BALL JOINT TURNING EFFORT
Note. Front axle ball joint adjustment is only necessary when there is excessive play in steering, irregular wear on tire or persistent loosening of tie rod.
Scheme 17
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Install Axle Shaft Boot Seal Protector (J-28712) on axle shaft boot to protect boot during repair. Depress brake caliper piston, detach brake caliper and wire aside. Remove brake rotor.
- Remove cotter pin and retainer (if equipped) from axle shaft nut. Remove nut and washer from axle shaft. Remove cotter pin and tie rod end nut. Separate tie rod end from steering knuckle. (Scheme 17)
- Attach puller to hub. Tighten pressure screw, and force axle shaft from hub and bearing assembly. Remove hub and bearing assembly from steering knuckle. Remove splash shield. Support lower control arm using floor jack or jackstand. CAUTION: Support lower control arm with floor jack or jackstand to maintain tension on torsion bar.
- Remove cotter pins from ball joint studs. On "T" Series, place Ball Joint Separator (J-34026) over upper or lower ball joint. (Scheme 18) Loosen ball joint nut. Back off until nut contacts ball joint separator. Continue backing off nut until nut forces ball stud out of steering knuckle.
- On all other models, separate ball joint from steering knuckle using Ball Joint Separator (J-36607). On all models, remove steering knuckle from vehicle without damaging or moving axle shaft. Remove seal from steering knuckle.
Scheme 18
Installation
- To install, reverse removal procedure. Using seal installer, install NEW seal in steering knuckle. Use Seal Installer(J-36605) for Astro and Safari, (J-36606) for "K" Series or (J-28574) for "T" Series.
- On "T" Series, ensure spacer is installed on steering knuckle at upper ball joint stud hole. On all models, tighten bolts/nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/cab-chassis-k3500/1989-2000/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-knuckles-4wd) . If necessary, tighten tie rod and ball joint nuts to align cotter key hole. DO NOT loosen nuts for alignment. Remove boot protector from axle shaft.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
| Application | Ft. Lbs. (N.m) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Astro & Safari | |||
| Axle Shaft Nut | 173 (235) | ||
| Ball Joint Nut (Lower) | 94 (128) | ||
| Ball Joint Nut (Upper) | 66 (90) | ||
| Brake Caliper Bolt | 37 (50) | ||
| Hub & Bearing Assembly Bolt | 66 (90) | ||
| Splash Shield Bolt | 12 (16) | ||
| Tie Rod Nut | 37 (50) | ||
| Wheel Lug Nut | 103 (140) | ||
| "K" Series | |||
| Axle Shaft Nut | 173 (235) | ||
| Ball Joint Nut (Lower) | 94 (128) | ||
| Ball Joint Nut (Upper) | 74 (100) | ||
| Brake Caliper Bolt | 37 (50) | ||
| Hub & Bearing Assembly Bolt | 133 (180) | ||
| Splash Shield Bolt | 19 (26) | ||
| Tie Rod Nut | 35 (48) | ||
| Wheel Lug Nut | |||
| Dual Wheel (Heavy-Duty) | 177 (240) | ||
| Dual Wheel | 140 (190) | ||
| Single Wheel | 118 (160) | ||
| "T" Series | |||
| Axle Shaft Nut | 181 (245) | ||
| Ball Joint Nut | 70 (95) | ||
| Brake Caliper Bolt | 37 (50) | ||
| Hub & Bearing Assembly Bolt | 77 (105) | ||
| Tie Rod Nut | 35 (47) | ||
| Wheel Lug Nut | 96 (130) | ||
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
See also:
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS