1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO suspension

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I A CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum
front or rear
GAWR.
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 life 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 will 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.
I
Things you put inside your vehicle can strik
injure people in
a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
0 Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
0 When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
0 Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
4-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing From the Front
(Except All-Wheel Drive)
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (56 kd), 50 miles (80 km)
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or the
front bumper system will be damaged. Use
wheel-lift or car-carrier equipment. Additional
ramping may be required for car-carrier
equipment. Use safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment. To
help avoid damage, install a towing dolly and
raise the vehicle until adequate clearance is
obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components
when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
5-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing From the Front (All-Wheel Drive)
A towing dolly must be used under the rear wheels when
towing from the front.
I
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or the
front bumper system will be damaged. Use
wheel-lift or car-carrier equipment. Additional
ramping may
be required for car-carrier
equipment. Use safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment. To
help avoid damage, install
a towing dolly and
raise the vehicle until adequate clearance is
obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
5-10

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 Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall).
You should let your GM dealership’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs
are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in
a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. 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 build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in
the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
i;.
7-47

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 Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-6
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-32
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-2 1
Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-34
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Prop
....................................... 6-10
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-31
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-17
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2. I 5
Ignition Transmission Lock Check ................. 7-46
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-44
Inspections
.................................... 7-47
Brakesystem
................................ 7-48
Drive Axle
.................................. 7-48
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-47
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-47
Steering
.................................... 7-47
Suspension
.................................. 7-47
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-47
InstrumentPanel
............................... 2-56
Brightness Control
............................ 2-39
Cleaning
.................................... 6-54
Cluster
..................................... 2-58
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-62
Interior Lamps
.................................. 2-39
Inside
Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-41 Jack.
Tire
.................................... 5-24
Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Keyless Entry System
........................... 2-7
Key Lock Cylinders Service
...................... 7-44
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels CertificationlTire
............................. 4-28
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-60
Tire-Loading information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-60
Lamps
........................................ 2-37
Courtesy
.................................... 2-39
Dome
...................................... 2-39
Interior
..................................... 2-39
On Reminder
................................ 2-38
Latches, Seatback
................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle
with the Engine Running ....... 2-25
Lighter
....................................... 2-50
Lights
Air
Bag Readiness ....................... 1-28, 2-61
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-64, 4-7
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-63
Charging System
............................. 2-61
CheckGages
................................ 2-68
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1 - 13, 2-60
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-65
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator
............... 2-68
9-5