1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO seats

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-2

SHOCK ABSORBER

UPPER ATTACHMENT

COIL SPRING

\

R.H. UPPER

CONTROL ARM

LH.
UPPER

CONTROL ARM

(HEAVY DUTY AND

STATION WAGON)
TIE ROD

ATTACHMENT

SHOCK ABSORBER

LOWER ATTACHMENT

LOWER

CONTROL ARM

Fig.
1—Chevrolet Rear Suspension Components

relationship of the axle assembly to the vehicle proper.

These lower control arm axle brackets also mount the

axle rebound bumpers and provide for lower attachment

of the shock absorber. Upper attachment of the shock

absorber is a platform mount to the rear of the coil

spring frame bracket. The coil springs are pigtailed

at both ends; the upper end is isolated from the frame

seat by a rubber insulator, while the lower end seats

on the axle mounted spring bracket which has a vertical

flange to retain the spring.

Sideways movement of the axle assembly is controlled

by two angularly mounted, rubber-bushed upper control

arms.
Projecting ears, cast as part of the differential
carrier, provide for rear attachment and frame cross-

member mounted brackets retain them at the forward

end.

CHEVY 11 AND CAMARO

The.Chevy n and Camaro rear suspension (fig. 3 and

fig.
4) consists of two uniformly stressed rear springs

and two shock absorbers mounted to the spring lower

seats.
The
.
springs are rubber mounted at both axle

and frame attaching points, thus insuring uniform spring

loading, minimizing transmittal of road vibration to

passenger compartment, and providing a pivot point to

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MMM—Hi—1—1——1——1MMMMiM_

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i

\ SHOCK^^BBB^^B(^^CO1L

ABSORBER ^HH^ SPRING
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_ LOWER

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CONTROL
ARM

Fig.
2—Chevelle Rear Suspension Components

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION
AND
DRIVE LINE
4-3

AXLE ASSEMBLY
LEAF SPRING

SPRING REAR SHACKLE

SHOCK ABSORBER

Fig.
3—Chevy
II
Rear Suspension Components

absorb axle "wind-up.
The
springs
are
positioned
to
the*

axle spring seats
by
locating pins butt welded
to
the

spring
leaf.
CORVETTE

The Corvette independent three-link type rear
sus-

pension consists
of a
fixed differential carrier which
is

SPRING REAR SHACKLE

LEAF SPRING

SHOCK ABSORBER

SPRING FRONT MOUNT

Fig.
4—Comoro Rear Suspension Components

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-8

Fig.
14—Coil Spring Installation (Chevrolet)

supported on the jack. With the spring now com-

pressed to approximately curb height, positively

position the springs in the lower seats by torquing

the nut on the lower seat bolt (fig. 15).

Re-connect shock absorbers, torque rear attach-

ment of upper and lower control arms, and re-

connect the axle tie rod at proper torque.

With the rear of vehicle still supported by jack under

axle;
remove the nut from the lower seat bolt of one

Fig.
15—Installing Coil Spring to Lower Control Arm (Chevrolet)
Fig.
16—Coil Spring Installation (Chevelle)

rear spring, slide proper lock washer on the bolt

and reinstall the nut to proper torque. Similarly

install a lock washer at the lower seat of the other

rear spring.

5.
Install rear wheels and lower vehicle to floor.

Chevelle

Removal

The following procedure may be utilized to replace

either or both rear coil springs.

1.
Raise vehicle to a height that will allow axle assem-

bly to hang freely, and position supports under both

frame side rails.

2.
Support axle assembly with an adjustable lifting

device, and disconnect shock absorber at axle

bracket. Shock absorber on side opposite need not

be disconnected if only one spring is being removed.

Refer to Shock Absorber Removal procedures out-

lined in this section.

3.
Lower axle assembly until suspension reaches end

of travel; then pry lower% pigtail over vertical re-

tainer on axle bracket and remove spring and insula-

tor from vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position rubber insulator on end of spring, making

sure that end of pigtail is butted against stop in

insulator. Install insulator and spring in upper

spring seat so that insulator is properly indexed

against stop (fig. 16).

2.
Pry lower pigtail portion of spring over vertical

flange of the axle bracket spring seat.

3.
Raise axle to allow shock absorber installation.

Position shock absorber in axle bracket. Torque nut

as outlined in Shock Absorber Installation

procedures.

4.
Lower vehicle and check rear riding height.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-16

J-21474-5 J-21474-1

J-21058-8 /__* A r-j-21474-2

Fig.
37-Control Arm Bushing Removal (Chevelle)

However, the lower control arm bushings are of a dif-

ferent rubber material and are not interchangeable with

the upper bushings. Replacement procedures are in-

dicated below.

1,
Replace the control arm installed bushings as

follows:

a. Position control arm in a vise, or other suitable

holding device, so that clamping action is against

closed section of control arm.

b.
Place Puller Screw J-21058-15 through Puller

Adapter J-21474-2. Position puller screw through

small end of bushing then install Receiver

J-21474-5. Thrust Bearing and Nut J-21058-8

(in that order) onto puller screw. Install Spacer

J-21474-1 between sides of control arm and over

bushing so that spacer follows contour of bushing.

Refer to Figure 37 for installation of removal

tools.

c. Turn Nut J-21058-8 to withdraw bushing, making

sure Remover Adapter J-21474-2 is centered

and will clear hole in control arm.

d. Disassemble puller tools and position Installer

Adapter J-21474-2 on flanged end of new bushing.

Position Puller Screw J-21058-15 through in-

staller adapter and bushing; then place assembly

through hole in control arm.

NOTE:
Bushings are installed in one direction

only - flanged end of bushing seats against rolled

cutout side of control arm.

e. Install Receiver J-21474-5, Thrust Bearing, and

J-21058-15 J-21474-1
Fig.
39—Carrier Mounted Suspension Bushing

Removal (Light-Duty) (Chevelle)

Nut J-21058-8 (in that order) onto puller screw.

Install Spacer J-21474-1 between sides of control

arm and, over bushing so that spacer follows

contour of bushing. Refer to Figure 38 for in-

stalled view of tools.

f. Turn Iftit J-21058-8 to pull bushing into control

arm. Check position of bushing when installing

to make sure bushing is properly aligned. Seat

flanged end of bushing firmly against control

arm, but do not apply unnecessary force after

bushing is seated - to do so will distort control

arm.

2.
Replace the carrier mounted, upper control arm rear

bushing using the following procedure.

Light-Duty Carrier

a. Position Puller Adapter J-21474-2 on Puller

Screw J-21058-15 then place puller screw through

small end of bushing.

b.
Install Receiver J-21830-4, Bridge J-21830-7,

Thrust Bearing, and Nut J-21058-8 (in that order)

onto puller screw. Refer to Figure 39 for in-

stalled view of tools.

Fig.
38—Control Arm Bushing Installation (Chevelle)
Fag.
40—Carrier Mounted Suspension Bushing

Installation (Light-Duty) (Chevelle)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-17

Fig.
41—Carrier Mounted Suspension Bushing Removal

(Heavy-Duty) (Chevelle)

c. Turn Nut J-21058-8 to remove bushing from

carrier ear, making sure Remover Adapter

J-21474-2 is centered and will clear hole in

carrier ear.

d. Disassemble puller tools and position Installer

Adapter J-
21474-
2 on flanged end of bushing.

Install Puller Screw J-21058-15 through receiver

so that screw head is seated against receiver.

Position this assembly through inboard side of

carrier ear.

e. Position bushing and Installer Adapter J-21474-2

onto puller.screw with small end of bushing to-

ward carrier ear. Refer to Figure 40 for in-

stalled view of tools.

f. Install Thrust Bearing and Nut J-21058-8 onto

puller screw. Turn nut to pull bushing into car-

rier ear. Check position of bushing when install-

ing to make sure bushing is properly aligned.
b.

c.

d.
Fig.
43—Upper and Lower Control Arm Assembly

(Chevelle)

Heavy-Duty
Carrier

a. Install a 1/2 x 20 nut on Puller Screw J-21058-15,

install thrust bearing against nut. Position puller

screw through Bridge and Receiver J-21830-4

and 7.

Position puller screw through flanged end of

bushing then install Remover Adapter J-21991

on threaded end of puller screw.

Align tools on carrier ear and center remover

adapter on bushing. Hold head of puller screw

and turn 1/2 x 20 nut to withdraw bushing from

carrier ear. Refer to Figure 41 for installed

view of removal tools.

Position Installer J-21474-2 on flanged end of

new bushing and install Driver Handle J-7079-2

to opposite end of installer.

e. Position bushing in carrier ear and drive bush-

ing until it seats against carrier. Bushing is

properly seated when shoulder on bushing con-

tacts carrier. Refer to Figure 42 for installation.

NOTE:
Do not attempt to seat flange of bush-

ing against ear of carrier. Bushing is properly

installed when shoulder on bushing seats against

chamfer on carrier ear.

Installation

1.
Place control arm into position between the forward

and rearward mounting brackets and install retaining

bolts.
Refer to Figure 43 for installation view of

control arms.

Support vehicle at axle and remove supports from

beneath the frame side rails.

Install lock washer and nut to retaining bolts and
2.

3.

torque to specifications.

Fig.
42—Carrier Mounted Suspension Bushing Installation

(Heavy-Duty) (Chevelle)
REAR SUSPENSION TIE ROD-CHEVROLET

Removal

1.
Remove the nut, washer and bolt from the leftside

and the nut and washer from the stud on the right

side that secure the tie rod to the brackets (fig. 44).

Withdraw the rod from under the vehicle. An ex-

ternal shell service bushing is available for left side

on all models and both right and left on station

wagons.

NOTE:
The above operations need not be per-

formed on a hoist. However, to provide ample

working space, the use of a hoist or proper jack

stand is recommended.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-30

Fig.
76—Differential Gear Failure

Hypoid Gears

Hypoid gear tooth scoring (fig. 74) is caused generally

by improper break-in, incorrect lube, insufficient gear

backlash or improper 'ring/pinion gear alignment. The

scoring will progressively lead to complete erosion of

the gear tooth, or gear tooth pitting and eventual fracture

with possible attendant damage to bearings, if the initial
scoring condition is not diagnosed in time and corrected.

Hypoid gear scoring is easily recognized by its char-

acteristic loud whine in either drive, coast or under both

conditions. Another cause of hypoid tooth fracture (fig.

75) is extended overloading of the gear set which will

produce fatigue fracture, or shock loading which will

result in sudden failure.

Differential Gears

Common causes of differential gear failure are shock

loading, extended overloading leading to fatigue failure,

and overheating of gear thrust surfaces resulting from

excessive wheel spin and consequent lubrication break-

down. Overheating will lead to seizing of thrust surfaces

or tooth failure (fig. 76).

Bearings

• Failure of axle tapered roller bearings is due pri-

marily to excessive wear caused by long service or

foreign materials in the oil. The second most common

cause of bearing failure is too tight or too loose pre-

load adjustment leading to spalling and eventual failure.

This failure may also lead to hypoid gear scoring due to

the resultant misalignment of the hypoid gear set.

COMPONENT PARTS REPLACEMENT

(Chevrolet, Cheveile, Chevy II and Camaro)

AXLE ASSEMBLY

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle to a height that will permit axle as-

sembly to hang freely and position supports under

both frame side rails.

2.
Disconnect wheel cylinder inlet lines. Disconnect and

remove brake hose and brake line retaining bracket

by removing retaining bolt from carrier cover.

3.
Loosen parking brake equalizer adjusting nut and

disconnect both rear cables at frame bracket and at

control arms. See Section 5 for detail of parking

brake cable removal.

4.
Remove two trunnion bearing "U" bolts from the

rear yoke and separate rear universal joint. Wire

propeller shaft to frame side rail and tape trunnion

bearing cups.

5. Support arid secure axle assembly with an adjustable

lifting device. On Chevrolet and Cheveile models,

loosen upper and lower control arm attaching bolts

at axle housing. (On Chevrolet models, disconnect

tie rod at axle bracket.)

6. Disconnect shock absorbers at axle brackets. Refer

to Shock Absorber Removal procedures outlined in

this section.

7. On Chevrolet and Cheveile models, lower axle as-

sembly until suspension reaches end of travel, then

disconnect spring retainers and withdraw springs

from vehicle.

8. On Chevy II and Camaro models, remove four nuts

securing lower spring seat to axle housing, then

remove spring front eye bolts or spring attaching

bracket and swing spring to rear so that it does not

interfere with axle.

9. On Chevrolet and Cheveile models, disconnect upper

and lower control arm attaching bolts at axle housing*
10.
Lower axle assembly and remove from under vehicle.

Installation

1.
Place axle assembly under vehicle and raise into

position.

2.
On Chevrolet and Cheveile models, install, but do not

tighten, upper and lower control arm attaching bolts

at axle housing.

3.
On Chevrolet models, position coil springs in upper

seats so that end of spring is indexed in seat.

4.
On Chevrolet models, install lower end of spring on

axle bracket or control arm and secure by installing

retainer and bolt. Install lock washer and retainer

nut.

5. On Cheveile pry lower pigtail of spring over vertical

flange of the axle bracket spring seat.

6. On Chevy II and Camaro models, install spring seat

pads and swing springs up into spring seats on axle

housing, making sure upper seat pads are aligned in

axle housing bracket.

7. Install spring front eye bolt and tighten, then install

spring seat lower mounting bracket and retaining

nuts.

8. Raise axle assembly to allow shock absorber and tie

rod installation. Position shock absorber in axle

bracket. Torque nut as outlined in Shock Absorber

Installation procedures.

9. Install brake hose and brake line retaining bracket

to carrier and connect wheel cylinder inlet lines.

Connect parking brake cable to frame bracket and

at control arm. Adjust parking brake and bleed

brakes as outlined in Section 5.

10.
Reassemble rear universal joint to companion flange.

11.
Support vehicle at axle and remove supports from

beneath the frame side rails.

12.
Remove supports and lower vehicle to floor. Torque

all affected parts to specifications.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-32

HP?

Fig.
81
—Whed Bearing and/or Oil Seal Installation

4.
Install brake components on flange and connect

hydraulic line to wheel cylinder inlet. See Section 5

for brake assembly procedure.

5. Install axle shaft, brake drum and wheel and tire

assembly.

6. Bleed and. adjust brakes as outlined in Section 5.

Installation

1.
Slide axle shaft into place.

CAUTION: Exercise care that splines on end

of shaft do not damage oil seal and that they

engage with splines of differential side gear/

2.
Install axle shaft "C" lock on button end of axle-

shaft and push shaft outward so that shaft lock seats

in counterbore of differential side gear.

3.
Position differential pinion shaft through case and

pinions, aligning hole in shaft with lock screw hole.

Install lock screw and torque to specifications.

4.
Using a new gasket, install carrier cover and torque

bolts to specifications.

CAUTION: Make sure both gasket surfaces on

carrier and cover are clean before installing

new gasket. Torque carrier cover bolts in a

crosswise pattern to ensure uniform draw on

cover gasket.

5. Fill axle with lubricant to a level even with bottom

of filler hole. See Section 0 for proper lubricant.

6. Install brake drum and wheel and tire assembly.

7. Lower vehicle and test operation of axle.

PINION FLANGE, DUST DEFLECTOR

AND/OR OIL SEAL

Replacement

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and place stand jacks under

frame side rails so that axle hangs freely to allow

sufficient working room.

2.
Check wheels for freedom of rotation.

3.
Separate rear universal joint, tape trunnion bearings

to joint, position propeller shaft to one side and tie

it to frame side rail.

4.
Using Tool J-5853 with Adapter J-5810 and a suitable

socket on the pinion flange nut, rotate the pinion

through several complete revolutions and record the

torque required to keep the pinion turning (fig. 82).

If flange is to be reused, mark pinion and flange for

reassembly in the same relative position.

5. Install Tool J-8614-1 on pinion flange and remove

pinion flange nut and washer (fig. 83). (Position
Fig. 82—Measuring Drive Pinion Bearing Preload

J-8614-1 on flange so that the four notches are

toward flange.) Discard nut and use a new one

upon reassembly.

6. Thread pilot end of Tool J-8614-3 into small O.D.

end of J-8614-2. Then with J-8614-1 installed as

in Step 4, insert J-8614-2 into J-8614-1 and turn

it 45 degrees to locked position. Remove flange by

turning J-8614-3 while holding J-8614-1 (fig. 84).

7. Pry old seal out of bore, using a screw driver or a

hammer and chisel.

8. Inspect pinion flange for smooth oil seal surface,

worn drive splines, damaged ears, and for smooth-

ness of bearing contact surface. Replace if

necessary.

9. If deflector requires replacement, remove by tapping

from flange, clean up stake points; install new de-

flector, and stake deflector at three new equally

spaced positions.

NOTE:
Staking operation must be performed

in such a manner that the seal operating surface

is not damaged.

1.0. Pack the cavity between the seal lips of the pinion

flange oil seal with a lithium-base extreme pressure

lubricant, position seal in bore, then using Tools

J-21468 and J-9458, for light-duty axle and Tool

Fig. 83-—Drive Pinion Nut Removal

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-33

Fig.
84—Drive Pinion Flange Removal

J-21057 for heavy-duty axle, press seal into bore

until it seats against shoulder (figs. 85 and 86).

CAUTION: Pinion oil seal flange must not bot-

tom against "carrier. Press seal into carrier

bore until it seats against internal shoulder -

do not apply unnecessary pressure after seal is

seated. To do so will destroy rubber seat ancl

distort seal. ;

11.
Position and align pinion flange on pinion shaft using

Tools J-9458 and
J-8614-1.
Tool J-9458-1 is

threaded onto pinion shaft and nut tightened against

J-9458-2 to pull flange on shaft (fig. 87). Remove
Fig.
86—Drive Pinion Flange Oil Seal

Installation (Heavy-Duty)

J-9458 after flange is seated.

NOTE: The position of the pinion and flange

was previously marked so that reinstallation

may be made with flange and pinion in same

relative position.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to hammer flange

onto pinion shaft. To do so will damage ring

gear and pinion.

12.

13.

14.

15.
Pack the cavity between end of pinion splines and

pinion flange with a non-hardening sealer (such as

Permatex Type A) prior to installing washer and

nut on pinion.

Install washer and a new self-locking nut on pinion

shaft. Tighten nut to remove end play and continue

alternately tightening in small increments and check-

ing preload with torque wrench until it is the same

as that recorded in Step 4.

Reassemble the rear universal joint, and torque

"V" bolt nuts to specifications.

Lower vehicle to floor and road test for leaks.

Fig.
85—Drive Pinion Flange Oil Seal

Installation (Light-Duty)
Fig.
87—Drive Pinion Flange Installation

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL