Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 1201

1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
29. Adjust back-up light or neutral-start switch (see Sec-
tion 12 for adjustment procedure).
FLEXIBLE COUPLING
REMOVE
1. Remove flexible coupling flange attaching nuts and
lock washers.
2. Remove steering gear mounting bolts and swing gear
away from frame.
3. Remove flexible coupling clamping bolt and remove
from steering gear stub shaft.
INSTALL
NOTE: Metal-to-metal contact between flanges
on stub shaft assembly and steering shaft as-
sembly will transmit and amplifi gear noise to
the dn'ver. (See FLEXIBLE COUPLING ou-
tlined at front of Section 9 and Fig. 9-6 for use
of plastic alignment spacers).
Install by reversing the above steps.
CAUTION: See CAUTION on page I of this
Section regarding the fasteners referred to in
step
2.
Tighten steering gear to frame bolts to 70 lb. ft.
torque, flexible coupling clamping bolt to 35 lb. ft.
torque and flexible coupling flange attaching nuts to
20 Ib. ft. torque.
UNIVERSAL JOINT (POT JOINT) &
LOWER STEERING SHAFT
NOTE: The potjoint need only be disassembled
if there is looseness or binding in the assembly
(Figs. 9-36 and 9-37).
DISASSEMBLE
1. Remove flexible coupling bolts, steering gear mount-
ing bolts and swing gear away from frame.
Remove pot joint clampirig bolt or nut and remove
shaft assembly with joint from steering column shaft.
Scribe a mark on pot joint housing and lower steering
shaft.
Remove wire retaining clip around inside of housing.
Care must be taken not to cut rubber boot around
lower shaft.
With slight pressure, pull on steering shaft; this will
separate shaft from housing.
Remove bearing cups and clip from steering shaft.
NOTE: I f the rubber boot or cross shaft in
lower steering shaft is damaged, do not attempt
to remove these parts from the steering shaft.
These parts are serviced with the lower steering
shaft.
ASSEMBLE
Assemble pot joint by reversing the above steps.
NOTE: When assembling lower steering shaft
into joint housing, be sure scribe marks are
lined up. Also use care not to cut rubber boot
when installing wire retaining ckp.
NOTE: To provide proper lubrication of this
assembly, coat all surfaces with lithium soap
chassis grease. Do not over fill assembly with
grease.
CAUTION: See CAUTION on page 1 of this
Section regarding the fasteners refered to in
steps 2 and 3.
Install shaft assembly with joint onto steering column
shaft. Tighten pot joint clamping bolt nut to 50 lb. ft.
torque.
Install steering gear to frame and flexible coupling.
Tighten steering gear to frame bolts to 70 lb. ft.
torque and flexible coupling nuts to 20 lb. ft. torque.
NOTE: Metal-to-metal contact between flanges
on stub shaft assembly and steenjg shaft
as-
sembly will transmit and ampli& gear noise to
the dn'ver. (See FLEXIBLE COUPLING ou-
tlined at front of Section 9 and Fig. 9-6 for use
of plastic alknment spacers).
STEERING LINKAGE
GENERAL INFORMATION
sleeve and two tie rod ends. The ends are threaded into the
sleeve and locked with clamps. Right and left hand
There are two tie rod assemblies used on all models. Each
threads are provided to facilitate toe-in adjustment and
assembly is of three piece construction, consisting of a
steering gear centering (Fig. 9-65).