the back over the pump so the tank does not have to be dropped, but the 2 doors do not.

 

Otherwise, they're great little trucks and I love the heck out of 'em.