Chevrolet 1977 light duty truck, Service Manual

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p re lo a d " is obtained (See specifications section). W hen
the p ro p e r preload has been obtained, tighten the
adjuster plug locknut to specifications and recheck
torque. If the gear feels " lu m p y " after adjustment, there
is pro b ab ly d a m a g e in the bearings due to severe im pact
or im p ro p e r adjustm ent; the g ear must be disassembled
and inspected for rep lacem en t o f d a m a g e d parts.
9. Adjust "over-center p re lo a d " as follows:
a. T urn the steering wheel gently from one stop
all the way to the other carefully counting the total
n u m b e r o f turns. T urn the wheel back exactly half-way,
to center position.
b. T urn the lash adjuster screw clockwise to take
out all lash between the ball nut an d p itm an shaft sector
teeth and then tighten the locknut.
c. Check the torque at the steering wheel, taking
the highest re a d in g as the wheel is turned through center
position. See the Specifications Section for p ro p er over­
center preload.
d. If necessary, loosen locknut and readjust lash
adjuster screw to obtain p ro p e r torque. T ighten the
locknut to specifications and again check torque reading
through center o f travel.
N O T E : If m a x im u m specification is exceeded, turn
lash adjuster screw counterclockwise, then come up
on adjustm ent by turn in g the adjuster in a
clockwise motion.
10. Reassem ble the p itm a n arm to the p itm an
shaft, lining up the m arks m ade during disassembly.
T o rq u e the p itm a n shaft nut to sspecifications.
CAUTION: I f a clamp type p itm an arm is used,
spread the p itm an arm ju s t enough, with a
wedge, to slip the arm onto the p itm a n shaft.
Do not spread the clam p more than required to
slip over pitm a n sh a ft with hand pressure. Do
not ham m er the p itm a n arm onto the pitm an
shaft. Be sure to install the hardened steel
washer before installing the nut.
11. Install the horn button cap or shroud and
connect the battery g round cable.
12 Lower the vehicle to the floor.
S teerin g G ear High P oint C entering
1. Set front wheels in straight ahead position. This
can be checked by driving vehicle a short distance on a
flat surface to determ in e steering wheel position at which
vehicle follows a straight path.
2. W ith fro n t wheels set straight ahead, check
position o f m ark on w o rm sh a ft designating steering gear
high point. This mark should be at the top side o f the
sh a ft at 12 o ’clock position and lined up with the mark
in the coupling lower clamp.
3. O n C, G and P series if g ear has been moved off
high point w hen setting wheel in straight ahead position.
Loosen adjusting sleeve clam ps on both left and right
h a n d tie rods, then turn both sleeves an equal n u m b e r o f
turns in the same direction to b rin g g ear back on high
point.
turns or in different directions will disturb the toe-
in setting o f the wheels.
4. On K series if the gear has been moved off high
point when setting wheels in straight ahead position.
Loosen adjusting sleeve clamps on the connecting rod
then turn sleeve to bring gear back on high point.
5. Readjust toe-in as outlined in Section 3A (if
necessary).
6. Be sure to properly orient sleeves an d clamps as
shown in figures 3B-104, 3B-106 and 3B-109 when
fastening and torqueing clamps to p ro p er specifications.
Steering W heel A lignm ent
NOTE: On all series vehicles check steering gear
for high point centering before checking steering
wheel alignment.
1. Set wheels in straight ah e a d position by driving
vehicle a short distance.
2. N ote steering wheel position. If off more than 1
inch from center (fig. 3B-31), remove steering wheel as
outlined u n d e r "S teering Wheel - R em oval", center high
point on gear, reposition and reinstall the wheel.
Steering Colum n Lower Bearing A djustm ent
G and P Series
1. Loosen clam p on steering shaft.
2. Applying 50 lb. force to the steering wheel end
o f the steering shaft, adjust clamp to o b ta in clearances
indicated in Figure 3B-32.
3. Tighten clam p bolt to specified torque.
S hifter Tube Adjustm ent G and P Series
3-Speed T ransm ission
1. Loosen adjusting ring attaching screws and
clam p bolt.
2. Rotate adjusting ring to give .005" end play
between adjusting ring and first and reverse shifter lever
(fig. 3B-33).
N O T E : T u rn in g the sleeves an unequal n u m b e r o f