Chevrolet 1977 light duty truck, Service Manual

Page: 297 / 861

CAUTION: Be sure spacer J -24435-6 is in
position as shown in Figure 3C-26 to avoid
collapsing control arm during assembly.
3. Install one bushing then insert the pivot shaft
and install second bushing.
4. Stake front bushing at least in two places w hen
installed.
5. Install the lower control arm to the vehicle as
described u n d e r "Low er Control Arm - Installation",
being sure to torque all fasteners to the pro p er
specification.
Lower Control Arm Installation
CAUTION: See C A U T IO N on page I o f this
section regarding the fa ste n ers referred to in
steps 2 a n d 3.
1. Install lower ball stud through steering knuckle
and tighten nut.
2. Install spring and control arm as outlined under
spring installation.
3. T o rq u e lower control arm ball stud to specifica­
tions an d install cotter pin.
4. Install brake caliper assembly if removed (see
section 5).
5. Lower the vehicle to the floor.
BALL J O IN T S E R V IC E -O N VEHICLE
Ball J o in t— Inspection
T h e upp er ball stud is spring loaded in its socket.
This min im izes looseness at this point and compensates
for norm al wear, if the upp er stud has any perceptible
lateral shake, or if it can be twisted in its socket with the
fingers, the u p p e r ball jo in t should be replaced.
Upper—Removal
1. Raise vehicle on hoist. If a fra m e hoist is used,
it will be necessary to support the lower control arm with
a floor jack.
2. Remove cotter pin from upper ball stud and
loosen stud nut (two turns) but do not remove nut.
3. Install J-23742 between the ball studs as shown
in Figure 3C-27.
NOTE: It is necessary to remove the brake caliper
assembly and wire it to the fra m e to gain clearance
for tool J-23742. See section 5 fo r the pro p er
procedure.
CAUTION: Before proceeding with Step 4, be
sure lower control arm is supported as pointed
out in Step I .
4. Extend bolt from Tool J-23742 to loosen ball
stud in steering knuckle. W hen stud is loose, remove tool
and stud nut.
5. C enter punch rivet heads an d drill out rivets.
6. Remove the ball jo in t assembly.
Installation
CAUTION: See C A U T IO N on page 1 o f this
section regarding the fasteners referred to in
steps /, 3 a n d 6.
1. Install new service ball joint, using bolts and
nuts supplied with joint, to upper arm. Torque nuts to 45
ft. lbs.
2. M ate ball stud to steering knuckle an d install
stud nut.
3. Torque the ball stud nut as follows:
A. 10 Series 40—60 ft. lbs. plus additional torque
to align cotter pin not to exceed 90 ft. lbs. N ever back off
to align cotter pin.
B. 20—30 Series 80—100 ft. lbs. plus additional
torque to align cotter pin not to exceed 130 ft. lbs. N ever
back off to align cotter pin.
4. Install new cotter pin.
5. Install lube fitting and lube new joint.
6. Install brake caliper assembly if removed (see
section 5).
7. Install tire and wheel assembly.
8. Lower the vehicle to the floor.
Ball Jo in t— Inspection
Lower
Lower ball joints are a loose fit w hen not connected
to the steering knuckle. W e a r m ay be checked without
disassembling the ball stud, as follows:
1. Support weight o f control arms at wheel hub
and drum.
2. Accurately m easure distance between tip o f ball
stud and tip o f grease fitting below ball joint.
3. Move support to control a rm to allow wheel hub
an d d ru m to h an g free. Measure distance as in Step 2. If
the difference in m easurem ents exceeds .094” ( 3 / 3 2 ” ) for
all models, ball jo in t is w orn and should be replaced
(Fig. 3C-28).
Lower—Removal
1. Raise vehicle on a hoist. If a fram e hoist is used
it will be necessary to support the lower control arm with
a floor stand.
R E M O V E
U P P ER
J- 2 3 7 4 2 ,