Hey everybody, read a lot from the site, but this will be my first post. Going to possibly buy a 2006 crew long LT with the LLY code. Truck has 85K and has is a single owner. I figure there is no need to pay somebody to look at the truck a power balance might be nice, but outside of that with the miles and the particular year I feel pretty safe (input here).
My Check List:
-front hubs
-brakes
-Egr valve (any input here would be helpful)
-Transmission lines
-belt
-ball joints
Drive it
-vibration in 4hi
-steering wheel clunk
-heated seat function
-climate control works
-cd changer
-Anyway to look for pump rub?

Please if you have a minute and some thoughts please share I've been around cars my whole life so I feel comfortable, but I still lack a lot of knowledge about these trucks. This will be my second one!

Most of those items are a non-issue that will be present on almost any Duramax you look at, or will be present in a few miles. Namely the trans lines, steering clunk, wheel bearings, egr, and possibly belt. All are cheap to fix and wouldn't turn me away.

Thanks for the reply. I feel pretty good about the truck, which is why I'm checking it out myself. My concern was that I might be unaware of something important to check for. Or any indicators of long term issues or neglect.

Tranny cooler lines for leaks and steering shaft clunk. I have had 3 sets of cooler lines put on mine in 34k miles. Had steering shaft and bushing replaced and it came back. A post said to put a cable tie around bushing and shaft and it has been good for several thousand miles! Check to see if plastic bushing on shaft is green.........that is the updated one however I am not sure that is the end all. Search for steering shft clunk and check out other fixes. Did have all 8 glow plugs replaced this fall, but it was under warranty. Ask if any glow plugs recently replaced. Mine tows my 13k fifth wheel well. Could use a little more breaking. Good luck.

Like said above, Tranny Lines.

With the trucks vin get a service history from a dealer. Besides everything else you listed, if it hasn't been done already, having the glow plugs done under warranty would be nice. I had 2 go bad on my truck and based on the dealers experience with the lifespan of these glow plugs they changed all 8 under warranty. I keep my truck clean underneath and at 55k miles because of corrosion the tech had a hard time getting 3 of the 8 plugs to come out, and he said mine was easy compared to many.

Thanks for the input. Owner said he had one glow plug replaced, it didn't sound like he had the dealer do it? Anyway, looking over the service history it says that the "60/100000 GM DIESEL ENG IN LD VEH WITH $100 DEDUCT AFTER BUMPER TO BUMPER LIMITED WARRANTY" does this mean the engine is under warranty until 100k or ? He did have the control module for the glow plugs reprogramed at 15k.

Check the pitman and idler arms. It the truck lifted? If yes tie rods while your at it. If you had the pump rub you would see trans fluid ( from the transfer case) near the back fo the case and probably has spun up under the bed. Not sure if you care if it has been programmed but if it has been and is still under 100K then your warranty is gone. I would ask when was the trans fluid changed.

Moved to Buying a new truck...