Monday, February 3, 2014
How to Replace the Taillight Bulb on a 1997 Chevy Silverado
Replacing the taillight bulbs in the taillight assemblies of your Chevy Silverado pickup will only take a few minutes and requires only simple hand tools to complete the job. The bulbs are housed within a plastic taillight assembly and the assembly requires removal from the truck to access the bulb. The 3057 bulbs used in the taillights of the Silverado are readily available from any parts store or most major department stores.
Instructions
- 1
Open the tailgate of your Silverado and locate the two taillight retaining screws on the inside edge of each taillight assembly. These are Phillips-head screws on the inner edge of the end of the cargo-bed wall, where the tailgate rests when closed.
2Remove the two retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver, setting the screws aside for reuse later. Grasp the taillight assembly and pull it straight out of the body until you can access the wiring harness connection on the back of the assembly.
3Depress the locking tab on the connector and pull it off the taillight assembly. Grasp the socket on the back of the taillight, turn it counterclockwise -turn, and remove it from the assembly. Pull the failed bulb out of the socket and discard it.
4Push a new bulb into the socket. Insert the bulb and socket into the rear of the taillight assembly and turn the assembly clockwise to lock it in place. Connect the wiring harness connector to the taillight assembly, pushing it in until it snaps in place.
5Position the taillight assembly on the rear of the Silverado, making sure it seats completely; then install the two retaining screws. Tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver and close the tailgate.
Monday, December 23, 2013
1998 Chevrolet Silverado Brake Box Installation
The Chevrolet C/K series is a family of full-size pickup trucks that General Motors has manufactured since 1960. The Silverado was the top trim level for the 1998 C/K trucks, and General Motors upgraded it to a separate model beginning with the 1999 model-year. The 1998 Silverado comes standard with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), which allows the vehicle to stop more effectively under emergency conditions. The Electro-Hydraulic Control Unit (EHCU) controls the amount of braking force to apply to each wheel.
Instructions
- 1
Locate the EHCU in the engine compartment on the left side of the engine. It is the black box with four brake lines running to it.
2Detach the connectors for the electrical wiring from the EHCU. Disconnect the fittings for the brake lines with a socket wrench and detach the brake lines from the EHCU.
3Disconnect the mounting bolts for the EHCU bracket with a socket wrench and remove the bracket from the vehicle. Remove the mounting bolts from the EHCU and detach the EHCU from its bracket.
4Install the new EHCU onto its bracket and tighten the mounting bolts to 5 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Connect the EHCU bracket to the vehicle and tighten the mounting bolts for the bracket to 33 foot-pounds.
5Connect the brake lines to their original positions on the EHCU and tighten the fittings to 16 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Attach the electrical connectors for the EHCU, ensuring the connections are secure.
6Connect a TECH-1 scanning tool to the vehicles data link connector. Bleed the EHCU valve with three J-39177 tools and correct any ABS errors reported by the scanning tool. A professional mechanic would normally perform this step.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Removing the Chevy Bowtie From a 2011 Silverado
The iconic Chevrolet Bowtie symbol is prominently displayed in two locations on the 2011 Silverado; in the center of the front grille and the center of the tailgate. The emblem in the center of the grille is cast into the grille itself and cannot be removed or separated from the grille. The emblem in the center of the tailgate is affixed with double-sided body tape and can easily be removed with a heat gun and plastic scraper. While the emblem is a popular symbol with many owners, some prefer to remove or de-badge their trucks for a cleaner, more simplistic look.
Instructions
- 1
Wash any dirt and debris from the tailgate with a clean rag and bucket of soapy water. Rinse the soap from the tailgate with clean water and dry the tailgate with a lint-free cloth.
2Connect your heat gun to an extension cord so your movement isnt restricted. Adjust the temperature dial to a medium setting.
3Warm the emblem and the area around the emblem with the heat gun for one to two minutes.
4Insert a clean plastic putty knife in between the emblem and the tail gate. Pry the emblem away from the tailgate while still applying heat with the heat gun. Remove the emblem from the tailgate.
5Wait four to five minutes for the tailgate to cool to room temperature. Remove any remaining adhesive with paint-safe adhesive remover and a clean, lint-free towel. Dry the area completely with a lint-free towel.
