Chevrolet 1980 Light Duty Truck Service Manual page 196

3B2-4 M A N U A L STEERING GEAR
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
LUBRICATION OF M A N U A L STEERING GEAR
The manual steering gear is factory-filled with steering
gear lubricant. Seasonal change of this lubricant should not
be performed and the housing should not be drained-
lubrication is required for the life of the steering
g e a r .
According to the intervals listed in Section OB, the
manual gear should be inspected for seal leakage
solid grease - not just oily film)
or the gear is overhauled, the gear housing should be refilled
with
1 0 5 1 0 5 2 (13 oz. container) Steering Gear
Lubricant which meets GM Specification GM
4 6 7 3 M , or its equivalent.
Do not use EP Chassis Lube, which meets
NOTICE:
GM Specification GM 6031M, to lubricate the gear
DO NOT OVER-FILL
may occur to the gear.
A D JU S TM E N T OF M A N U A L STEERING GEAR
See Notice on page one of this section
NOTICE:
regarding the fasteners referred to in steps 9d and 10.
Before any adjustments are made to the steering gear
attempt to correct complaints of loose or hard steering, or
other wheel disturbances, a careful check should be made
of front end alignment, shock absorbers, wheel balance and
tire pressure for possible steering system problems. See
Diagnosis earlier in this section.
Correct adjustment of steering gear is very important.
While there are but two adjustments to be made, the
following procedure must be followed step-by-step in the
order given.
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Raise the vehicle.
Fig. 3B 2-4~ R em oving Pitman Arm
no
(actual
. If a seal is replaced
the gear housing, or damage
3. Remove the pitman arm nut. Mark the relationship
of the pitman arm to the pitman shaft. Remove the pitman
arm with Tool J-6632 or J-5504 as shown in Figure 3B2-4.
4. Loosen the steering gear adjuster plug locknut and
back the adjuster plug off 1/4 turn (Fig. 3B2-5).
5. Remove the horn shroud or button cap.
6. Turn the steering wheel gently in one direction until
stopped by the gear; then turn back one-half turn.
Do not turn the steering wheel hard against
NOTICE:
the stops when the steering linkage is disconnected
from the gear as damage to the ball guides could result.
7. Measure and record "bearing drag" by applying a
torque wrench with a socket on the steering wheel nut and
rotating through a 90° arc (Fig. 3B2-6). Do not use a torque
wrench having a maximum torque reading of more than 50
inch pounds.
8. Adjust "thrust bearing preload" by tightening the
adjuster plug until the proper "thrust loading preload" is
obtained (See specifications section). When the proper
preload has been obtained, tighten the adjuster plug locknut
to specifications and recheck torque. If the gear feels
"lumpy" after adjustment, there is probably damage in the
bearings due to severe impact or improper adjustment; the
gear must be disassembled and inspected for replacement
of damaged parts.
9. Adjust "over-center preload" as follows:
a. Turn the steering wheel gently from one stop all the
way to the other carefully counting the total number of
turns. Turn the wheel back exactly half-way, to center
position.
b. Turn the lash adjuster screw clockwise to take out
all lash between the ball nut and pitman shaft sector teeth
and then tighten the locknut.
LIG H T T R U C K S ER V IC E M ANUAL