Steering Knuckles - 4wd GMC Cab & Chassis R2500

DESCRIPTION

Open type steering knuckles are used on all models. Open type knuckles provide a sharper turning angle, which will decrease the vehicle turning radius. All steering knuckles used on light duty trucks are mechanically similar. Total vehicle weight is carried by the axle housing and steering knuckle. The axle shafts are free floating. Depending upon vehicle model, the steering knuckles can be attached to the axle housing by either ball joints or roller bearings and king (pivot) pins.

BALL JOINTS (K10/K20)

1. Raise vehicle and support securely. Disconnect tie-rod at steering knuckle. Connect a spring tension gauge to tie-rod hole in steering knuckle. Place steering knuckle in straight ahead position.
2. Measure force required to pull steering knuckle to the right after initial breakaway. The pull should not exceed 25 ft. lbs. (34 N.m). If pull required is excessive, remove upper ball joint stud nut. Loosen adjusting sleeve as required.

TURNING ANGLE ADJUSTMENT

1. Turning angle stop screws are located at rear of steering knuckle, just above axle centerline. To adjust, loosen lock nut on turning angle stop screw. Ford Motor Co. vehicles are non-adjustable.
2. Using a turntable to measure angle, adjust stop screw to obtain specified angle. Tighten lock nut without changing setting.

TURNING ANGLE ADJUSTMENT

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

After performing appropriate service procedures, refer to appropriate WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.

Disassembly

1. Raise vehicle and support securely. Remove wheels. Remove brake caliper and rotor. If equipped, remove locking hubs. See LOCKING HUBS in the DRIVE AXLES section.
2. Disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove spindle nuts and lightly tap spindle with a soft face hammer to free it from steering knuckle. Pull out axle shaft assembly. On General Motors "S" series, remove hub and bearing assembly.
3. Remove ball joint cotter keys and nuts. Break ball joints loose from steering knuckle. On Chrysler Corp. vehicles, lower ball joint does not need to be disconnected. Remove nuts holding lower knuckle-to-knuckle arm and separate components.
4. Clean all components with solvent and blow them dry with compressed air. Inspect all parts for burrs, chips, wear, flat spots or cracks. Replace all damaged or worn parts.

Exploded View Of Ball Joint Type Steering Knuckle Assembly. Scheme 1

Reassembly

To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Torque all fittings to specifications.

Note. When aligning upper ball joint nut to install cotter pin, always tighten nut to align. Never loosen nut to align holes.

1. Raise vehicle and support securely. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove brake caliper. If equipped, remove locking hubs. See appropriate AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS article in the DRIVE AXLES section.
2. Remove hub lock mechanism. Remove snap ring. Pry out driving hub and spring. Remove wheel bearing lock nut. Outer wheel bearing and retainer will come off with hub.
3. Remove inner bearing and seal from hub. Remove inner and outer bearing races (if necessary) with brass punch. Remove spindle. Carefully pull axle shaft assembly through hole in steering knuckle.
4. Disconnect steering linkage at knuckle. Remove nuts from upper king pin cap. Remove nuts alternately as spring will force cap up. Remove cap, compression spring, and gasket.
5. Remove nuts from lower cap. Remove cap and king pin. Remove upper king pin tapered bushing and knuckle from axle yoke. Remove upper king pin from yoke using puller.
6. Using a punch, drive out lower king pin bearing, bearing race, grease retainer, and seal. Drive out from top to bottom.

1. Install a new grease retainer and bearing race in bottom of yoke. Fill grease retainer with lubricant. Grease bearing and install in race. Install a new lower king pin oil seal.
2. Care must be taken not to distort seal as it is driven into place. It will protrude slightly from surface of yoke. Using socket, install upper king pin. Installation torque is 500-600 ft. lbs. (680-816 N.m).
3. Position felt seal on king pin. Install steering knuckle and tapered bushing on king pin. Install lower bearing cap and king pin. Tighten bolts alternately and evenly to specifications.
4. Install compression spring on upper king pin bushing. Install bearing cap using a new gasket. Tighten nuts alternately and evenly to specifications.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS