Steering Knuckles - 4wd GMC Suburban R1500

DESCRIPTION

Open type steering knuckles are used on all models. Open type knuckles provide sharper turning angle, which will decrease vehicle turning radius. Axle shafts are free floating. Depending upon vehicle model, steering knuckles can be attached to axle housing by either ball joints or roller bearings and king (pivot) pins.

BALL JOINTS

1. Raise vehicle and support securely. Disconnect tie rod 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 breakaway. Pull should not exceed 25 ft. lbs. (34 N.m). If excessive pull is required, remove upper ball joint stud nut. Loosen adjusting sleeve as required. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/gmc/suburban-r1500/1987-1991/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-knuckles-4wd__torque-specifications) table.

Scheme 9

Disassembly

1. Raise vehicle and support securely. Remove wheels. Remove brake caliper and rotor. Remove locking hubs (if equipped). (Scheme 10)
2. Disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove spindle nuts and lightly tap spindle with soft face hammer to free it from steering knuckle. Pull out axle shaft assembly. Remove hub and bearing assembly.
3. Remove ball joint cotter keys and nuts. Break ball joints loose from steering knuckle. Remove nuts holding lower knuckle to knuckle arm and separate components.
4. Clean all components with solvent and dry with compressed air. Inspect all parts for burrs, chips, wear, flat spots or cracks. Replace all damaged or worn parts.

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.

Scheme 10

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove brake caliper. Remove locking hubs (if equipped). (Scheme 9)
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 punch, drive out (from top to bottom) lower king pin bearing, bearing race, grease retainer and seal.

1. Install new grease retainer and bearing race in bottom of yoke. Fill grease retainer with lubricant. Grease bearing and install in race. Install 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. Install upper king pin.
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 new gasket. Tighten nuts alternately and evenly to specifications.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS