1-44 GENERAL INFORMATION AND MAINTENANCE 2. if the truck has been parked in temperatures below 20F (-7C) for any length of time, park it in a heated garage for an hour or so until the bail joints loosen up enough to accept the grease. 3. Depending on which front wheel you work on first, turn the wheel and tire outward, either full-lock right or full-lock left. You now have the ends of the upper and lower suspension control arms in front of you; the grease nipples are visible pointing up (top ball joint) and down (lower ball joint) through the end of each control arm. 4. If the nipples are not accessible enough, remove the wheel and tire. 5. Wipe all dirt and crud from the nipples or from around the plugs (if installed). If plugs are on the truck, remove them and install grease nipples in the holes (nipples are available in various thread sizes at most auto parts stores). 6. Using a hand operated, low pressure grease gun loaded with a quality chassis grease, grease the ball joint only until the rubber joint boot begins to swell out. The steering linkage should be greased at the same interval as the ball joints. Grease nipples are installed on the steering tie rod ends on most models. 7. Wipe all dirt and crud from around the nipples at each tie rod end. 8. Using a hand operated, low pressure grease gun loaded with a suitable chassis grease, grease the linkage until the old grease begins to squeeze out around the tie rod ends. 9. Wipe off the nipples and any excess grease. Also grease the nipples on the steering idler arms. Use chassis grease on the parking brake cable where it contacts the cable guides, levers and linkage. Apply a small amount of clean engine oil to the kickdown and shift linkage points at 7500 mile (12,000 km) intervals.
LEVEL CHECK No lubrication is needed for the life of the gear, except in the event oflpeal replacement or overhaul, when the gear should be refilled with a 13 oz. container of Steering Gear Lubricant (Part No. 1051052) which meets GM Specification GM 4673M, or its equivalent.
Chassis Greasing I See Figures 163,164,165,166 and 167 Refer to the diagrams for chassis points to be lubricated. Not all vehicles have all the fittings illustrated. Water resistant EP chassis lubricant (grease) conforming to GM specification 6031-M should be used for all chassis grease pants. Every year or 7500 miles (12,067 km) the front suspension ball joints;! both upper and lower on each side of the truck, must be greased. Most trucks covered in this guide should be equipped with grease nipples on the ball jo (its, although some may have plugs which must be removed and nipples fittaf
•••-•' WARNING Do not pump so much grease into the ball joint that excess gr ase squeezes out of the rubber boot. This destroys the watertight s al. 1. Raise up the front end of the truck and safely support it with jacks ids. Block the rear wheels and firmly apply the parking brake.
15
13
9
8
1 11 6
3
5
2 4
12
1. 2. 3. 4. 56. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Air cleaner Control linkage Tie rod ends Wheel bearings Steering gear Master cylinder Transmission Carburetor linkage U-joints Driveshaft slip joints Drive axle Drag link Brake and clutch pedal springs 14. Transfer case 15. Throttle bell crank, 648L
10 i
6
3
5
2
1
Fig. 163 Lubrication points for the R-series
3
1. 2. 3 4. 5. 6. 7.
4
8. 9. 10. 11.
8
1
5 12 3
4
15
Air cleaner Control linkage Tie rod ends Wheel bearings Steering gear Master cylinder Transmission Carburetor linkage U-joints Driveshaft slip joints Drive axle
12. Drag link 13. Brake and clutch pedal springs 14. Transfer case 15. Throttle bellcrank, 64.8L 84901119
Fig. 164 Lubrication points for the V-series