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1998 GMC Truck Suburban 2WD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Suburban 2WD.

Body SUV

The 1998 GMC Suburban 2WD is a full‑size SUV built on the longstanding Suburban platform and equipped with a 5.5‑quart oil capacity that accepts 5W‑30 API‑grade lubricant. While its overall complaint tally of 119 owner reports is modest, the most frequent issue centers on service‑brake hydraulics and the model carries three manufacturer recalls. Situated between the peak of reported problems in 1994 (480 complaints) and the nadir in 2004 (a single complaint) within the 1990‑2004 span, the 1998 year represents a middle point in the model’s reliability trajectory, indicating a generally steady but not flawless service record.

Model year1999 1998 1995 1987

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25160561. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeLT245-75R16EOEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25160561
Engine air filter	25173426 alt 25168081
Fuel filter	10154635 alt 25171792
Spark plug	12681665
Front wiper blades	93441742
Serpentine belt	12556338 alt 19244952
Thermostat	12559336 alt 12632948

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.5 qt
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	8.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	74 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	110 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	31.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	26.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	40.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 31.0; Upper: 17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	26.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	70.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	165 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	14 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	78 DIESEL
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 DIESEL cca
Standard BCI Group Number	78

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	66.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	60-66
RPM	50-63 @ Idle rpm
Engine Compression	100
Engine Compression	380

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	15 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Drum Runout Limit	0.006 in
Drum Nominal Diameter	10 in / 11.15 in / 13 in
Drum Maximum Machining	10.05 in / 11.21 in / 13.06 in
Drum Discard at-or-over	10.09 / 11.24 / 13.09
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in / 0.0005 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	long bolts	75 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	20 ft. lbs.	20 ft. lbs
2	55 ft. lbs.	55 ft. lbs
3	55 ft. lbs.	55 ft. lbs
4	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	bolts 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16	150 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs. Step 2: long bolts: 75 degrees medium bolts: 65 degrees short bolts: 55

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs. Step 2: 55 ft. lbs. Step 3: 55 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90

20 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs. Step 2: bolts 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16: turn 150 degrees bolts 4, 5, 10, 11: turn 90

37 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., step 2: 30

22 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

40.0

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

30.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

At 3,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 3,000 mi	King Pin (lubricate)
Every 5,000 mi	Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Air Intake System (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Underbody Splash Shield (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Clutch Cross Shaft (lubricate) · Clutch Release Lever Pivot Points (lubricate) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Crankcase Depression Regulator Valve (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1998 GMC Truck Suburban 2WD lead in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 25 of 119 reports (21%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the service brakes, hydraulic, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 14 of the reports describe a crash and 3 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

119

Owner complaints

14 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97’98’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 119 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic25

Visibility15

Power Train14

Tires12

Electrical System11

Steering8

Seats3

Service Brakes, Air3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…

03V093000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:ExteriorReported 07/03/2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 52 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
17-NA-073	2023-02-21	Equipment	This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIP4723F	2022-01-14	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D	2020-01-31	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
19NA273	2019-12-02	Electrical System	This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E	2019-11-22	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Suburban 2WD. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 78 battery Vehicles taking 5.5 qt Engine oil filter 25160561 Engine air filter 25173426 Fuel filter 10154635 Spark plug 12681665

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Suburban 2WD take?

5.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Suburban 2WD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

1998 GMC Truck Suburban 2WD

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Battery & A/C

Service checks

Brakes

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked