GMC 1982 Light Duty Truck Service Manual page 374

3 C -3 2 FRONT SUSPENSION
Fig. 3 C -9 K --R e m o v in g S te e rin g A rm N u ts
self-locking nuts (Fig. 3C-9K) and replace with new
nuts at assembly.
3. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball socket nut.
4. Remove the retaining nuts from the upper and lower
ball sockets as shown in Figure 3 C -1 OK.
5. Remove the knuckle assembly from the yoke by
inserting a suitable wedge-shaped tool between the
lower ball stud and the yoke and tapping on the tool to
release the knuckle assembly. Repeat as required at the
upper ball stud location.
Ball Joint Service
NOTICE: Do not remove the yoke upper ball stud
adjusting sleeve unless new ball studs are being
installed. If it is necessary to loosen the sleeve to remove
the knuckle, do not loosen it more than two threads
using Spanner J-23447 as shown in Figure 3C-15K.
The nonhardened threads in the yoke can be easily
damaged by the hardened threads in the adjusting
sleeve if caution is not used during knuckle removal.
Fig. 3C-1 OK-Removing Ball Socket Retaining Nut
J-23454-1
F ig. 3 C -1 1 K --R em oving L o w e r B all J o in t
• On the LH knuckle, it is necessary to remove the
steering arm before servicing the upper ball joint.
Remove the lower ball joint snap ring before beginning.
Lower ball joint must be removed before any service can be
performed on the upper ball joint.
1. Remove the lower ball joint using tools J-9519-10,
J-23 454 -1, and sleeve J-23454-4 or equivalent as shown
in Figure 3 C -1 1K.
If Tool J-23454-4 is not available, a suitable tool may
be fabricated from 2-3/8" O.D. steel tubing with a
minimum of 2-1/16" I.D., cut 63.50mm (2 -1 /2 " ) long.
2. Remove the upper ball joint using tools J-9519-10,
J-23 454 -1, and sleeve J-23454-4 or equivalent as shown
in Figure 3C-12K.
3. Install the lower ball joint into the knuckle. Make sure
that the lower ball joint (the joint without cotter pin
hole in the stud end) is straight. Press the stud into the
knuckle until properly seated using tools J-9519-10,
J-23454-2, and J-23454-4 or equivalent as shown in
Figure 3C-13K and install snapring.
Fig. 3C-12K--Removing U pper Ball Joint