1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO brakes

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly). NOTICE:
0
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
A CAUThN:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions
or climates may cause a brake
squeal when
the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean somethim
is wrong with
your brakes.
6-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and
evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence
to GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also,
the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When
you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection’’ in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
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.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. 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 approved 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.
6-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
( 166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections’’ following.
Footnotes
‘f The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not
nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and kingpin
bushings, steering linkage and transfer case shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, and brake
pedal springs.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection’’ under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspection”
in Part C of this schedule.
:%* Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index for proper lubricant to use):
0
0
0
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine
oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving
in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty use.
7-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Long TriplHighway Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
( 166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles
(240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will
not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and kingpin
bushings, steering linkage and transfer case shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, and brake
pedal springs.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in Part
C of this schedule.
** Drive axle service (see “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index
for proper lubricant to use):
0 Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed.
0 Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed at every engine oil change.
7-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Ransmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
0 The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever
is in PARK (P).
0 The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK
(P) Mechanism Check
I A CAUTION: I
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake
at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot
on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission
in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK
(P). Then
release all brakes.
7-46

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Drive Axle Service
Check readfront axle fluid level and add as needed.
Check constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
Transfer Case (All-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.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need
to have
your brakes inspected more
often if your driving habits
or conditions result
in frequent braking.
7-48

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1997 CHEVROLET/GEO SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in \
with your check, money order,
or credit card information
to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 CHEVROLET/GEO
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL
SELL PRICE: $90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1997 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
-I€ FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.U. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-Mastercard-Discover)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-52
Add-on Equipment
............................. 4-30
AirBag
....................................... 1-27
Adding Equipment
............................ 1-33
How Does
it Restrain .......................... 1-3 1
How it Works ................................ 1-29
Location
.................................... 1-29
Readiness Light
......................... 1.28. 2.61
Servicing
................................... 1-32
What Makes
it Intlate .......................... 1-30
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-3 I
When Should it Inflate ......................... 1-30
AirCleanerFilter
............................... 6-19
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-67
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-48
All-Wheel Drive
.......................... 2.22. 6.23
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-57
Antenna. Fixed
................................. 3-30
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-25
Anti-Lock
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.64. 4.7
Anti.Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-26
Appearance Care
............................... 6-50
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-59
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-50
Air
Conditioning
................................ 3-5 Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-28
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-9
Automatic Transmission Check
........................... 7-44
Transmission Fluid
............................ 6-20
Transmission Operation
........................ 2-19
Front
....................................... 6-24
LockingRear
................................ 2-22
Rear
....................................... 6-25
Battery
...................................... 6-36
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry
............... 2-9
Wdrnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Brake
Adjustment
.................................. 6-35
Fluid
....................................... 6-32
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-32
Parking
..................................... 2-23
PedalTravel
................................. 6-35
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-35
System Warning Light
......................... 2-63
Trailer ...................................... 4-35
Transmission Shift Interlock Check
............... 7-45
Wear
....................................... 6-34
Axle
9-1