Steering Knuckles - 4wd GMC Sonoma Syclone

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. Information for "V" Series Model V3 is not available from manufacturer.

"V" SERIES MODELS V1 & V2

1. Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect tie rod and steering linkage at steering knuckle. Connect 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 right after initial break-away. Pull should not exceed 25 ft. lbs. (34 N.m) in either direction.
3. If excessive pull is required, remove upper ball joint stud nut. Loosen adjusting sleeve as required using Stud Wrench (J-23447). (Scheme 18) Reconnect tie rod and steering linkage.

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

1. 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 move aside. Remove brake rotor.
2. Remove cotter pin and retainer (if equipped) from nut for axle shaft. (Scheme 19) Remove nut and washer from axle shaft. Remove cotter pin and tie rod end nut. Separate tie rod end from steering knuckle.
3. 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 with floor jack or jack stand. CAUTION: Lower control arm must be supported with floor jack or jack stand to maintain tension on torsion bar.
4. Remove cotter pins from ball joint studs. On "T" Series, place Ball Joint Separator (J-34026) over upper or lower ball joint. Loosen ball joint nut. (Scheme 20) Back off until nut contacts ball joint separator. Continue backing off nut until nut forces ball stud out of steering knuckle.
5. 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 20

INSTALLATION

1. 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).
2. 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»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-knuckles-4wd) table at end of article. 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.

Note. For locking hub and wheel bearing service procedures, see appropriate article in SUSPENSION section.

REMOVAL ("V" SERIES MODELS V1 & V2)

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove brake caliper. Remove locking hubs (if equipped) and rotor and hub. See appropriate article in SUSPENSION.
2. Remove spindle nuts and lightly tap spindle with soft-face hammer to free it from steering knuckle. Disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle.
3. Remove steering arm-to-steering knuckle nuts and adapters. Remove steering arm from steering knuckle. Remove upper and lower ball joint nuts from steering knuckle. CAUTION: DO NOT remove adjusting sleeve unless new ball joints are to be installed. (Scheme 18) If necessary to loosen adjusting sleeve for steering knuckle removal use Stud Wrench (J- 23447). DO NOT loosen more than 2 threads.
4. Separate ball joints from steering knuckle. Remove steering knuckle.

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Lubricate bearing in spindle with wheel bearing grease. Install spindle using NEW retaining nuts. Tighten nuts to specification. Refer to the below «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-knuckles-4wd) table at end of this article.
2. Install NEW steering arm-to-steering knuckle retaining nuts. DO NOT reuse steering arm retaining nuts. Tighten bolts/nuts to specification. When aligning upper ball joint nut with cotter pin hole, always tighten nut. DO NOT loosen nut.

Note. On V1 and V2 models, it may be necessary to check ball joint turning effort when excessive play exists or irregular tire wear exists. See BALL JOINT TURNING EFFORT ADJUSTMENTS.

Note. For locking hub and wheel bearing service procedures, see appropriate article in SUSPENSION article.

REMOVAL ("V" SERIES MODEL V3)

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove brake caliper. Remove locking hubs (if equipped) and rotor/hub assembly. See appropriate article in SUSPENSION section.
2. Remove nuts, washers, splash shield, bracket and spindle. It may be necessary to lightly tap spindle with soft-face hammer to free it from steering knuckle.
3. Alternately remove upper kingpin cap bolts as spring pressure will force cap upward. Remove kingpin cap, gasket and spring. (Scheme 21) Alternately remove steering arm nuts as spring pressure will force steering arm upward. Disconnect steering arms from steering knuckle.
4. Remove lower kingpin cap assembly. Remove bushing from steering knuckle. Remove steering knuckle from axle housing. Remove retainer from steering knuckle.
5. Using breaker bar and Kingpin Remover/Installer (J-26871), remove kingpin from axle housing. Remove grease retainer, bearing race, bearing and seal from axle housing.

Note. Kingpin is tightened to 550 ft. lbs. (747 N.m), so extreme force is required to loosen it.

1. Using Bearing Installer (J-7817), install NEW grease retainer and bearing race in axle housing. Fill grease retainer area with wheel bearing grease. Pack bearing with wheel bearing grease. CAUTION: Ensure bearing is fully packed with wheel bearing grease before installation.
2. Install bearing. Using Seal Installer (J-22301), install seal in axle housing. DO NOT distort seal. Using kingpin remover/installer, install kingpin and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-knuckles-4wd) table at end of article.
3. Install felt seal on kingpin. Install steering knuckle on kingpin. Install bushing. Install lower kingpin cap assembly. Tighten bolts to specification. Install grease retainer, spring, gasket and upper kingpin cap. Tighten bolts to specification.
4. Lubricate bearing in spindle with wheel bearing grease. Install spindle and install NEW retaining nuts. Tighten nuts to specification. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure.

Scheme 21

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS