Two problems related to ball joint have been reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Ball joint on passenger side failed with no warning. Vehicle has under 75,000 and has been well maintained.
The ball joints have significant play in them and are in need of replacement: this was noticed when tires that were new in November were found to be bald on the inner edge when I saw the steel belt. I thought it was perhaps the allignment but it turned out to be the ball joints allowing the wheels to toe outward. This I have subsequently found to be poor planning in the design of the factory ball joints in that they do not allow for lubrication or maintenance. On one side the wheel has play of approximately 1/2 inch the other side has signifcant play as well, but not as much. The failure was not catastrophic, I was advised by my mechanic not to drive the vehicle as the ball joints are degraded to a state that is unsafe.