1997 GMC SIERRA suspension

If the water isn’t too deep, then drive through it slowly.
At fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system
and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur
if you
get your tailpipe under water. And, as long as your
tailpipe is under water, you’ll never be able
to start your
engine. When you go through water, remember that when
your brakes get wet, it may
take you longer to stop.
ki CAU IN:
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers could drown.
If it’s
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and
you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle
over. Don’t drive
through rushing water.
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.
See “Driving Through Water”
in the Index for more
information on driving through water.
4-26
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Loading Your Vehicle
I-
GAWR FRT
RIM COLD TIRE PRESSURE
-!=2 - I
The Certificationrnire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver’s door or in the Incomplete Vehicle Document
in the cab.
The label shows the size of
your original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to obtain the gross weight
capacity
of your vehicle. This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certificationmire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads on
your front and rear axles, you need
to go to a weigh
station
and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help
you
with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for
either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
/;1 CAUTION:
In the case of a den 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.
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.
4-41
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Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule =- Gasoline Engines
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, kingpin bushings,
steering linkage, transmission shift linkage, transfer case
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear driveline
center splines, front axle propshaft splines and brake
pedal springs. Ball joints and kingpin bushings should
not be lubricated unless their temperature
is 10°F
(- 12°C) or higher, or they could be damaged.
+ 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.
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Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasdin-
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, kingpin bushings,
steering linkage, transmission shift linkage, transfer case
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear driveline
center splines, front axle propshaft splines and brake
pedal springs. Ball joints and kingpin bushings should
not be lubricated unless their temperature is 10 OF
(- 12°C) or higher, or they could be damaged.
+ 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
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.
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed at every engine oil change.
3500 HD Models with applications requiring
high-speed (above
45 mph or 70 kmh) operation for
extended periods of time must have the drive axle
fluid changed every
30,000 miles (50 000 km).
7-31
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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 and Suspension 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.
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.
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1997 GMC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling c
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 GMC
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
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and intended to provide basic operational information about t
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenanc 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.
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-Discove
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Garage Door Opener ............................ 2-52
GAWR
....................................... 4-41
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission
............. 2- 15
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission .......... 2- 19. 2-20
GloveBox
.................................... 2-52
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-41
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-41
Guide
en Fransais 11
GVWR ....................................... 4-41
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-39
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-6
Headlamps .................................... 2-43
Bulb Replacement
....................... 6.40. 6.41
HigWLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-37
OnReminder
................................ 2-44
Wiring
..................................... 6-70
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-37
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-35
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-35
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-53
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-9
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................... 6-26
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-3 1
Horn
......................................... 2-35 Ignition
Positions
.............................. 2-11
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
................. 7-48
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-46
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-51
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-48
Inspections
.................................... 7-49
Brake System
................................ 7-50
DriveAxle
.................................. 7-50
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-49
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-49
Steering
.................................... 7-49
Suspension
.................................. 7-49
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-49
Transfer Case (Four-wheel Drive)
............... 7-50
Instrumentpanel
............................... 2-62
Cleaning
.................................... 6-63
Cluster
..................................... 2-64
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-71
Intensity Control
............................. 2-46
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-46
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-23
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-46
Key Release Button
............................. 2-12
Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-7
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
9-5
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