Safety Maintenance - Chevrolet 1981 Light Duty Truck Service Manual

8. A dd enough ethylene glycol solution, m eeting G M
Specification 1899-M, and w ater to provide the re­
quired cooling function as well as freezing and corro­
sion p rotection. Use a 50 percen t solution, -34°F
(-36°C), but no more than a 70 percent solution. Fill
radiator to the base of the radiator filler neck and raise
level of coolant in the recovery tank to the "F ull H o t"
m ark. Reinstall recovery tank cap.
9. Run engine, with radiator cap removed, until radiator
upper hose is hot.
10. W ith engine idling, add coolant to radiator until level
reaches bottom of filler neck. Install cap, m aking sure
arrows line up with overflow tube.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The rad iato r cap, a 15 psi (105 kPa) pressure type,
m ust be installed tightly, otherwise coolant may be lost and
dam age to engine m ay result from overheating. R adiator
pressure cap should be checked periodically for proper
operation.
Thermostat
T he engine coolant te m p e ra tu re is controlled by a
therm ostat. It stops coolant flow through the radiator until a
pre-set tem perature is reached. This therm ostat is installed
on the engine block. The sam e therm ostat is used in both
w inter and sum m er. R efer to Section 6B-Engine Cooling for
additional inform ation.
A -10 Wheel Bearings
For norm al application, clean and repack front wheel
bearings with a high m elting point wheel bearing lubricant
at each front brake lining replacem ent or 30,000 miles (48
000 km) on light duty emissions 12,000 miles (19 200 km)
on heavy duty eymission or 15,000 miles (24 000 km) on
diesel engine vehicles which ever comes first. For heavy duty
application such as police and taxi cabs, clean and repack
front wheel bearings at each front brake lining replacem ent
or 15,000 miles (24 000 km ) which ever comes first.
Use W heel Bearing L ubricant G M P art N o. 1051344
(one pound), 1052356 (35 pounds) or Exxon Ronex M P
Grease or equivalent. This is a prem ium high m elting point
lubricant.
"Long fiber" or "viscous" type lubricant should not be
used. Do not mix wheel bearing lubricants. Be sure to
thoroughly clean bearings and hubs of all old lubricant
before repacking.
NOTICE: T apered roller bearings used in this vehicle
have a slightly loose feel when properly adjusted. They
m ust never be over tightened (preloaded) or severe
bearing dam age m ay result.
R efer to Section 3C for proper detailed adjustm ent
procedures and specifications.
A -1 1 Manual Steering Gear
The steering gear is factory-filled with steering gear
lubricant. Seasonal change of this lubricant should not be
perform ed and the housing should not be d rained-no
lubrication is required for the life of the steering gear.
Inspect for seal leakage (actual solid grease-not just
oily film). If a seal is replaced or the gear is overhauled, the
MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
gear housing should be refilled only with the proper Steering
G ear L ubricant as noted below.
NOTICE: Use only 1052182 (13 oz. (.38L) container)
Steering G ear L ubricant which meets G M Specifica­
tion 4673M , or its equivalent.
Do not use EP chassis lube, m eeting G M Specification
6 0 3 1M, to lubricate the gear. DO N O T O V E R -F IL L
the gear housing.
A -12 Clutch Cross-Shaft
Rem ove the plug, install a lubricatio n fitting and
lubricate with w ater resistant EP Chassis L ubricant which
meets G M Specification 6031M.
A -13 Automatic Transmission Fluid
R efer to A-1 for checking au to m atic transm ission.
C han ge the transm ission fluid and service screen every
15,000 miles (24 000 km) on light duty emissions or 12,000
miles (19 200 km) on heavy duty emission and diesel engine
vehicles if the vehicle has been driven under one or more of
these hot conditions:
• In heavy city traffic where the outside tem perature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C).
• In hill or m ountain areas.
• Frequent trailer pulling.
• Uses such as taxi, police or delivery service.
If the vehicle was not used mainly under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and service screen each 100,000
miles (160 000 km) on light duty emissions and diesel engine
vehicle or 24,000 m iles (38 400 km) on heavy duty
emissions.
It takes only one pint (0.5 liter) to raise level from
"A d d " to "F u ll" with a hot transm ission.
SECTION B

SAFETY MAINTENANCE

B-l Owner or Driver Safety Checks -
The m aintenance Schedule in the glove box lists items
to be checked by the owner or driver.
B-2 Tires, Wheels, and Disc Brakes
During tire rotation, check disc brake pads for wear,
and surface condition of rotors while wheels are removed
(see Item A-7). Check tires for excessive or abnorm al wear,
or dam age. Also check tire inflation pressures and adjust as
shown on Tim e P lacard (located on left front door). Be sure
wheels are not bent or cracked and th at wheel nuts have
been tightened to the torque value shown Section 3E.
B-3 Exhaust System
(Also an LD Emission Control Service)
C heck the com plete exhaust system , including the
catalytic converter. Check body areas near the exhaust
system and also the tailgate. Look for broken, dam aged,
missing, or out-of-position parts. Also, inspect for open
seams, holes, loose connections, or other conditions which
could cause a heat buildup in the floor pan, or could let
exhaust fumes seep into the passenger com partm ent. D ust
or w ater in the passenger com partm ent may indicate a leak
OB-15
L IG H T T R U C K SE RV IC E M A N U A L