suspension GMC SIERRA 1996 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: GMC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: SIERRA, Model: GMC SIERRA 1996Pages: 404, PDF Size: 21.57 MB
Page 182 of 404

Dr g at I
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody, chassis or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned
and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust system
for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
Your vehicle
will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
Night driving
is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason
is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
4-28
ProCarManuals.com
Page 196 of 404

Loading Your Vehicle
n ", ,. , I --- SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION I U
The Certificatiomire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver's door or in the Incomplete Vehicle Document
in the cab.
The label shows the size of your original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to obtain the gross weight
capacity
of your vehicle. This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).
The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certificationmire label also tells
you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross
Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads on your
front and rear axles,
you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help
you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it
out.
I
In the case of a sudden stop or collision, things
carried in the bed
of your truck could shift
forward and come into the passenger area,
injuring you and others.
If you put things in the
bed
of your truck, you should make sure they are
properly secured.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
4-42
ProCarManuals.com
Page 332 of 404

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
T The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that
the failure to perform this maintenance item will
not
nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability
prior
to the completion of the vehicle‘s useful life.
We, however, urge that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at the indicated
intervals and the maintenance be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, kingpin bushings,
steering linkage, transmission shift linkage, transfer
case shift linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear
driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines
and brake pedal springs. Ball joints and kingpin
bushings should not be lubricated unless their
temperature is 10°F
(- 12°C) or higher, or they
could be damaged.
:f: :1:
0
0
0
e
Drive axle service:
Locking Differential
-- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine
oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km).
Standard Differential -- Check fluid level and add
fluid
as needed at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
I5,OOO miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty or off-road
use.
3500 HD Models with applications requiring extreme
overload/trailer towing conditions and high-speed
(above
45 mph or 70 kmh) conditions for extended
periods
of time must have the drive axle fluid changed
evey
30,000 miles (50 000 km). See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants’’
in this section.
7-6
ProCarManuals.com
Page 355 of 404

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
j- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that
the failure
to perform this maintenance item will not
nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability
prior
to the completion of the vehicle’s useful life.
We, however, urge that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at
the indicated
intervals and the maintenance be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, kingpin bushings,
steering linkage, transmission shift linkage, transfer
case shift linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear
driveline center splines, front axle propshaft splines
and brake pedal springs. Ball joints and kingpin
bushings should not be lubricated unless their
temperature is
10°F (- 12°C) or higher, or they
could be damaged.
‘k‘k Drive axle service:
a
e
e
a
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine
oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed.
If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every 15,000 miles
(25 000.km).
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
fluid
as needed at every engine oil change. If driving
in dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and
refill every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty or off-road use.
3500 HD Models with applications requiring extreme
overloadtrailer towing conditions and high-speed
(above
45 mph or 70 kmh) conditions for extended
periods
of time must have the drive axle fluid changed
every
30,000 miles (50 000 km). See ”Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants”
in this section.
I
ProCarManuals.com
Page 372 of 404

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 and Suspension 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.
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 damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 395 of 404

Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission ............. 2- 13
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission .......... 2- 17. 2- 18
GloveBox .................................... 2-46
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-42
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-42
Guide en FranCais
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-42
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-37
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5- 1
Headlamps .................................... 2-39
Bulb Replacement
....................... 6.38. 6.39
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-34
OnReminder
................................ 2-39
Wiring
..................................... 6-68
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-34
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-36
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-36
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-54
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-6
Release
...................................... 6-7
Horn
......................................... 2-32
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................... 6-23
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-32 Ignition
Positions
............................... 2-9
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-42
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-49
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-43
Inspections
.................................... 7-46
Brakesystem
................................ 7-47
Drive Axle
.................................. 7-47
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-46
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-46
Steering
.................................... 7-46
Suspension
.................................. 7-46
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-46
Transfer Case (Four-wheel Drive)
............... 7-47
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-54
Cleaning
.................................... 6-61
Cluster
..................................... 2-56
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-69
Intensity Control
............................. 2-42
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-42
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-22
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key
Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-43
Key Release Button ............................. 2- IO
Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-5
Keys .......................................... 2-1
9'
ProCarManuals.com