1997 PONTIAC PONTIAC suspension

,-., ., . ........
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isnst" .,''.' ''.
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, have the ignition
turned to the
OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clamped in
a straight-ahead position, with a
clamping device designed for towing service.
Do not
use the vehicle's steering column lock for this. The
transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking
brake released. Don't have your vehicle towed on the front
wheels,
unless you must.
If the vehicle must be towed on the
front wheels,
be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limitations must be exceeded, then the
front wheels have to be supported
on a dolly.
Front Towing
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NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascidfog lamp damage will occur. 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 €.om vehicle
to ground or vehicle
to wheel-lift equipment. To
help avoid damage, raise the vehicle until
adequate clearance
is obtained between the
ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or Jnhooks to
suspension components when using car carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
Attach T-hook chains in the
front brackets
of the cradle,
ow both sides.
These slots are to be used when loading and securing to
car carrier equipment.
5-10
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NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or the rear
bumper fascia will be damaged.
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 '6-books inserted in the
T-hook slots.
Attach T-hook chains to the T-hook slots in the
floor pan support rails, just ahead of the rear wheels,
on both sides.
These slots are to be used when loading and securing to
car carrier equipment.
5-12
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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, 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 damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high eEort 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. Inspect other brake parts,
including 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.
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1997 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servking of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing if in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 PONTIAC
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
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended
to lprovide 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: $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.
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Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-37
Hazard Warning Flashers 5-2
Headlamps
.................................... 2-38
- ..........................
Head Restraints ................................. 1-7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-37
HigNLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-33
Wiring
...................................... 6-66
Head-Up Display
............................... 2-83
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-5
Heating
.................................... 3-4, 3-8
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-33
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-23
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-34
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn ....................................... 2-31
HUD ......................................... 2-83
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4- 19
Careof ..................................... 2-86
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 15
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check .................... 7-42
Inflation, Tire
.................................. 6-45
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror ................. 2-53
Brakesystem
................................ 7-43
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle
Boot .................. 7-43
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle
Seal ................... 7-43
Radiator and Heater
Hose ...................... 7-43
Inspections Steering
......
Suspension ....
Throttle Linkage
Instrument Panel
.
Cleaning ......
Cluster .......
Fuse Block ....
Lamps ........
Interior Lamps ... ............
...... 7-43
.............................. 7-43
.............................. 7-43
.............................. 2-62
6-58
.............................. 2-62
............................ 6-67
....................... 2-40
.......................... 2-40
..............................
..
Jack. Tire ............. ..
Jump Starting .....................
......... 5-26
....... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
... .............. 7-40
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels ....................................... 4-30
Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-65
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-29
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-65
Lamps ........................................ 2-38
Courtesy
.................................... 2-41
Interior
..................................... 2-40
Rear Assist Handle Reading
.................... 2-43
Latches, Seatback
................................ 1-7
Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-27
Lighter
....................................... 2-58
9-5
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