1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX suspension

A CAUTION:
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, 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 PARK (P) 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.
5-10

I NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascidfog lamp damage will occur. Use wheel-lift
or carcarrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for carcarrier 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, 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 carcarrier
equipment. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots. Attach a separate safety chain around
the outboard end of each lower control arm.
NOTICE:
I
Take care not to damage speed sensor wires or
brake hoses when attaching chains and T-hooks.
5-12

Rear Towing
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (55 k&), 500 miles (800 km)
Use wheel-lift or car-carrier equipment. Additional
ramping may
be required for car-carrier equipment.
Use safety chains and wheel straps. For rear towing,
the parking brakes must be applied.
I NOTICE:
If the vehicle must be towed on the front wheels,
it cannot be towed more than a total of 500 miles
(800 km) for the lifetime of the vehicle.
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 carcarrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in
the T-hook slots.
5-13

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be
perfunned at least twice a year (for instance, each spring
and
fall). You should let your dealer’s service department
or other qual$ed 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 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.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, fittings
and clamps; replace
as needed. Clean the outside of the
radiator and
air conditioning condenser. To help ensure
proper
operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and
pressure cap is recommended at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged
or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components 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. 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.
7-18

1998 PONTIAC 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 1998 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
1998 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 RO. 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 lime
For Crdi Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Disr)

Inflation. Tire .................................. 6-45
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-52
Brake System
................................ 7- 18
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7- 18
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7- 18
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7- 18
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7- 18
Suspension
......... ..................... 7-18
Throttle System .............................. 7- 18
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-60
Cleaning
.................................... 6-54
Lamps
...................................... 2-42
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-42
Jumpstarting
................................. 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
...................... 7- 15
Inspections
Steering
.................................... 7-18
Cluster ..................................... 2-62
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-63
Jack. Tire
.................................. 5-29
Key in
the Ignition ............................. 2-13
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-32
ServicePartsIdentification ..................... 6-61
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-3 1
Vehicle Identification Number ................... 6-61 Lamps
Courtesy
.................................... 2-42
Exterior
.................................... 2-40
Interior
..................................... 2-42
Rear Assist Handle Reading
.................... 2-44
Last Door Closed Locking
.................... 2-6, 2-48
Latches, Seatback
................................ 1-7
Leaving Programming Mode ...................... 2-46
Leaving
Your Vehicle ............................. 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle with
the Engine Running ....... 2-29
Lighter and Ashtrays
............................ 2-57
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ............
Change Oil Soon .............
Charging System .............
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Brake System
Warning .........
Door Aiar ...................
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
1-23.2-67
. 2.67. 4.9
..... 2-66
..... 2-77
..... 2-65
..... 2-80 ..
Engine Coolant Temperature .................... 2-73
How to Reset the Change Oil Soon
......... 2.77. 6.219
LowFuel
................................... 2-75
LowOilLevel
............................... 2-72
LOWTRAC
................................. 2-77
LowTraction
................................ 2-70
Enhanced Traction System Warning .............. 2-67
Low Coolant Warning
......................... 2-74
Low Washer Fluid
............................ 2-74
Low Washer Fluid Warning ..................... 2-77
Safety Belt Reminder ...................... 1-9. 2-66
Service Engine
Soon .......................... 2-69
Oilwarning
................................. 2-71
TCSOFF
................................... 2-81
9-6