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3C-16
1977 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
SAFETY CHAIN
WOOD/:
Fig. 3C-28 Removing Coil Spring
1. Properly position spring in spring tower and on
control arm (Fig. 3C-29) and lift control arm with hydraulic
jack. Be sure the insulator is indexed with the closed end
located at the high point in the spring seat.
-r
l m j
After assembly, end of spring
must be visible through hole.
, , , ,
Fig. 3C-29 Coil Spring Positioning
2. Guide the lower control arm ball stud into the steering
knuckle and install nut. Torque nut to specifications and
insert cotter pin. Remove the safety chain.
NOTE: Do not back off nut to insert cotter pin. Advance
nut to the next slot that lines up with the hole in the stud.
3. Install the tie rod end to the steering arm. See Section
3B.
4. Install the shock absorber.
5 .
Install the stabilizer bar if removed.
6. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
7. Remove the vehicle from the jackstands and lower to
the floor. Install the upper end of the shock absorber.
BALL JOINTS
Upper Ball Joint
-
Removal From Knuckle (Fig.
3C-30)
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. Support the lower control arm with a floor jack.
4. Remove cotter pin from upper ball stud and loosen
the ball stud nut but do not remove.
5 .
Install Tool J-23742 with the cup end over the lower
ball stud nut.
6. Turn the threaded end of J-23742 until ball stud is free
of steering knuckle.
7. Remove Tool J-23742 and remove nut from ball stud.
Replacement
CAUTION:
See
CAUTION on page
1
of this
section regarding the fastener referred to in step
2.
1. Remove rivets from ball joint to control arm, by either
center drilling the rivet heads and knocking off with a chisel,
or using a grinding wheel to remove the heads.
2. Install new joint and secure with bolts and nuts
supplied with service part.
3. Install a lube fitting and lube the new joint.
Installation To Knuckle
CAUTION:
See
CAUTION on page
1
of this
section regarding the fasteners referred to in steps
2 and 4.
NOTE: Inspect the tapered hole in the steering knuckle.
Remove any dirt and if any out-of-roundness,
deformation, or damage is noted, the knuckle MUST be
replaced.
1. Mate the upper control arm ball stud to the steering
knuckle.
2. Install the ball stud nut and torque to specifications.
3. Install the cotter pin. Do not back off nut to insert
cotter pin.
4. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
5 .
Lower the vehicle to the floor.
Lower Ball Joint Inspection (Fig. 3C-31)
The lower ball joints incorporate wear indicators. The
inspection of these indicators is as follows:
The lower ball joints are inspected for wear by visual
observation alone. Wear is indicated by the protrusion of the
1/2" diameter nipple into which the grease fitting is threaded.
This round nipple projects .050N beyond the surface of the
ball joint cover on a new, unworn joint. Normal wear will
result in the surface of this nipple retreating very slowly
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