Chevrolet LIGHT DUTY TRUCK (SERIES 10-35) Service Manual page 309

3C-22 FRONT SUSPENSION
STEERING KNUCKLE
It is recommended that vehicle be raised and supported
as on a twin-post hoist so that the front coil spring remains
compressed, yet the wheel and steering knuckle assembly
remain accessible. If a frame hoist is used, support lower
control arm with an adjustable jackstand to safely retain
spring in its curb height position.
Removal
1. Raise vehicle on hoist and support lower control arm
as noted above.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove caliper as outlined under "Front Wheel Hub
- Removal".
4. Remove disc splash shield bolts securing the shield
to the steering knuckle. Remove Shield.
5. Refer to Section 3B-Steering for service removal
operations.
6 . Remove upper and lower ball stud cotter pins and
loosen ball stud nuts. Free steering knuckle from ball studs
by installing Special Tool J-23742. Remove ball stud nuts
and withdraw steering knuckle.
Installation
CAUTION: See CAUTION on page 1 of
this section regarding
referred to in steps 2, 3, 4 and 5.
1. Place steering knuckle in position and insert upper
and lower ball studs into knuckle bosses.
Steering knuckle hole, ball stud and nut should be free
of dirt and grease before tightening nut.
2. Install ball stud
specifications. (See Specification Section.)
If necessary, tighten one more notch to insert cotter
pins. Do not loosen nut to insert cotter pin. Refer to Ball
Joint text for proper nut installation sequence.
3. Reverse remaining removal procedure, and tighten
splash shield mounting bolt. Tighten two caliper assembly
mounting bolts to 35 ft. lb. torque.
4. Adjust wheel bearings as outlined under Front
Wheel Bearing Adjustment.
5. Tighten wheel nuts to 75 ft. lb.
CROSSMEMBER AND SUSPENSION UNIT
Component parts of the front suspension may be
serviced separately as outlined in the preceding service
operations. However, if extensive service is to be performed
to crossmember, frame, etc., the unit can be removed and
installed as follows:
Removal (Fig. 3C-32)
1. Raise hood and disconnect negative battery cable
from battery.
2. Raise vehicle on hoist.
3. Remove front wheels.
4. Disconnect front brake hose clip from each upper
control arm.
5. Support front of vehicle with jack stands at frame
side rails. Lower front hoist.
6 . Clean area adjacent to brake hose fittings.
LIG H T T R U CK SER V ICE MANUAL
the fasteners
nuts and tighten nut to
Fig. 3C -32~Suspension U nit to Frame
Disconnect front brake hoses from calipers. Discard special
washers (2 each hose). Cover disconnected end of each hose
with suitable material.
7. Disconnect tie rod ends from steering knuckles.
Discard cotter pins. Refer to Section 3B.
8 . If equipped, disconnect front stabilizer from lower
control arms.
9. Disconnect fron shock absorbers from lower control
arms.
10. Remove brake line clip bolts from front suspension
crossmember. On C-Models the clip is located under right
hand engine mount support bracket.
Failure to disconnect these clips from the
NOTICE:
front suspension unit will result in severe damage to
the brake line when unit is lowered from vehicle.
11. Remove engine mount support bracket to front
suspension crossmember bolts.
12. Remove crossmember to lower frame rail bolts.
13. Raise hoist to support front suspension unit.
14. Support engine. Engine must be supported
adequately before front suspension unit is lowered from
vehicle.
G-MODEL