Front Suspension (K -S Eries) - Chevrolet 1981 Light Duty Truck Service Manual

SHOCK ABSORBER
Removal (Fig. 3C-15)
1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Remove nuts and eye bolts securing upper and lower
shock absorber eyes.
3. W ith d ra w shock absorber and inspect rubber eye
bushings. If defective,
assembly.
Installation
Place shock absorber into position over mounting bolts
or into mounting brackets. Install eye bolts and nuts and
torque as shown in Specifications Section. Lower vehicle to
floor.
STABILIZER BAR
Removal (Fig. 3C-16)
1. Raise vehicle on hoist and remove nuts and bolts
attaching stabilizer brackets and bushings at frame
location.
2. Remove brackets and bushings at lower control arms
and remove stabilizer from vehicle.
Inspection
Inspect rubber bushings for excessive wear or aging-
replace where necessary. Use rubber lubricant when install­
ing bushings over stabilizer bar.
Installation
NOTICE:
See N O T I C E on page 1 of this section
regarding the fasteners referred to in step 2.
Slit in bar to frame bushings should be facing forward.
1. Place stabilizer in position on frame and install frame
brackets over bushings. Install nuts and bolts loosely.
2. Install brackets over bushings at lower control arm
location. Be sure brackets are positioned properly over
bushings. Torque all nuts and bolts to specifications.
3. Lower vehicle to floor.
replace shock absorber
COIL SPRING
Removal (Fig. 3C-17)
1. Place vehicle on hoist and place jack stands under
frame, allowing control arms to hang free.
2. Disconnect shock absorber at lower end and move
aside. Disconnect the stabilizer bar attachments to the
lower control arm.
3. Bolt Tool J-23028 to a suitable jack.
4. Place tool under cross-shaft so that the cross-shaft seats
in the grooves of the tool. As a safety precaution install
and secure a chain through the spring and lower control
arm.
5. Raise the jack to remove tension on the lower control
arm cross-shaft and remove the two " U " bolts securing
the cross-shaft to crossmember. The crosshaft and
lower control arm keeps the coil spring compressed.
Use care when lowering.
6. Lower control arm by slowly releasing the jack until
spring can be removed. Be sure all compression is
relieved from spring.
7. Remove spring.
Installation
NOTICE:
See N O T I C E on page 1 of this section
regarding the fasteners referred to steps 3 and 4.
1. Properly position spring on the control arm, and lift
control arm using jack and tool J-23028.
Some models are equipped with air cylinders in the coil
springs. These cylinders should be checked for leaks
and damage at this time. Air pressure in these cylinders
should be 40 PSI ± 1 0 .
2. Position control arm cross-shaft to crossmember and
install " U " bolts and attaching nuts. Make certain
front indexing hole in cross-shaft is lined up with
crossmember attaching saddle stud.
3. Torque nut to specifications.
4. Install shock absorber to lower control arm and install
stabilizer bar.
5. Remove tool J-23028 and safety chain.
6. Lower vehicle to floor.
Fig. 3C-17--Removing Coil Spring with Tool J-23028
FRONT SUSPENSION 3C-15
L IG H T T R U C K SERVICE M AN U AL