FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING & AXLE
Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
35
Repair and Service Manual
699327
FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING & AXLE
MAINTENANCE
NOTICE: In the following text, there are references
to removing/installing bolts etc. Additional
hardware (nuts, washers etc.) that is removed must
always be installed in its original position unless
otherwise specified (See HARDWARE on page 5).
Routine maintenance of the front suspension and steer-
ing consists of:
•
periodic inspections for loose, worn or damaged
components
•
alignment checks
•
lubrication of ball joints and wheel bearings
Be sure to use only the recommended lubricants. Main-
tain correct adjustment of the front bearings and repack
in accordance with the Periodic Service Schedule or if a
bearing replacement is required. Routine examination
of the tires will provide indications if an alignment is
required (See SERVICE SCHEDULE on page 4).
Lubrication
Tool List
Qty.
Grease Gun .................................................................1
Shop Towels .............................................................AR
Grease the rack ball joint (1). Wipe off old grease and
dirt from the grease fitting and do not use more than
three pumps of grease in any grease fitting. Wipe off
any grease that is forced out of rubber boot (Ref Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Lubrication Points
Do not use more than three (3)
pumps of grease in any grease fit-
ting at any one time. Excess grease
may cause grease seals to fail or grease migration
into areas that could damage components.
Wheel Bearing and King Pin Bushing
inspection
To prevent possible injury or death
resulting from a vehicle falling from
a jack, follow the lifting procedure.
Be sure vehicle is on a firm and level surface (See
LIFTING THE VEHICLE on page 9).
Never get under a vehicle while it is supported by a
jack. Use jack stands and test the stability of the
vehicle on stands before beginning any repair pro-
cedure. Always place chocks in front and behind
wheels not being raised. Use extreme care since the
vehicle is extremely unstable during the lifting pro-
cess.
Lift the front of the vehicle and support on jack stands
(See LIFTING THE VEHICLE on page 9). Rotate the
front wheel and feel for any roughness. While holding
the spindle with one hand, grasp the bottom of the tire
with the other hand and rock the tire back and forth on
the spindle.
NOTICE: Some minor rocking movement of tire is
normal.
If excess movement is detected, the wheel bearing may
require repacking and adjusting or replacement (See
Wheel Bearing Packing on page 35) (See Wheel Bearing
Adjustment on page 36) (See Wheel Bearing and Race
Replacement on page 40).
If excess movement is detected and the wheel bearing is
in good condition a worn spindle bearing is indicated.
The spindle bearings can not be replaced, the spindle
with bearings installed is available through service parts
(See Spindle Replacement on page 46).
Wheel Bearing Packing
Tool List
Qty.
Grease Gun .................................................................1
Bearing Packer (Recommended).................................1
Remove the hub from the spindle and disassemble
(See Hub Replacement on page 40).
Clean all bearings, the grease seal and hub in solvent
and dry thoroughly. Inspect for signs of damage. Pitting
or a blue coloration of the rollers will indicate a failed or
failing bearing. If the roller portion of the bearing is to be
replaced, the race must also be replaced (See Wheel
Bearing and Race Replacement on page 40).
The front wheel bearings are tapered roller type and
must be packed with grease at installation or any time
the bearing is removed for inspection. It is recom-
mended that a bearing packer attached to a grease gun
be used; however, manual packing is acceptable if done
correctly. To pack a bearing manually requires that a
dab of grease be placed in the palm of the hand and the
bearing be dipped in the grease. Force the grease up
through and around all of the rollers until the entire
bearing is saturated in grease.
Front of Vehicle
1
PRELIMINARY
