Chevrolet Light Duty Truck 1973 Service Manual page 178

3-4 FRONT SU SPEN SION
The front suspension can be divided into two types, the
CONVENTIONAL, such as used on General Motors K Series
trucks, or the INDEPENDENT, such as used on all other
General Motors light duty trucks.
The description of caster, camber, toe-in, toe-out — on
turns and steering axis or kingpin inclination is the same
for conventional or independent types of suspensions.
The description of the control arms and related parts as
well as adjustment methods is intended for the
independent front suspension only.
K-SERIES SUSPENSION
The K-Series suspension system, as described here, refers to
leaf springs and a tubular axle. The tubular axle attached to
the vehicle through the leaf springs that are secured to the
axle on a spring pad. The spring ends, called eyes, are
attached to the vehicle frame through hangers.
Fig. 3—Wheel Hubs and Bearings
THEORY OF
OPERATION
The steering knuckle and wheel spindle attach to the axle
ends through ball joints. Caster can not be changed on
this particular vehicle and is designed and built into the
suspension. The camber setting is built into the axle and
cannot be changed. Toe-in is changed in a manner
similar to all other G.M. vehicles.
INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION
The independent suspension system, as described here,
refers to coil springs and control arms. Control arms and
coil springs are covered later in this section.
The term "independent suspension" describes a method
of supporting the chassis on the wheels without the use
of rigid axles. When a pair of wheels are mounted to a
LIGHT DUTY TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL