Steering Linkage - Pontiac Grand Prix Service Manual

STEERING 9-21
4. Move the center cross as necessary, to separate the
upper and lower portions of the coupling.
5. Disassemble lower yoke of joint by repeating steps 2
and 3.
ASSEMBLE
1. Position center cross in lower yoke of coupling.
2. Position bushing and new rubber washer on center
cross. Install retaining snap ring.
3. Place a second bushing and new rubber washer on
center cross and retain with snap ring.
4. With cross installed in lower yoke, assemble lower
yoke to upper yoke as outlined in steps 2 and 3.
5. Install shaft assembly with joint on steering column
shaft. Tighten upper yoke clamping bolt to 30 lb. ft.
torque.
6. Install steering gear to frame and flexible coupling.
STEERING LINKAGE
REMOVE AND INSTALL
1. Steering intermediate rod may be removed from
both the tie rods, pitman arm and idler arm by
removing the ball shaft nut (Fig. 9-43, 9-44 and 9-45).
Since intermediate rod is a solid shaft, it may be replaced
by installing a new rod and connecting it to pitman arm,
tie rods, and idler arm. Tighten pitman arm to inter-
mediate rod nut to 35 lb. ft. torque on Tempest and Grand
Prix and to 45 lb. ft. torque on Pontiac and Firebird.
Tighten intermediate rod to tie rod nut to 40 lb. ft.
torque on Tempest and Grand Prix and to 60 lb. ft.
torque on Pontiac and Firebird. Tighten idler arm to
intermediate rod nut to 35 lb. ft. torque.
2. After steering intermediate rqd is removed, the
pitman arm may be removed from pitman shaft by
removing nut and lock washer and by using puller J
5504-1. To install pitman arm on pitman shaft, replace
arm, lock washer and nut and tighten to 140 lb. ft. torque.
3. After steering intermediate rod is removed, idler
arm may be removed by removing two bolts which
retain idler support to frame. Install assembly on frame
with two attaching bolts and washers and tighten to
35 lb. ft. torque.
4. Tie rod assembly may be removed from car by
removing cotter pin and castellated nut on tie rod ends
at steering arms. To separate tie rod and tie rod end,
loosen two bolts on sleeve and clamp assembly, and
thread out part to be replaced. To reassemble, thread
new part into tube and" clamp assembly to approxi-'
mate original location, place tie rod end with dust
cover in steering arm, tighten castellated nut securely,
and install new cotter pin. Tighten nut to 35 lb. ft.
torque on a l l models except Pontiac and tighten nut to
50 lb. ft. torque on Pontiac.
5. When new tie rods or tie rod ends are installed, it is
necessary to check toe-in. Check clamp bolts on tie rod
adjuster sleeve assembly for tightness, 17 lb. ft. torque.
Assemble tie rod clamps as shown in Fig. 9-43 for Pontiac,
Fig. 9-44 for Tempest and Grand Prix, and Fig. 9-45 for
Firebird models.
6. Whenever work is done on steering linkage, it
should be lubricated.
GENERAL INFORMATION
(MANUAL STEERING)
Periodic service consists of periodic lubrication as
outlined in GENERAL LUBRICATION Section. The
addition of the lubricant is to be made by moving the
center side cover bolt.
ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES
Correct adjustment on the steering gear is extremely
important. Before any adjustments are made to the
steering gear in an attempt to correct such cohditions
as shimmy, hard or loose steering and road shocks; a
careful check should be made to determine that front
end alignment, shock absorbers, wheel balance and
tire pressure are correctly adjusted and/or operating
satisfactorily.
There are two adjustmentf on the recirculating ball-
-type steering gear:
1. Worm bearing preload adjustment.
2. Overcenter or Pitman Shaft Adjustment
CAUTION: It is very important when adjusting steering
gear that adjustments be made in above sequence.
Failure to do so will result in &amaze to steering gear.
ADJUST WORM BEARING PRELOAD
1. Raise car and disconnect steering intermediate rod
from pitman arm (Fig. 9-43, Fig. 9-44 and Fig. 9-45),
using tool J 5504- 1.
2. Loosen pitman shaft adjusting screw lock nut and
back,off adjusting screw a few turns (Fig. 9-46).
3. Remove wheel cover or bezel on steering wheel.
4. With a 7/8" socket attached to a pound inch torque
wrench, measure and record torque readings at least
30" off center (Fig. 9-47).
NOTE: Do not use torque wrench having maximum
torque reading of more than 100 pounds inch. When
taking following torque readings, take reading pulling
torque wrench to right and reading pulling torque
wrehch to lefi. Total both readings and take one-hahalf of
this total dr average torque.
5. Torque required should be 7 lb. in. To correct,
loosen worm bearing adjuster lock nut with brass drift