Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 1206

STEERING
STEERING KNUCKLE A R M (A, G
& X
SERIES)
REMOVE
Raise front of car.
Remove tie rod stud nut cotter pin and nut.
Remove tie rod stud from steering arm by prying on
tie rod using a suitable pry bar and tapping sharply
on arm in area of stud.
NOTE: Instead of using a pry bar, the PRE-
FERRED METHOD using tool J 6627 can be
used. Use care not to damage rubber seal
around tie rod.
Remove hub cap or wheel disc from wheel.
Drum Brakes: Remove dust cap from hub.
Disc Brakes: Remove wheel and tire assembly before
removing dust cap from hub.
Drum Brakes: Remove cotter pin, spindle nut and
washer from spindle, then remove wheel with hub
and drum assembly from spindle with a gentle rock-
ing motion.
CAUTION: When hub and wheel assembly is
partially loose on spindle, remove outer wheel
bean& DO NOT DROP BEARING.
NOTE: In some cases it may be necessary. to
back o f f brake adjustment to remove hub and
wheel assembly.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Disc Brakes: Remove brake caliper assembly before
removing cotter pin, spindle nut and washer from
spindle. Then remove hub and disc assembly from
spindle.
CAUTION: Whenhubanddiscassemblyispar-
tially loose on spindle, remove outer wheel
beaning. DO NOT DROP BEARING.
Remove two bolts attaching steering arm to steering
knuckle.
INSTALL
CAUTION: See CAUTION on page 1 of this
Section regarding the fasteners referred to in
steps 2 and 3.
1. Install by reversing the above steps.
2. Tighten steering knuckle to steering arm bolts to 80
lb. ft. torque.
3. Tighten tie rod stud nut to 30 lb. ft. torque. Insert
cotter pin.
CAUTION: Care should be taken to insure that
steering a m hole, stud and nut are free of dirt
and grease before tightening nut. Turn nut in
tightening direction only to align slot with hole
in tie rod stud to insert cotter pin. DO NOT
BACK OFF NUT. Maximum torque to align
slot with hole not to exceed 7016. ft. on B Series
or 50 16. ft. on A, G, F and X Series.
4. Adjust wheel bearings as outlined in Section 3 under
ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES.
STEERING GEAR
Manual steering is standard equipment on A Series,
F
Series except Trans Am and X Series. There is one manual
ratio 28:l gear used.
Power steering is standard equipment on B Series, G Se-
ries and F Series Trans Am. Power steering is optionally
available on the other series and models. Variable ratios
of 15:l-13:l and 161-13:l are utilized for all applications.
F Series (Trans-Am & Formula) and B Series use the
variable ratio of 15: 1 on center and 13: 1 at full turn. The
variable ratio of 16: 1 on center and 13: 1 at full turn is used
on all A Series, G Series F Series (except Trans-Am and
Formula) and X Series.
STEERING GEAR
REMOVE
1. Disconnect pressure and return hose assemblies from
housing on power steering equipped cars.
2. Raise front of car.
3. Disconnect pitman arm from pitman shaft, using tool
J 5504.
CAUTION: Do not hammer on end ofpuller.