GMC 1982 Light Duty Truck Service Manual page 248

3B2-4 MANUAL STEERING GEAR
LUBRICATIO N OF M A N U A L STEERING GEAR
The manual 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.
According to the intervals listed in Section OB, the
manual gear should be inspected for seal leakage
solid grease - not just oily film).
gear is overhauled, the gear housing should be refilled with
1051052 (13 oz. container) Steering Gear Lubricant which
meets GM Specification GM 4673M, or its equivalent.
Do not use EP Chassis Lube, which meets G M
N O T IC E :
Specification G M 6031 M, to lubricate the gear
NOT OVER-FILL
the gear housing, or damage may
occur to the gear.
A D JU STM ENT OF M A N U A L STEERING GEAR
See N otice on page one of this section
N O T IC E :
regarding the fasteners referred to in steps 9d and 10.
Before any adjustments are made to the steering gear
attem pt to correct complaints of loose or hard steering, or
other wheel disturbances, a careful check should be made of
front end alignment, shock absorbers, wheel balance and
tire pressure for possible steering system problems. See
Diagnosis earlier in this section.
Correct adjustment of steering gear is very important.
While there are but two a d ju stm e n ts to be made, the
following procedure must be followed step-by-step in the
order given.
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Raise the vehicle.
3. Remove the pitman arm nut. M ark the relationship of
the pitm an arm to the pitm an shaft. Remove the
pitman arm with Tool J-6632 or J-5504 as shown in
Figure 3B2-4.
4. Loosen the steering gear adjuster plug locknut and
back the adjuster plug off 1 /4 turn (Fig. 3B2-5).
5. Remove the horn shroud or button cap.
Fig. 3B2-4--Removing Pitman Arm
M A IN TEN A N C E A N D ADJUSTMENTS
(actual
If a seal is replaced or the
6. Turn the steering wheel gently in one direction until
stopped by the gear; then turn back one-half turn.
Do not turn the steering wheel hard against
N O T IC E :
the stops when the steering linkage is disconnected
from the gear as damage to the ball guides could result.
7. Measure and record "bearing drag" by applying a
torque wrench with a socket on the steering wheel nut
and rotating through a 90° arc (Fig. 3B2-6). Do not use
a torque wrench having a maximum torque reading of
more than 50 inch pounds.
DO
8. Adjust " th ru s t bearing prelo ad" by tightening the
adjuster plug until the proper "thrust loading preload"
is obtained (See specifications section). W hen the
proper preload has been obtained, tighten the adjuster
plug locknut to specifications and recheck torque. If the
gear feels "lum py" after adjustment, there is probably
d am ag e in the bearings due to severe impact or
Fig. 3B2-6--Checking Torque at Steering W heel