This factory service and repair manual for the 1998 Chevrolet W3500 Tiltmaster serves the W3S042 chassis in both of the forms it was sold: with a turbocharged 3.9L inline-four diesel displacing 236 cubic inches, or with a naturally aspirated 5.7L overhead-valve V8 of 350 cubic inches on gasoline. Whichever is fitted, the surrounding truck is the same, so the transmission, axle, brake, steering and cab wiring sections apply across the range while the engine chapters split into diesel and gasoline procedures with their own specifications.
Engines covered
- 3.9L inline-four (236 cu in) — turbocharged, diesel
- 5.7L V8 (350 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Trims covered
- W3S042
Known issues on the 1998 W3500 Tiltmaster. One recall is on the federal record for this truck. The bolt clamping the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear was left insufficiently tight on assembly, which shows up first as noise, play at the wheel and a rim that no longer sits centered, and can end in the steering connection failing outright. A single owner complaint, filed against the wheels, is the only other entry. Steering shaft fastener torque values and the inspection procedures that go with them are covered here.
