Relay Rod; Idler A R M - Chevrolet 1981 Light Duty Truck Service Manual

3B1-8 STEERING LINKAGE
c. The relationship of the clam p slot with the slit in the
sleeve should be m aintained as shown in Figure 3B1-
8
.
d. R otate both inner and outer tie rod housing rearw ard
to the lim it of ball jo int travel before tightening
clamps. Tighten clam ps to specifications. R eturn tie
rod assem bly to the center of travel.
e. All procedures for alignm ent, adjustm ent and assem ­
bly of tie rods applies to each side.
f. Check each assem bly to be sure th at a total travel of
at least 35° can be obtained using a bubble protractor
and a pair of vise grips (Fig. 3B1-9).
Inspection
To ensure proper installation, it is necessary to perform
the following inspection after any change of toe setting or
removal of any ball stud:
1. Check the total rotation of the tie rod assembly using
the following procedure:
a. L ubricate inner and outer tie rod ends.
b. A ttach vise grip pliers to the outer tie rod end.
c. R otate outer tie rod end counterclockwise (up) to
m axim um position. A ttach bevel protractor as shown
in Figure 3B1-9. C enter protractor bubble indicator
and record reading.
d. R otate tie rod end clockwise (down) to m axim um
position. C e n ter p ro tra c to r bubble in d icato r and
record reading.
e. Compare protractor readings obtained in Steps c
and d. Total rotation o f tie rod assem bly should
measure at least 35°.
f. If rotation is less th an 35°, loosen one tiS rod sleeve
clam p and rotate both tie rod ends to their m axim um
lim it both ends must be rotated in the same direction.
g. Tighten tie rod clam p and again rotate both ends to
their m axim um limits, repeating Steps c and d. This
recheck of total rotation will result in a m inim um of
35° travel.
h. A fter obtaining the correct am ount of rotation (35°
or greater), position the outer tie rod end approx­
im ately m idway in this travel.
If rotating checks, outlined above, reveal a rough or
lumpy feel, the inner or outer tie rod end assembly m ay have
excessive w ear and should be replaced.
If all of the above m entioned conditions are m et, proper
tie rod installation is assured.

RELAY ROD

Removal
1. R aise vehicle on hoist.
2. Remove inner ends of the tie rods from relay rod as
described under "T ie R od-R em oval".
3. Remove the nuts from the pitm an and idler arm ball
studs a t the relay rod.
4. Remove the relay rod from the pitm an and idler arm s
by tapping on the relay rod ball stud bosses with a
ham m er, while using a heavy ham m er as a backing
(Fig. 3B1-7).
5. Remove the relay rod from the vehicle.
LIG H T T R U C K SERVICE M A N U A L
Installation
NOTICE:
See the N O T IC E on page 1 of this section
regarding the fasteners referred to in steps 2 and 3.
1. M ake sure th at threads on the ball studs and in the ball
stud nuts are clean and smooth. If threads are not clean
and sm ooth, ball studs m ay tu rn in sockets when
attem pting to tighten nut. Check condition of ball stud
seals; replace if necessary.
2. Install the relay rod to the idler arm and pitm an arm
ball studs, m aking certain th e seals are in place. U se a
free-spinning nut to seat th e ta p ers, p er Fig.
Install the tie rods to the relay rod as previously
3.
described under "T ie Rod- In stallatio n ". L ubricate the
tie rod ends.
Lower the vehicle to the floor.
4.
5. A djust toe-in (see Section 3A) and align steering wheel
as described previously in Section
W heel A lignm ent and High Point C en tering ".
IDLER ARM (EXCEPT P SERIES MOTORHOME)
Use of the proper diagnosis and checking procedure is
essential to prevent needless replacem ent of good idler arms.
1. Raise the vehicle in such a m anner as to allow the front
wheels to rotate freely and the steering mechanism
freedom to turn. Position the wheels in a straight ahead
position.
2. Using a push pull type spring scale located as near the
relay rod end of the idler arm as possible, exert a 25 lb.
force upward and then downward while noticing the
total distance the end of the arm moves. This distance
should not exceed ± 1 /8 inch for a total acceptable
movement of 1/4 inch (Figure 3B1-10). It is necessary
to ensure th at the correct load is applied to the arm
since it will move more when higher loads are applied.
Fig. 3B1-10--Checking Idler Movement, Typical
3 B 1 -6 .
under "S teering
3 B 4