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Re: [GMCnet] Step by Step Procedure Was: Road Wonder [message #109910 is a reply to message #109867]

Mon, 27 December 2010 15:32

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Mike,

Thanks! Title your folder - "GMC steering inspection for Dummies." ;-)

Byron Songer has asked me if it's OK to post on the GMCES website and I told
him it was OK.

I suggested that he wait a few days to see if we get any comments. So far
I've only received accolades, I'd like to have some critics find weak points
in it so we can make it better.

If nothing critical comes in by Thursday I'm going to solicit them.

Regards,
Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Miller
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 2:01 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Step by Step Procedure Was: Road Wonder

Rob,

Very good write-up. I have captured the text and the picture. Everything
is clear when you look at both. Also good for learning the names of the
major parts.

This is something good that should be captured on the "info" web sites.

I plan on using your procedure to evaluate parts on all three of my coaches.
The basic idea is (with in reason): 1) Best parts go on my current "using"
coach. 2)second best parts go on the '73. 3) worse parts are used for cores
to get new parts for my "long time keeper" coach.

Thanks a bunch!
Mike

Robert Mueller wrote on Sun, 26 December 2010 22:32
> <<< snipped >>> ...
>
> 5) The following is a step by step procedure to check for play in the
> steering system that could contribute to the amount of play in the
steering
> wheel starting at the bottom of the steering column and working your way
out
> to both the wheels. YES it is long and YES it's going to take you some
time
> to go through it but when you're done you will KNOW where there is play in
> the system and how it is effecting your steering. You will note I have
> instructed you to record the amount of relative motion of two areas quite
> often throughout this procedure, you may find it easier to put your
fingers
> on the parts I've noted to feel the play. PLEASE BE careful not to get
your
> fingers pinched! If your assistant only moves the steering wheel an inch
or
> two each direction that is unlikely to happen but still be careful!
>
> I have scanned and posted an annotated copy of the page out of the Parts
> Book 78Z so you can locate each of the areas.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37249
>
> The circled numbers on the photo relate to the step numbers in the text
> below.
>
> 1) Have an assistant sit in the driver's seat and start the engine.
>
> 2) Open the driver's side hood
>
> 3) Direct your attention to the end of the Steering Column where the CV
> joint attaches. Have your assistant turn the wheel a small amount (inch or
> two) to the left and then back to the right. Watch/feel for relative
motion
> between the end of the steering column housing and the shaft. There is a
> bearing/retainer/adapter (Ref 78Z Page 16-8/9 Keys 31/33/34) in the end of
> the housing that if any of them failed it would allow the column to move.
> Record your findings.
>
> 4) Direct your attention to the top and bottom of the CV joint below the
end
> of the steering column. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left
and
> right. Watch/feel for relative motion between the upper and lower section
of
> the CV joint. The top and bottom should rotate the same amount. If the top
> and bottom do not move in unison that's play and depending on how much it
> may be unacceptable. Record your findings.
>
> 5) Direct your attention to the Shaft assembly below the CV joint. Have
your
> assistant move the steering wheel left and right. Watch/feel for relative
> motion between the blue section and the housing it slides into below it.
If
> the blue section moves inside the housing that's play and may be
> unacceptable depending on how much it moves. Record your findings.
>
> 6) Direct your attention to the universal joint at the bottom of the
housing
> the blue shaft slides into. Have your assistant move the steering wheel
left
> and right. Watch/feel for relative motion between the upper and lower
> sections of the universal joint. Once again the two sections should move
in
> unison. It is not uncommon for the bolt that holds the lower section to
the
> steering box spline not to be tight enough which allows the lower part to
> move. Record your findings.
>
> 7) Direct your attention to the input shaft of Steering Box and output
shaft
> of the Steering Box that the Pitman Arm is attached to. Have your
assistant
> move the steering wheel left and right. Watch/feel for relative motion
> between the input and output shaft of the steering box. They should move
in
> unison. Record your findings. Note: you may have to be under the GMC to
> perform this step.
>
> The following steps will have to be done from under the GMC. You may not
be
> able to crawl under it far enough to check the items properly without
> jacking it up. If I am correct jack up the front end just high enough to
> provide access leaving the tires in contact with the ground to provide
> resistance to turning. As always use jack stands, make sure the GMC is in
> Park, the hand brake is on and the rear wheels are chocked.
>
> 8) Direct your attention to the Tie Rod End on the Drag Link that attaches
> it to the Pitman arm. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and
> right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of
> the Tie Rod End. Record your findings.
>
> 9) Direct your attention to the Tie Rod End on the Drag Link that attaches
> to the Relay Lever. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and
> right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of
> the Tie Rod End. Record your findings.
>
> 10) Direct your attention to the Relay Lever pivot point where it attaches
> to the frame cross member. Have your assistant move the steering wheel
left
> and right. Watch/feel for relative motion between Relay Lever and the
cross
> member. Record your findings. Note: a worn pivot point will allow the
Relay
> Lever to move up and down on or rock front to back like a see saw.
>
> 11) Direct your attention to the ball and socket on the Relay Lever that
> attaches it to the Relay Rod. Have your assistant move the steering wheel
> left and right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the
> shaft. Record your findings.
>
> 12) Direct your attention to the ball and socket of the Tie Rod End on the
> Tie Rod that connects the Relay Rod to the Driver Side Knuckle at the
Relay
> Rod end. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and right.
> Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of the Tie
> Rod End. Record your findings.
>
> 13) Direct your attention to the ball and socket on the Tie Rod end on the
> Tie Rod that connects the Relay Rod to the Driver Side Knuckle at the
Driver
> Side Knuckle end. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and
> right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of
> the Tie Rod End. Record your findings.
>
> 14) Direct your attention to the bolt and bushing that attach the Idler
Arm
> to the frame cross member. Have your assistant move the steering wheel
left
> and right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between Idler Arm and the cross
> member. Note: a worn Idler Arm bushing/bolt will rise and fall as the
> steering wheel is turned left and right. Record your findings.
>
> 15) Direct your attention to the ball and socket on the end of the Idler
Arm
> that attaches to the Relay Rod. Have your assistant move the steering
wheel
> left and right. Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the
> shaft of the Tie Rod End.
>
> 16) Direct your attention to the ball and socket of the Tie Rod End on the
> Tie Rod that connects the Relay Rod to the Passenger Side Knuckle at the
> Relay Rod end. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and right.
> Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of the Tie
> Rod End. Record your findings.
>
> 17) Direct your attention to the ball and socket of the Tie Rod End on the
> Tie Rod that attaches the Relay Rod to the Passenger Side Knuckle at the
> Knuckle end. Have your assistant move the steering wheel left and right.
> Watch/feel for lateral motion between ball/socket and the shaft of the Tie
> Rod End. Record your findings.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder
>
> -----Original Message-----
> << snipped >>

--
Mike Miller

#01 - `73 26' X Painted D. "The Spare"
#02 - `78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath "The User"
#03 - `77 23' Birchaven Side Bath "The Keeper"
Hillsboro, OR
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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426