1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO air suspension

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-9

Inspection

1.
Check bearings for cracked separators or worn or

pitted rollers and races.

2.
Check brake drum for
out-of-
round or scoring.

3.
Check fit of bearing outer cups in hub.

Repairs

Replacement of Bearing Cups

1.
Using steel bar stock, make press-out tools shown in

Figure 11.

2.
Insert removers through hub, indexing ends into slots

in hub shoulder behind bearing cup.

3.
Using a suitable extension pipe or rod, press bearing

cups from hub.

4.
Install new bearing cup in hub using Tool J-8849 on

the outer and Tool J-8850 on the inner cup (fig. 12).

Use Driver Handle J-8092 with the installers. Make

sure that the bearing cups are not cocked and are

fully seated against shoulder in hub.

Installation

1.
Pack both inner and. outer bearings using a high

melting point wheel bearing lubricant.

2.
Place inner bearing in hub, then install a new inner

bearing lip seal assembly. Seal flange should face

bearing cup.

3.
Carefully install wheel hub over steering spindle.

4.
Install outer bearing, pressing it firmly into the hub

by hand.

5.
Install spindle washer and adjusting nut. Draw up

tight and adjust wheel bearings as outlined under

"Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment".

STEERING KNUCKLE

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette—It is rec-
ommended that vehicle be raised and supported on a

twin-post hoist so that the front coil spring remains com-

pressed, yet the wheel and steering knuckle assembly re-

main accessible. If a frame hoist is used, support lower

control arm with an adjustable jackstand to safely retain

spring in its curb height position.

Chevy n— While vehicle weight is still on front wheels,

position support between upper control arm and frame

side rail (fig. 13), then raise vehicle and position adjust-

able jackstand under lower control arm.

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle and support lower control arm as noted

above.

2.
Remove hub cap, wheel hub dust cover, cotter pin,

adjusting nut and washer. Withdraw wheel and tire,

brake drum, (or, on Corvette--brake caliper and disc

and hub assembly, See Section 5) and wheel hub and

bearing assembly from steering knuckle spindle.

3.
Remove brake shoes from backing plate (except

Corvette, See Section 5) and clamp wheel cylinder.

CAUTION: Keep brake shoes clean and dry.

4.
Remove brake anchor pin and two bolts securing

brake backing plate and steering arm to steering

knuckle.

5.
Withdraw steering arm and brake backing plate from

steering knuckle. Wire backing plate to frame (fig.

13).
Do not disconnect brake line.

NOTE: Refer to Section 9 - Steering Linkage -

Tie Rod, for further steering arm service

operations.

6. Remove upper and lower ball stud cotter pins and re-

move ball stud nuts. Free steering knuckle from

ball studs by rapping steering knuckle bosses. With-

draw steering knuckle.

Installation

1.
Place steering knuckle in position and insert upper

and lower ball studs into knuckle bosses.

2.
Install ball stud nuts and tighten nut as shown in the

specifications at the end of this section.

Fig.
12 - Installing Front Hub Inner Bearing
Fig.
13 - Backing Plate Removed - Chevy II

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

SECTION
4

REAR SUSPENSION
AND
DRIVE LINE

CONTENTS
OF
THIS SECTION

Page

Rear Suspension
4-1

Drive Line.
. 4-26

Rear Axle ......
4-26
Propeller Shaft
and
Universal Joints

Special Tools
4-37

4-43

REAR SUSPENSION

INDEX

General Description
4-1

Chevrolet
4-1

Chevelle
4-1

Chevy
n and
Camaro
. . . . . 4-2

Corvette
. . . . . . 4-3

Maintenance
and
Adjustments ...............
4-4

Riding Height Check (Chevrolet, Camaro,

Chevelle
and
Chevy
II) 4-5

Wheel Alignment (Corvette)
4-5

Wheel Bearing Adjustment (Corvette)
4-6

Component Parts Replacement (Chevrolet, Camaro,

Chevelle
and
Chevy
JJ) 4-7

Coil Spring
4-7

Chevrolet
4-7

Removal
4-7

Installation
4-7

Chevelle
4-8

Removal
4-8

4-8

Installation
.

Leaf Spring, Spring Seat Pads, Spring
Eye

Bushings
4-9

Chevy
H 4-9

Removal
4-9

Installation
4-9

Camaro
4-10

Removal
4-10

Installation
4-11

Shock Absorber
4-11

Chevrolet
and
Chevelle
. 4-11

Removal
4-11

Installation
. . 4-12

Chevy
II 4-12

Removal
4-12

Installation
4-rl2

Camaro
4-12

Removal
. 4-12

Installation
4-12

Control
Arm . . 4-12

Chevrolet Upper
4-12

Removal
. 4-12
Page

Bushing Replacement
. 4-13

Installation
4-14

Chevrolet Lower
4-14

Removal
4-14

Bushing Replacement
4-14

Installation
. 4-15

Chevelle Upper
and
Lower.
. 4-15

Removal
4-15

Bushing Replacement
4-15

Installation
4-17

Rear Suspension
Tie Rod
(Chevrolet)
. . .
......
. . . 4-17

Removal
4-17

Bushing Replacement
4-17

Installation
4-17

Component Parts Replacement (Corvette)
. . 4-17

Wheel Spindle
and
Support
4-17

Removal
4-17

Repairs
', . 4-17

Installation
4-18

Differential Carrier Support Bracket Replacement.
. 4-20

Shock Absorber
4-20

Removal
4-20

Installation
* .... 4-20

Strut
Rod and
Bracket
4-20

Removal
4-20

Repairs
4-21

Installation
4-21

Spring
4-21

Removal
4-21

Repairs
4-22

Installation
4-22

Torque Control
Arm 4-23

Removal
4-23

Repairs
. 4-23

Installation
4-24

Suspension Crossmember
4-24

Removal
4-24

Repairs—Isolation Mount
4-25

Installation
4-25

Stabilizer Shaft Replacement
4-25

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

CHEVROLET

The link type rear suspension (fig. 1) has two lower

control arms which maintain proper axle to frame re-

lationship and also take the acceleration, drive and

braking forces. A single upper control arm on light-

duty models (or two upper control arms on heavy-duty

models and all station wagons) limits axle rotation when

drive, acceleration or braking forces are applied. Lateral

movement of the axle is restricted by the axle-to-frame

tie rod. Two full coil springs and two direct, double
acting shock absorbers are provided for additional ride

control.

CHEVELLE

The rear suspension (fig. 2) is of the four-link design

utilizing axle mounted, full coil springs and direct,

double-acting shock absorbers.

Two rubber-bushed lower control arms, stretching

slightly outboard from axle-mounted brackets to frame

side member mounted brackets, maintain fore and aft

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-11

lower cushion

correct.
will be aligned if installation is

Fig.
25—Installing Spring Front Bushing (Camaro)

Unnecessary torque applied after flange is

seated will tend to distort flange and reposition

bushing in spring.

i. Disassemble bushing installation tools and re-

move from spring.

8. Pry parking brake cable out of the retainer bracket

mounted on the spring mounting plate.

9. Remove spring bracket-to-axle bracket retaining

nuts,
remove upper and lower rubber spring pads

and bracket.

10.
Support spring, then remove lower bolt from spring

rear shackle. Separate shackle and withdraw spring

from vehicle.

11.
Remove rear spring shackle upper bolt and withdraw

shackle bushings from frame.

Installation

1.
Position spring front mounting bracket to spring

front eye. Spring attaching bolt must be installed

so that head of bolt is toward center of vehicle.

2.
Position spring shackle upper bushings in frame,

position shackles to bushings and loosely install

bolt and nut.

3.
Install bushing halves in spring rear eye, place

spring to shackles and loosely install shackle lower

bolt and nut.

NOTE: When installing spring, make sure

spring is positioned so that parking brake cable

is on underside of spring.

4.
Raise front end of spring and position bracket to

underbody. Guide spring into position so that it will

index in the axle bracket and also make sure that

the tab on spring bracket is indexed in slot pro-

vided in the underbody.

5.
Loosely install spring-to-underbody bracket.

6. Position spring upper cushion between spring and

axle bracket so that spring cushion ribs align with

axle bracket locating ribs.

7.
Place lower spring cushion on spring so that .cushion

is indexed on locating dowel. Upper cushion and
8. Place lower mounting plate over locating dowel on

spring lower pad and loosely install retaining nuts.

9. If new mounting plate was installed, transfer parking

brake cable retaining bracket to new plate.

10.
Position shock absorber to spring mounting plate and

loosely install eye bolt and nut - head of bolt should

be toward front of vehicle.

11.
Position parking brake cable in retaining bracket and

securely clamp bracket to retain cable.

12.
Remove stand jacks and lower vehicle so that weight

of vehicle rests on suspension components. Torque

all affected parts to specifications.

SHOCK ABSORBER

Chevrolet and Chevelle

Removal

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support rear axle

assembly.

If equipped with superlift shock absorber, disconnect

air line from shock absorber.

Disconnect shock absorber at upper mounting bracket

by removing the two retaining bolts. Refer to Figure

26 for shock absorber mounting details. (Chevelle

components shown as typical.)

Disconnect shock absorber at lower attaching bracket

and remove shock.

NOTE: When performing any service opera-

tions that requires removal or loosening of the

lower attaching nut, it is essential that the stud

be prevented from turning. A hex is located on

the stud between the axle bracket and shock

absorber in order that a wrench may be used

for this purpose. Failure to hold the stud in

this manner will result in damage to the mer

chanical bond between the shock absorber bush-

ing and the mounting stud.
2.

3.

STATION WAGON AND PICKUP

Fig.
26—Shock Absorber Mounting—Exploded View

(Chevelle)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-12

Fig.
27—Shock Absorber Mounting—Exploded View (Chevy II)

Installation

1.
Loosely install the two shock absorber upper at-

taching bolts.

2.
Position lower attaching stud in axle bracket and

loosely install lock washer and nut.

3.
Torque upper attaching bolts to specifications.

4.
Torque lower attaching nut to specifications, ob-

serving procedure outlined in Removal procedure.

5.
If equipped with superlift shock absorbers, connect

air line to shock absorber and add air to obtain a

minimum of 10 psi.

6. Lower vehicle and check shock absorber action.

Fig.
28—Removing Shock Absorber Eye Bolt (Chevy II)
Chevy H

Removal (Refer to Fig. 27)

1.
Raise vehicle and support axle housing with adjust-

able jackstand.

2.
Loosen and remove shock absorber lower mounting

bolt from shock absorber eye (fig. 28).

3.
Remove shock absorber upper mounting bracket

bolts and withdraw shock absorber and bracket.

4.
Remove nut, washers, bushing and upper mounting

bracket from shock absorber. Inspect rubber bush-

ings for aging or damage and replace where

necessary.

Installation

1.
Assemble nut, washer, rubber bushings, bracket and

upper bushing to shock absorber. Torque nut to

specifications.

2.
Install shock absorber with upper bracket to floor

pan and torque to specifications.

3.
Insert shock absorber eye into lower bracket, install

bolt with nut to rear and torque to specifications.

4.
Lower vehicle and test shock absorber action.

Comoro

Removal (Refer to Fig. 29)

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support rear axle

assembly.

2.
Loosen and remove shock absorber lower attaching

bolt from shock absorber eye.

3.
Remove shock absorber upper mounting bracket-to-

iiinderbody retaining screws and withdraw shock ab-

sorber and bracket.

4.
Remove nut, upper retainer and grommet, gasket

and bracket, and lower grommet and retainer from

the shock absorber rod.

5.
Inspect rubber grommets and gasket for damage and

deterioration--replace as required.

Installation

1.
Assemble lower retainer and grommet, bracket and

gasket, upper grommet and retainer and nut to the

shock absorber rod. Torque nut to specifications.

2.
Position shock absorber bracket to underbody and

install bracket retaining screws. Torque retaining

screws to specifications.

3.
Insert shock absorber eye into lower bracket, install

bolt with head toward front of vehicle. Torque nut to

specifications.

4.
Lower vehicle and test shock absorber action.

CONTROL ARM

Chevrolet Upper

Removal

1.
*
Using,a suitable hoist that will support the rear axle

housing or wheels (such as a twin post or drive on

ramp type), remove the rear pivot bushing bolt at

the rear axle housing (fig. 30).

NOTE: The rear axle must be supported in

such a way as to prevent the axle housing from

rotating about the lower control arm rear pivot,

and to also relieve load on the pivot bushing.

2.
Remove the three bolts, lock washers and nuts at-

taching the upper control arm bracket to the

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-18

ig.
44—Rear Suspension Tie Rod Attaching Points (Chevrolet)

Bushing
Replacement

The following bushing removal procedure is effective

for both ends of the tie rod used on station wagons and

the left end of the tie rod used on all models except

station wagons.

1,
With tie rod bushing centered over Tool J-7877-2

and with tie rod supported horizontally, press or

drive bushing from rod, using Tools J-7877-1 and

J-7079-2 as shown in Figure 45.

2.
With tie rod centered over Tool J-7877-2 and rod

supported horizontally, press or drive bushing into

arm using Tools J-7877-3 and J-7079-2 as shown

in Figure 45. Tool J-7877-3 should bottom on tie

rod when bushing is fully installed.
fig.
45—Tie Rod Bushing Replacement (Chevrolet)

Installation

1.
Mount the tie rod to the axle bracket stud. Install

nut and special washer but do not tighten.

NOTE:
On the tie rod used on all models except

station wagons, place flanged portion of bushing

against attaching bracket.

2.
Install the bolt, lock washer and nut to the frame

bracket (fig. 44). Do not tighten.

NOTE:
Bolt may be installed from either

direction.

3.
Lower vehicle to floor (if raised) and bounce rear

end several times to settle bushings. Tighten af-

fected parts to specifications.

COMPONENT PARTS REPLACEMENT (CORVETTE)

WHEEL SPINDLE AND SUPPORT (Fig. 46)

Removal

Hemdve wheel drive spindle as outlined previously in

this section under "Wheel Bearing Adjustment".

Repairs

Out of 3/8" square steel bar stock, make bearing

removers and use as shown in Figure 47.

After removing deflector, spindle inner grease seal

and inner bearing race, bearing cups may be re-

moved while spindle support is still mounted to the

torque arm, by inserting remover tool and tapping

cup out. New bearing cups are installed using Tool

J-7817 cup installer and handle J-8092 (fig. 48).

To remove spindle support from torque arm, pro-

ceed as follows.

a. Disconnect parking brake cable from actuating

lever.

b.
Remove four nuts securing support to torque arm

and withdraw brake backing plate and position it

out of the way.

c. Disconnect shock absorber lower eye from strut

rod mounting shaft. It may be necessary to sup-

port spring outer end before disconnecting shock
absorber, as shock absorber has internal rebound

control.

d. Remove cotter pin and nut from strut rod mount-

ing shaft, then pull shaft from support and strut

rod.

e. Spindle support may then be removed and bearing

cups serviced as in Step 2 above.

4.
To remove drive spindle outer bearing and seal

proceed as follows.

a. Position Tool J-8331 between chamfered edge of

bearing seat and inner race of bearing (fig. 49).

Clamp Tool J-8331 in a vise and apply pressure

to unseat bearing.

CAUTION: Use extreme caution when position-

ing Tool J-8331 against machined surface of

spindle. Make sure all tool imperfections such

as nicks and burrs are removed from spindle

contact area before applying pressure to unseat

bearing.

b.
Position Tool J-8331 and spindle in an arbor

press and press bearing from spindle (fig. 50).

c. Remove outer seal and inspect for damage--re-

place if necessary. Outer seal must be placed on

spindle before outer bearing inner race and roller

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-21

Fig.
54—Marking Camber Cam and Bracket (Corvette)

bracket, so they may be reassembled in same loca-

tion (fig. 54).

5.
Loosen camber bolt and nut. Remove four bolts se-

curing strut rod bracket to carrier and lower

bracket.

6. Remove cam bolt nut and cam and bolt assembly.

Pull strut down out of bracket and remove bushing

caps.

7.
Inspect strut rod bushings for wear and replace

where necessary. Replace strut rod if it is bent or

damaged in any way.

Repairs

1.
With strut rod bushing centered over Tool J-7877-2

and with strut rod supported horizontally, press or

drive bushing from rod, using Tools J-7877-i and

J-7079-2 as shown in Figure 55.

2.
With strut rod end centered over Tool J-7877-2 and

rod supported horizontally, press or drive bushing

into arm using Tools J-7877-3 and J-7079-2 as

shown in Figure 55. Tool J-7877-3 should bottom

on strut rod when bushing is fully installed.

Installation

1.
Place bushing caps over inboard bushing and slide

rod into bracket. Install cam and bolt assembly and

adjust cam to line up with mark on bracket. Tighten

nut but do not torque at this point.
SPRING
LINK BOLT

SPRING
CUSHION

SPRING

CUSHION
CENTER

CLAMP

PLATE

J-7877-3

J-7877-1

STRUT ROD 11 s* ^#3 STRUT ROD

BUSHING
Fig.
56—Spring Mounting (Corvette)

2.
Raise bracket and assemble to carrier lower mount-

ing surface. Torque bolts to specifications.

3.
Raise outboard end of strut rod into spindle support

fork and insert strut rod shaft into fork so that flat

on shaft lines up with corresponding flat in spindle

fork. Install retaining nut, but do not torque.

4.
Place shock absorber lower eye and bushing over

strut shaft, install washer and nut and torque to

specifications.

5.
Lower vehicle to floor and torque camber cam nut

and strut rod shaft nut to specifications. Then in-

stall cotter pin through rod bolt.

6. Check rear wheel camber and adjust where

necessary.

SPRING (Fig. 56)

Removal

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support on frame slightly

forward of torque control arm pivot points. Remove

wheels and tires.

Fig.
55—Strut Rod Bushing Replacement
Fig.
57—Chain Installation (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-22

Fig.
58—Removing Clamp Plate (Corvette)

2.
Place floor jack under spring at link bolt, and raise

spring until nearly flat.

3.
Wrap 1/4", or 5/16" chain with grab hook around

suspension crossmember and spring and hook chain

securely with grab hook. Secure chain to spring with

C ela rnp to prevent slipping (fig. 57).

CAUTION: Use 1/4" or 5/16" chain only with

a sate grab hoo^for this operation. Do not use

rope,
wiro, cable .or other method of retaining

spring.

4.
Lower jack to free link bolt and remove link bolt

cotter pin, nut and rubber cushions.
Fig.
60—Removing Center Boit (Corvette)

5.
Support and raise spring end as in Step 2 above,

remove chain when loose.

6. Carefully lower jack until spring tension is com-

pletely released.

7.
Repeat Steps 2-6 on other side.

8. Remove four bolts and washers securing spring

center clamp plate (fig. 58).

9. Drop spring and slide out from under vehicle (fig.

59).

Repairs

•1.
Clamp spring center section in vise and remove

. center bolt (fig. 60).

2.
Release vise, remove spring and separate leaves.

3.
Replace worn or damaged liners as necessary and

replace any broken leaves.

4.
Replace main leaf spring cushion retainers by

chiseling over flared portion until retainer may be

knocked out of
leaf.
Place new retainers into posi-

tion and flare over with a ball peen hammer or other

suitable tool.

5.
Insert drift into center bolt holes in leaves to align

spring leaves (fig. 61). Install center bolt and tighten

securely.

installation

1.
Place spring on carrier cover mounting surface,

indexing center bolthead with hole in cover.

Fig.
59—Lowering Spring (Corvette)

Fig.
61—-Aligning Spring Leaves (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-23

Fig.
62—Torque Control Arm (Corvette)

2.
Place center clamp plate in position and install four

bolts and washers. Tighten bolts and torque to

specifications.

3.
Raise spring outer end with floor jack until spring

is nearly flat and secure with chain as in Step 3-

Removal.

.4.
Lower jack, align torque control arm with spring

end and insert link bolt, rubber cushions and re-

tainers. Install castellated nut on link bolt and

tighten until cotter pin hole in bolt is visible. In-

sert new cotter pin and bend ends around.

5. Raise spring end with jack under link bolt, and re-

move chain and C clamp when loose.

6. Carefully lower jack, making sure rubber cushions

remain indexed in retainers.

7. Remove jack and repeat on opposite side. Install

wheels and tires, remove frame supports and lower

vehicle to floor.

TORQUE CONTROL ARM (Fig. 62)

Removal

1.
Disconnect spring on side torque arm is to be re-

moved. Follow Steps 1-6, Spring-Removal.

NOTE:
If vehicle is so equipped, disconnect

stabilizer rod from torque arm - refer to

"Stabilizer Rod Replacement".

2.
Remove shock absorber lower eye from strut rod

shaft.

3.
Disconnect and remove strut rod shaft and swing

strut rod down.

4.
Remove four bolts securing axle drive shaft to

spindle flange and disconnect drive shaft.

NOTE:
It may be necessary to force torque

arm outboard to provide clearance to drop drive

shaft.

5. Disconnect brake line at wheel cylinder inlet or

caliper and from torque arm. Disconnect parking

brake cable.

6. Remove torque arm pivot bolt and toe-in shims and

pull torque arm out of frame. Tape shims together

and identify for correct reinstallation.
RETAINER

RETAINER

PLATE

BUSHING

CONTROL ARM

Fig.
63—Torque Control Arm Bushing Cross-Sect ion (Corvette)

NOTE:
For service operations pertaining to

the spindle support assembly, refer to service

operations under Wheel Spindle and Support

earlier in this section.

Repairs (Fig. 63)

1.
Using 11/16" drill, drill out flared end of bushing

retainer (fig. 64).

2.
Remove special retainer plate and tap retainer out

of bushing.

3.
Remove bushings by spreading them apart with a

chisel and tap out of arm (fig. 65).

NOTE:
If bushing diameters are severely

rusted in torque arm, and arm tends to spread

during removal, clamp arm in a C-clamp to

prevent spreading.

Fig.
64—Drilling Out Retainer Flare (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL