1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU suspension

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
0 Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
0 Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted
by the tow truck.
0 Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
0 Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
A vehicle
can fall from a car-carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, turn the ignition key
to ACC. The steering wheel should be clamped in a
straight-ahead position, with a clamping device
designed
for towing service. The transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
5-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I 1 Front Towing
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or fascia
damage will occur.
Use wheel-lift or car-carrier
equipment. Additional ramping may be required
for carcarrier equipment. Use safety chains and
wheel straps.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE:
(Continued)
I
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 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 carcarrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted
in the
T-hook slots.
5-10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Towing
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or the rear
bumper valance 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.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE: (Continued)
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 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 carcarrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
5-1 1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Do not jack or lift the vehicle using the oil pan.
Pans could crack and begin to leak fluid. When
jacking
or lifting your vehicle, always place the
jack in the proper position.
NOTICE:
Do not jack or lift the vehicle using the
suspension components. Suspension components
can be damaged
by doing this. When jacking or
lifting your vehicle, always place the jack in the
proper position.
L
6. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench to the
right. Raise the vehicle
far enough off the ground so
there is enough room for the spare
tire to fit.
7. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
8. Then take off the flat tire.
5-26

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 dealer’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 steenng
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 damaged 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.
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. The
parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual adjustment is required. You may need to have your
brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
7-41

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1997 CHEVROLET/GEO SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATIC
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of y\
our vehicle can be purchased by filling OL
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.
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about tht
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: $10.00
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-29
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps
.................................... 2-36
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-29
High& ow Beam Changer
...................... 2-30
OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Wiring
..................................... 6-54
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-30
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-36
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4- 18
HOITI
......................................... 2-28
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 13
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-40
Illuminated EntryLExit
........................... 2-39
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-36
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-40
Brakesystem
................................ 7-41
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Inspections
.................................... 7-41 Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-48
Cleaning
.................................... 6-47
Cluster
..................................... 2-50
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-55
Intensity Control
............................. 2-38
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-38
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-22
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-38
Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-6
Battery Replacement
........................... 2-8
Operation
.................................... 2-7
Synchronization
............................... 6-9
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels
....................................... 6-53
Certification
................................. 4-31
Service
Parts Identification ..................... 6-53
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-30
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-53
Exterior
.................................... 2-36
Interior
..................................... 2-38
OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Lamps
........................................ 2-36
Fog
........................................ 2-38
MirrorReading
............................... 2-39
9-5