2003 GMC SIERRA front axle

Front Axle
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See Part A:Part A:
Scheduled Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.If the level is below the bottom of thefiller plug hole,
you may need to add some lubricant.
When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to
raise the level to 0 to 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) below thefiller
plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of thefiller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See Part D:Part D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
5-47
2003 - Sierra Denali

A:Front Location
B:Rear Location
Notice:If your vehicle is equipped with
QUADRASTEER™avoid contact with tie rods and
tie rod boots when jacking the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.
{CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal
injury and vehicle damage, be sure tofit the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising the vehicle.
3. Position the jack under the vehicle. If theflat tire is
on the front of the vehicle, position the jack on the
frame behind theflat tire.
If theflat tire is on the rear, position the jack under
the rear axle between the spring anchor and the
shock absorber bracket. Jack Positions (overall view)
5-70
2003 - Sierra Denali

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-5
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month.................................6-10
At Least Twice a Year...................................6-10At Least Once a Year
...................................6-11
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.........6-14
Steering and Suspension Inspection
................6-14
Exhaust System Inspection
............................6-14
Fuel System Inspection
..................................6-14
Engine Cooling System Inspection
...................6-14
Transfer Case and Front Axle (All-Wheel
Drive) Inspection
.......................................6-15
Brake System Inspection
................................6-15
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
. . . .6-15
Part E: Maintenance Record
...........................6-17
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1
2003 - Sierra Denali

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-13for information on resetting the system.
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components with each engine oil
and filter change.
Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, transmission shift linkage, transfer case shift
linkage and parking brake cable guides. Ball joints
should not be lubricated unless their temperature is 10°F
(-12°C) or higher or they could be damaged.
See the mileage intervals following for additional
services that may be performed with an engine oil
change and chassis lubrication. After the services are
performed, record the date, odometer reading and
who performed the service on the maintenance record
pages in Part E of this schedule.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerfilter change indicator.
If necessary, replace thefilter. If vehicle is driven
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspectfilter change
indicator at every engine oil change. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerfilter change indicator.
If necessary, replace thefilter. If vehicle is driven
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspectfilter change
indicator at every engine oil change. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
6-6
2003 - Sierra Denali

❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace fuelfilter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote†.)
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerfilter change indicator.
If necessary, replace thefilter. If vehicle is driven
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspectfilter change
indicator at every engine oil change. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transmissionfluid andfilter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axle uid level and add uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-7
2003 - Sierra Denali

60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerlter change indicator.
If necessary, replace thelter. If vehicle is driven
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspectlter change
indicator at every engine oil change. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace fuellter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote†.)
❑Inspect Evaporative Control System. Check all fuel
and vapor lines and hoses for proper hook-up,
routing and condition. Check that the purge valve
works properly, if equipped. Replace as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
67,500 Miles (112 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerlter change indicator.
If necessary, replace thelter. If vehicle is driven
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspectlter change
indicator at every engine oil change. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerlter change indicator.
If necessary, replace thelter. If vehicle is driven
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspectlter change
indicator at every engine oil change. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
6-8
2003 - Sierra Denali

❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Replace fuellter.An Emission Control Service.
(See Footnote†.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transmissionuid, change
both theuid andlter.
❑Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain,ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occursrst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-9
2003 - Sierra Denali

Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
Every 12 months, or at engine oil change intervals,
check front axle and transfer case and add lubricant
when necessary. Auid loss could indicate a problem.
Check and have it repaired, if needed. Check vent
hose at transfer case for kinks and proper installation.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-23.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brakeuid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
6-15
2003 - Sierra Denali