Chevrolet 70 1969 Series, Shop Manual

Page: 457 / 913

STEERING SYSTEM 9A-6
The drag link shown in View B, figure 7, can
be disassembled as follows:
1. The end assembly which is clamped to the
drag link cannot be repaired. If the ball stud end
assembly is worn or damaged, loosen the clamp
bolt, then remove the end assembly.
2. At socket end of drag link, remove end
plug, ball seats, spring, safety plug, and safety
plug seat.
IN S P E C T IO N
1. Use a suitable solvent to thoroughly clean
all drag link parts-. Wipe or blow parts dry.
2. Inspect parts for wear or damage and dis­
card all parts that are not in first class condition.
3. Check spring for distortion or collapsed
coils.
A S S E M B L Y (V IE W B , FIG. 7)
1. At ball stud end of drag link, thread a new
end assembly into drag link.
2. At socket end of drag link, install safety
plug seat, safety plug, spring, ball seats, and end
plug loosely.
IN S T A L L A T IO N
View A, Figure 7
1. Position drag link to Pitman arm and steer­
ing arm. Install a ball stud nut at each end and
tighten firmly.
N O T E : This initial tightening will fit the taper­
ed studs snugly and prevent movement when nuts
are torqued.
2. Use a torque wrench to tighten stud nuts to
torque listed in "Specifications" at end of this
Figure 8— Steering Connecting Rod Assembly (Typical)
section, then advance nut to the next aligning hole
and install a new cotter pin to secure stud nut.
View B , Figure 7
1. Position drag link over ball stud at idler
lever. Use a drag link bit to tighten end plug snugly
to remove all end play from ball. Backoff end plug
% to % turn and insert a new cotter pin to lock the
adjustment.
I M P O R T A N T : Ball joints must be tight enough
to prevent end play, yet loose enough to allow free
movement.
2. With ball stud disconnected from steering
arm, locate center of steering gear movement.
Turn steering wheel gently from extreme right to
extreme left, counting the exact number of turns.
Turn steering wheel back exactly halfway. Front
wheels should be in straight-ahead position.
3. With front wheels in straight-ahead posi­
tion, adjust drag link end assembly until stud fits
into boss in steering arm without changing position
of front wheels or steering gear. Tighten ball stud
nut firmly.
4. Use a torque wrench to tighten stud nut to
torque listed in "Specifications" at end of this sec­
tion, then advance nut to the next aligning hole and
install a new cotter pin to secure the stud nut.
5. Check clearance around the ball stud neck
with wheels in the straight-ahead position. Clear­
ance around the ball stud should be uniform. If
necessary to obtain a uniform clearance, turn ball
stud end of drag link slightly; then use a torque
wrench to tighten clamp bolt to torque listed in
"Specifications" at end of this section.
C A U T IO N : D ra g link must not bind on
ball studs as wheels are turned to extreme
right and left positions.
D R A G LIN K E N D A D J U S T M E N T
(V IE W B , FIG. 7)
The socket end of the drag link shown in View
B , figure 7, can be manually adjusted. This adjust­
ment is required whenever drag link has been over­
hauled or whenever the idler lever ball is found
to have end play in drag link socket. Adjust drag
link as follows:
1. Remove cotter pin from end of socket, then
use a drag link bit in screw plug slot to tighten
plug firmly to remove all end movement fromball.
2. Back off end plug % to % turn and install a
new cotter pin to lock the adjustment. Ball joints
must be tight enough to prevent end play, yet loose
enough to allow free movement. Thoroughly lubri­
cate end sockets as described in L U B R IC A T IO N
(SEC. 0) of this manual.
CHEVROLET SERIES 70 -80 H EAVY DUTY TRUCK S H O P M A N U A L