SMU - SECTION 3C - BALL JOINT WEAR CHECK

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO INFORM "GM OF CANADA" DEALERS THAT THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO UTILIZE THIS SERVICE BULLETIN.

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"GM OF CANADA" DEALERS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO UTILIZE THIS SERVICE BULLETIN.

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SUBJECT: SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE - SECTION 3C - BALL JOINT WEAR CHECK

MODELS: 1991-94 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA

THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTS NEW AND/OR REVISED INFORMATION FOR SECTION 3C IN THE 1991-94 BRAVADA SERVICE MANUALS.

BALL JOINT WEAR CHECK

TOOL REQUIRED: J 8001 DIAL INDICATOR

* BE SURE THE VEHICLE RESTS ON A LEVEL SURFACE.

* RAISE AND SUPPORT THE VEHICLE ON SAFETY STANDS.

MEASURE

1. WITH JACK STANDS PLACED UNDER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, PLACE A DIAL INDICATOR AGAINST THE SPINDLE TO SHOW VERTICAL MOVEMENT (FIGURE 1).

FIGURE--1 DIAL INDICATOR POSITION

2. PRY BETWEEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE OUTER BEARING RACE WHILE READING THE DIAL INDICATOR. THIS WILL SHOW VERTICAL LOOSENESS IN THE BALL JOINTS (FIGURE 2).

FIGURE--2 CHECKING LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR

3. THE LOWER BALL JOINT IS NOT A PRELOADED BALL JOINT AND MAY SHOW SOME LOOSENESS.

IMPORTANT

* DO NOT PRY BETWEEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND DRIVE AXLE SEAL. DAMAGE TO THE SEAL WILL RESULT. * IF THE DIAL INDICATOR READING IS MORE THAN 3.18 MM (0.125 INCH), REPLACE THE BALL JOINT.

4. IF THE LOWER BALL JOINT IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS AND THE HORIZONTAL LOOSENESS IS TOO MUCH, CHECK THE UPPER BALL JOINT FOR WEAR (FIGURE 3).

FIGURE 3--CHECKING BALL JOINT HORIZONTAL LOOSENESS

A. DISCONNECT THE BALL JOINT FROM THE KNUCKLE. B. IF ANY LOOSENESS IS FOUND OR THE STUD CAN BE TWISTED WITH YOUR FINGERS, REPLACE THE BALL JOINT.

FIGURES: 3

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.

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