1994 GMC SIERRA suspension

After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the underbody, chassis or
under the hood. These accumulations can be
a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand, have the brake linings cleaned and checked.
These substances can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the body
structure, steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust system for
damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to off-road use. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired
- by alcohol or drugs. with night vision
problems,
or by fatigue.
Here are some tips
on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
a Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlights
behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more
space between you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights can light
up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
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Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing up and firmly applying
the
brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to
be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake parts in
them, as your vehicle does when it is new. When you replace parts of your
braking system
- for example, when your brake linings wear down and
you have to have new ones put
in - be sure you get new genuine GM
replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly.
For example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes can change, for
the
worse. The braking performance you’ve come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Other Maintenance Hems
Front Suspension and Steering Linkage
Your maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate the fittings.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index for the proper
lubricant to use.
Front Wheel Bearings
Your vehicle has front wheel bearings that must be cleaned and repacked.
Your maintenance schedule
will tell you how often this must be done.
Front Shock Absorbers
The front shock absorbers of your vehicle do many things. They help the
vehicle ride smoothly and also control
the travel of the suspension system.
When the shock absorbers are serviced, any replacement shock absorbers
must be
the same as the original equipment shock absorbers in both
extended length and strength.
NOTICE:
If you use shock absorbers that are not the same as the original
shock absorbers, the shock absorbers
or suspension system
could be damaged.
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A CAUTION:
In the case of a sudden stop or collision, things carried in the bed
of your truck could shift forward and come into the passenger
area, injuring you and others.
If you put things in the bed of
your truck, you should make sure they are properly secured.
A CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear
GAWRs. If you do, parts on your
vehicle-can break, or it can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control. Also, overloading can
shorten the Iife
of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings.
Ask your dealer to help you load your vehicle
the right
way.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or components that fail
because
of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle-like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else-they
go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or
turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
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Explanation Of Scheduled Mainienance Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in the maintenance charts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in this section. Make sure
whoever services your vehicle uses these. All parts should be replaced and
all necessary repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
1. ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER CHANGE“‘ - ALWAYS USE
SJ3 ENERGY CONSERVING I1 (GASOLINE ENGINE) OR CF-4/SH
(DIESEL ENGINE) QUALITY OILS
OF THE PROPER VISCOSITY.
To determine the preferred viscosity oil for your vehicle’s engine (e.g.
SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30), see “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
2. CHASSIS LUBRICATION - Lubricate the front suspension, king
pin bushings, steering linkage, transmission, and transfer case shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear driveline center splines and
front axle propshaft splines, brake pedal springs, and clutch pedal
springs at the intervals specified.
If you have a 3500
HD, lubricate the king pins and king pin bushings,
every
1,500 miles (2500 km) for Maintenance Schedule I, or every
3,000 (5000 km) for Maintenance Schedule 11.
Ball joints and king pin bushings should not be lubricated unless their
temperature
is 10” F (-12”C), or higher. When the weather is cold, let
them warm up before lubrication or
they could be damaged.
Also, be sure
to check all the vehicle fluid levels at this time.
3.
CLUTCH FORK BALL STUD LUBRICATION (5-SPEED
MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH DEEP LOW
) - Lubricate the
clutch fork ball stud through the fitting
on the clutch housing.
Lubricant must be added “sparingly” to
the fitting, as only .0066 lb.
(.003 kg) is required to lubricate the ball stud surface. Do not add
lubricant more often than the intervals
in the Maintenance Charts. Too
much lubricant will damage the clutch assembly.
4. COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE”’? - Drain, flush and refill system
with new coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
the proper
coolant and mixture to use
in your vehicle.
Also inspect the hoses and replace them
if they are cracked, swollen, or
deteriorated. Tighten all hose clamps (except constant tension clamps).
Remove debris and clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the radiator neck.
To ensure proper
operation, pressure test.
the radiator and cap.
* An Emission Control Service
?A fluid
loss in these systems may indicate a problem. Have them
inspected and repaired at once.
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Steering and Suspension Inspection? - Inspect front and rear suspension
and steering system for damaged, loose
or missing parts, signs of wear or
lack
of lubrication. Inspect power steering lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Lubricate the steering linkage.
Accelerator Control System - On gasoline engines, lubricate the pivot at
the
TBI throttle lever stud with engine oil. Do not oil any accelerator or
cruise control cables. Replace any cables that have high effort
or excessive
wear.
Exhaust System Inspection - Inspect the complete system including the
three-way catalytic converter. Inspect the body near the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged, missing or out-of-position parts,
as well as,
open seams, holes, loose connections or other conditions which could cause
a heat buildup in
the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes seep into the
passenger compartments.
Drive Axle Service? - Check readfront axle fluid level and add as needed.
Check constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
I-- ~ lsfer Case (Four-wheel Drive) Inspection? - Every 12 months or at
oil change intervals, check front axle and transfer case and add lubricant
when necessary. Oil the control lever pivot point and all exposed control
linkage. Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and proper installation.
More frequent lubrication may be required
on heavy-duty or off-road use.
?'A fluid loss in these systems may indicate a problem. Have them inspected
and repaired at once.
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L
Labels Certificatioflire
.............................................. 6-65
Truck-Camper
............................................... 6-68
Lights
......................................................... 2-70
BrakeSystemWarning
......................................... 2-70
Bulb Replacement
................................... 2-52.6-53. 6-98
Cargo Lamp
............................................ 2.58. 6.60
Charging System Light
......................................... 2-73
Check Gages Light
............................................ 2-75
CHMSL
..................................................... 2-82
DomeLights
................................................. 2-51
Fender
...................................................... 6-58
Front Parking/Turn Signal
....................................... 6-55
GlowPlugsLight
............................................. 2-72
Headlights (See “Headlights”)
Indicator
.................................................... 2-77
Low Coolant Warning
.......................................... 2-73
Malfunction Indicator
..................................... 2.74. 6.66
Reading
..................................................... 2-51
Service Engine
Soon ........................................... 2-74
Service Throttle Soon
.......................................... 2-72
SideMarker
.................................................. 6-58
Rear .................................................... 6-60. 6-61
Replacementchart
............................................ 6-98
RoofMarker
................................................. 6-59
TailgateMarker
................................................ 6-59
Underhood Reel Lamp
......................................... 2-53
WaterInFuel
................................................. 2-71
LoadingYourVehicle
............................................ 6-65
Lubrication
..................................................... 6-51
Accelerator Control System
..................................... 6-51
Body
....................................................... 6-51
Constant Velocity Joints
........................................ 6-51
FrontAxle
................................................... 6-37
Front Shock Absorbers
......................................... 6-49
Front Suspension and Steering Linkage
............................ 6-49
FrontWheelBearings
.......................................... 6-49
TailgateHandle
............................................... 6-52
Hood Latches and Hinge ........................................ 6-51
Hydraulic Clutch Grease Fitting
.................................. 6-35
Lockcylinders
............................................... 6-52
Propeller Shaft Slip Splines
..................................... 6-51
RearAxle ................................................... 6-35
Recommended Lubricants
...................................... 7-25
Transfer Case
................................................ 6-36
Operation
................................................... 249
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