Brake System Warning Light; Wheel Bearings; Steering; Standard Steering - Chevrolet 10 1971 Series Chassis Service Manual

Brake System Warning Light

The service brake system is designed so that half of
the brake system will provide some braking action in the
event of a hydraulic leak in the other half of the system.
If the warning light located in the instrument panel area
glows continuously when the ignition is on and after the
brakes have been firmly applied, it may indicate that
there is a malfunction in one half of the hydraulic
system. (On C, P 30 11000# rear axle and Motor Home
models, the light will go out when foot is removed from
brake pedal).
• The light should glow briefly during engine starting
to verify that the bulb is operating properly.
The Chevrolet braking system requires very little
care; however, the system should be checked occasion­
ally for indications of fluid leak. If leaks are found the
necessary repairs should be made at once. Keep the
brakes properly adjusted. Check all vacuum hose con­
nections for leakage.
Master Cylinder
Check master cylinder fluid level in both reservoirs
every 6,000 miles. If the fluid is low in the reservoir,
it should be filled to a point about 1/4" from the top rear
of each reservoir with Delco Supreme No. 11 Hydraulic
Brake Fluid or equivalent.
Inspection of Brake Lining
Brake linings should be periodically
CAUTION:
inspected for wear. The frequency of this in­
spection depends upon driving conditions such
as traffic or terrain, and also the driving tech­
niques of individual customers.
Automatic Brake Adjusters
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Most trucks with hydraulic brakes are equipped with
self-adj$lting brakes which eliminate periodic brake
adjustments. THE SELF-ADJUSTING MECHANISM IS
ACTUATED, AS NEEDED, WHENEVER THE TRUCK IS
MOVED IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
POWER BRAKE V A C U U M UNITS
Trucks equipped with power brakes utilize engine
vacuum to reduce the braking effort to much less than
is required with regular brakes. A built-in vacuum re­
serve will supply two or more power assisted brake ap­
plications after the engine has stopped. After the vac­
uum reserve has been exhausted, the vehicle can be
stopped utilizing the manual portion of the power brake
system although considerably more foot pressure will be
needed to stop the vehicle.
Vacuum brake air cleaner for frame mounted vacuum
boosters should be cleaned semi-annually.
WHEELS AN D TIRES
WHEEL NUT TORQUES
On a new vehicle or after the wheel has been changed,
the wheel nut torque must be checked at 100, 1,000 and
6,000 miles and every 6,000 miles thereafter. Tighten
to torque shown in the ''Specifications'' section.

WHEEL BEARINGS

Use wheel bearing lubricant GM Part
NOTE:
No. 1051195 or equivalent. This is a premium
high melting point lubricant.
Front
Due to the weight of the tire and wheel assembly it is
recommended that they be removed from hub before
lubricating bearings to prevent damage to oil seal. Then
remove the front wheel hub to lubricate the bearings.
The bearings should be thoroughly cleaned before re­
packing with lubricant.
Front wheels are equipped with tapered roller bearings
on all trucks. Wheel bearings should be lubricated every
30,000 miles. Do not mix wheel bearing lubricants.
" Long fibre" type greases should
CAUTION:
not be used on roller bearing front wheels.
Rear
The rear wheel bearings receive their lubrication from
the rear axle. When installing bearings which have been
cleaned, repack with lubricant.

STEERING

STANDARD STEERING

Check the steering gear to frame bolts regularly to be
certain they are tight. Keep the pitman arm to pitman
shaft nut tight. Keep the housing side and end covers
tight to prevent lubricant loss and prevent steering from
loosening. Seasonal change of this lubricant is unneces­
sary and the housing should not be drained.
The 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 - no
lubrication is required for the life of the steering gear.
Every 36,000 miles, the gear should be inspected for
seal leakage (actual solid grease - not just oily film). If
a seal is replaced or the gear is overhauled, the gear
housing should be refilled with #1051052 (13 oz. container)
Steering Gear Lubricant which meets GM Specification
GM4673M, or its equivalent.
Do not use EP Chassis Lube, which
NOTE:
meets GM Specification GM 6031M, to lubricate
the gear. DO NOT OVER-FILL the gear housing.
Do lubricate intermediate steering shaft
NOTE:
with water resistant EP chassis grease which
meets General Motors Specification #GM 6031M
every 6,000 miles.
POWER STEERING
Power steering assist is provided by a hydraulic pump
driven by the engine. When the engine is not running or
if the power steering pump drive belt breaks, the vehicle
can still be steered, but much greater steering effort
will be required.
Service gear box in the same manner as prescribed
for the conventional or standard steering gears. In
addition, for all models, check fluid in power steering
pump reservoir—while hot and wheels in full left turn
position—make additions using GM Power Steering Fluid
LUBRICATION 0-13
10-30 CHEVROLET TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL