1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO suspension

SECTION
3

FRONT SUSPENSION

INDEX

Page

General Description
. . . . 3-1

Maintenance and Adjustments
3-3

Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment
3-3

Front End Alignment
3-5 .

Alignment Preliminary Steps ............
3-5

Caster
and
Camber Adjustments
. . 3-5

Chevelle, Caxnaro
and
Corvette
3-5

Chevrolet and Chevy
II 3-6

Steering Axis Inclination
3-6

Toe-in Adjustment
3-6

Cornering Wheel Relationship
3-6

Riding Heigit
and
Coil Spring Sag
3-7

Repair Procedures
3-8

Front Brake Drum (Chevrolet, Camaro, Chevelle,

Chevy E)
. . 3-8

Removal
3-8

Installation
3-8

Front Wheel Hub
3-8

Replacement
. . . . . 3-8

Replacement
of
Hub Wheel Bolts
3-8

Front Wheel Bearings
. . 3-8

Removal
3-8

Inspection
3-9

Repairs
. . 3-9

Replacement
of
Bearing Cups
3-9

Installation
3-9

Steering Knuckle
. . . 3-9

Removal
3-9

Installation
3-9

Shock Absorber
3-10

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro
and

Corvette
3-10

Removal
, . 3-10

Installation
3-10

Chevy
It 3-11

Removal
3-11

Installation
3-11

Stabilizer
Bar 3-11

Removal
3-11

Installation
3-11

Strut Rod
3-11

Chevrolet and Chevy
II 3-11

Removal
3-11

Installation
3-12

Front Coil Springs
3-12

Chevrolet
3-12

Removal
3-12

Installation
3-13

Chevelle
and
Camaro
3-13

Removal
3-13

Installation
3-14

Chevy H
3-14

Removal
3-14

Spring Seat Disassembly and Assembly
3-15

Installation
3-15

Corvette
3-15

Lower Control Arm Spherical Joint
.' 3-16

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and

Corvette
3-16

Inspection
. 3-16

Chevrolet and Corvette
3-16

Removal
3-16

Installation
3-16
Page

Chevelle
and
Camaro
3-17

Removal
3-17

Installation
. . . . 3-17

Chevy
II 3-17

Inspection
. 3-17

Removal
3-17

Installation
3-17

Lube Fittings
3-18

Lower Control Arm
. . . . 3-18

Chevrolet
. 3-18

Removal
3-18

Installation
3-18

Chevelle and Camaro
3-18

Removal
3-18

Installation
3-18

Chevy H
3-18

Removal
3-18

Installation
3-19

Corvette
3-19

Removal
3-19

mstallation
3-19

Lower Control Arm Bushings
3-20

Chevrolet
3-20

Removal
3-20

Installation
3-20

Chevelle and Camaro
. 3-20

Removal
3-20

Installation
3-20

Chevy H
3-21

Removal
* 3-21

InstaEation
3-21

Cross Shaft and/or Bushings
. 3-21

Corvette
3-21

Removal
3-21

Installation
3-21

Upper Control Arm Spherical Joint
3-21

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette
..... 3-21

Inspection.
3-21

Replacement
3-21

Chevy
II 3-21

Inspection
3-21

Replacement
3-21

Lube Fittings
3-22

Upper Control Arm
3-22

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro
and
Corvette
3-22

Removal
3-22

Installation
3-22

Chevy H
3-22

Removal
3-22

Installation
3-23

Upper Control Arm Cross Shaft

and/or Bushings
3-23

Chevrolet, Camaro and Chevelle
3-23

Removal
. 3-23

Installation
3-23

Chevy H
3-24

Removal
3-24

Installation
. . . 3-25

Corvette
3-25

Removal
3-25

Installation
3-25

Special Tools
3-26

Specifications
...'..'
At rear of Book

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The 1967 Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro, Chevy n and

Corvette front suspension systems are basically similar,

being of the
S.L.A.
(short-long arm) type with independent

coil springs. In the Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and

Corvette the springs ride on the lower control arms; in
the Chevy II the springs ride on the upper control arms.

Spherical joints connect the upper and lower arms to the

steering knuckle. Tapered roller wheel bearings are

used.

Camber angle is adjusted, on the Chevrolet and Chevy n

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANIM

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-2

Fig.
1 - Front Suspension - Chevrolet

Fig.
2 - Front Suspension - Chevelle & Camaro

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-3

by means of a lower control arm inner pivot cam; on the

Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette by means of upper control

arm inner support shaft shims.

Caster angle is adjusted, on the Chevrolet and Chevy n

by means of a strut rod which runs from the lower con-

trol arm forward to a frame brace; on the Chevelle,
Camaro and Corvette by means of upper control arm

inner support shaft shims.

A stabilizer bar is used on all Chevelle and Corvette

models. Chevrolet Impalas, station wagons and V-8

engine equipped models are fitted with the stabilizer bar.

UPPER CONTROL ARM

STABILIZER

SPRING
LOWER CONTROL ARM

STEERING KNUCKLE

Fig.
3 - Front Suspension - Corvette

MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS

Maintenance intervals recommended for lubrication of

front suspension components have been fully covered in

Section 0 of this manual. Only actual adjustment proce-

dures will be covered here.

NOTE:
Unless otherwise indicated all proce-

dures will apply to all five vehicles covered in

this manual.

FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT

Proper front wheel bearing adjustment has a definite

bearing on the safe operation of a vehicle. Improperly

adjusted front wheel bearings will result in a lack of

steering stability causing wheel wander, shimmy and ex-

cessive tire wear. Very accurate adjustment is possible

because the spindles are drilled both vertically and hori-

zontally and the adjusting nuts are slotted in all six sides.

NOTE:
Wheel bearings should not
be.
repacked

or adjusted as a part of "New Car Conditioning".
1.
With wheel raised, remove hub cap and dust cap and

then remove the cotter pin from the end of the

spindle.

2.
While rotating wheel, tighten spindle nut to 12 lbs. ft

torque.

3.
Back off adjusting nut one flat and insert cotter pin.

If slot and pin hole do not line up, back off the adjust-

ing nut an additional 1/2 flat or less as required to

insert cotter pin.

4.
Spin the wheel to check that it rolls freely and then

lock the cotter pin by spreading the end and bending

it around.

NOTE:
Bearings should have zero preload and

.001"
to .008" end movement when properly ad-

justed on Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Cor-

vette; .000" to .004" on Chevy H.

5.
Install dust cap, hub cap or wheel disc and lower

wheel.

6. Perform the same operation on each front wheel.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-4

SHOCK ABSORBER

5PRING

UPPER

CONTROL

ARM

LOWER

CONTROL

ARM

STRUT ROD

STEERING KNUCKLE

Fig.
4 - Front Suspension - Chevy

STEERING AXIS
VERTICAL

CASTER ANGLE

CASTER
WHEEL PLANE

VERTICAL PLANE

-CAMBER ANGLE

STEERING AXIS

INCLINATION

CAMBER

Fig.
5 - Caster and Camber

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-5

FRONT END ALIGNMENT

Front end alignment, that is alignment of the inter-

related steering components of the front suspension sys-

tem, must be correctly maintained to assure ease and

stability of steering and satisfactory tire life.

Alignment Preliminary Steps

Several different types of machines are available for

checking all the factors of front end alignment. The in-

structions furnished with each particular machine should

be followed. In all cases, however, checks should be

made with the vehicle level and at curb weight.

Since steering complaints are not always the result of

improper alignment a check should be made to see if any

of the following conditions exist. Any such conditions

should be corrected before proceeding further.

1.
Steering gear loose or improperly adjusted.

2.
Steering gear housing loose at frame.

3.
Excessive wear or play in spherical joints or steer-

ing shaft coupling.

4.
Tie rod or steering connections loose.

5.
Improper front spring heights.

6. Unbalanced or underinflated tires.

7.
Improperly adjusted wheel bearings.

8. Shock absorbers not operating properly.

Wheel alignment should always be made with the vehi-

cle rolled forward taking out any slack in the same man-

ner as when the vehicle is traveling forward.

Caster and Camber Adjustment

NOTE: Before adjusting caster and camber

angles, the front bumper should be raised and

quickly released to allow car to return to its

normal height.

Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette

Caster and camber adjustments are made by means of

shims inserted between the upper control arm inner sup-

port shaft and the support bracket attached to the frame

(fig. 6). Shims may be added, subtracted or transferred

to change the readings as follows:
Fig.
6 - Caster and Camber Adjustment - Chevelle

Typical of Corvette and Camaro

Caster - change shims at either the front or rear of

the shaft.

The addition of shims at the front bolt or removal

of shims at the rear bolt will decrease positive

caster. One shim (1/3 2") will change caster (ap-

prox.) 1/4°.

Camber - change shims at both the front and rear of

the shaft.

Adding an equal number of shims at both front and

rear of the support shaft will decrease positive cam-

ber. One shim (1/32") at each location will move

camber (approx.) 1/5° (Chevelle and Camaro); 1/6°

(Corvette).

TIGHTEN TO LOCK

ADJUSTMENT

Fig.
7 - Caster and Camber Adjustment Points - Chevrolet

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-6

Fig.
8 - Caster and Camber Adjustments - Chevy

To adjust for caster and camber, loosen the upper sup-

port shaft to crossmember nuts, add or subtract shims as

required and retighten nuts.

NOTE:
Caster and camber can be adjusted in

one operation.

Caster and camber specifications will be found in the

last section of this book.

Chevrolet and Chevy II

The caster angle is adjusted by turning the two niits at

the front of the lower control arm strut rod (figs. 7 and

8).
Shortening this rod will increase caster. Lengthen-

ing will decrease caster.

Camber angle is adjusted by loosening the lower con-

trol arm pivot bolt and rotating the cam located on this

pivot. This eccentric cam action will move lower control

arm in or out, thereby varying camber.

Steering Axis Inclination Adjustment

"Camber" is the outward tilt of the wheel and "steering

axis inclination" is the inward tilt of the knuckle. Cam-

ber cannot be changed without changing steering axis

inclination. Correct specifications willbe found at the

end of this section. If, with the camber correctly ad-

justed, the steering axis inclination does not fall within

the specified limits the knuckle is bent and should be

replaced.

If a new knuckle is installed, caster, camber and toe-in

must be readjusted.

Toe-In Adjustment

Toe-in, the inward pointing of both front wheels, is

checked with the wheels in the straight ahead position. It

is the difference of the distance measured between the

extreme front and the distance measured between the ex-

treme rear of both front wheels. Correct toe-in specifi-

cations will be found at the end of this section.
NOTE:
Toe-in must be adjusted after caster

and camber adjustment.

A. If the equipment being used measures the toe-in of

each wheel individually:

1.
Set the steering gear on the high point, mark 12

o'clock position on the steering shaft and position

the steering wheel for straight ahead driving.

2.
Loosen the clamp bolt at each end of each tie rod

and adjust to the total toe-in as given in the speci-

fications at the end of this book.

B.
If a tram gauge is being used, proceed as follows:

1.
Set the front wheels in the straight ahead position.

2.
Loosen the clamp bolts on one tie rod and adjust

for the proper toe-in as given in the specifications

at the end of this book.

3.
Loosen the clamp bolts on the other tie rod. Turn

both rods the same amount and in the same direc-

tion to place the steering gear on its high point and

position the steering wheel in its straight ahead

position.

C.
After the adjustment has been made:

1.
a. Chevrolet—Position inner tie rod clamp bosses

forward to 90° down to avoid stabilizer link bolt

interference.

b.
Chevelle—Position the tie rod clamp bosses

down to 45?° forward to avoid interference.

c. Chevy II--Position the outer tie rod clamp

bosses forward and not more than 45° up or

down from horizontal to avoid interference.

Inner clamps forward and vertical.

d. Corvette--Position inner tie rod clamps with

bolt horizontal and down. Position outer clamps

with bolt vertical and to the rear.

e. Camaro—Position inner tie rod clamps with

open end of clamp and slot in line. Position

relative to ground unimportant. Position outer

clamps with bolt top and 30° either side of ver-

tical. Position relative to slot unimportant.

RIDING HEIGHT AND COIL SPRING SAG

The following check will quickly determine whether or

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-7

CAMARO
CHEVROLET
AND

CORVETTE

LOWER

CONTROL
ARM

CHEVELLE
CHEVY
II

Fig.
9- Checking Riding Height

not the vehicle riding height is correct.

1.
Place the vehicle on a smooth, level floor and bounce

and rock the front end several times. Raise vehicle,

then allow it to settle to a normal height.

2.
Measure the following two distances (fig. 9):

a. From the floor to the center of the inner pivot of

the lower control arm. (On the Chevrolet and

Camaro, this measurement must be made at the

rear end of the pivot.)

b.
Chevrolet--Measure the distance from the floor

to the lower face of the lower steering knuckle

boss for the spherical joint on the same side of

the vehicle.

Chevelle—From the floor to the outer pivot

which is located 1/8" (.12) inboard from the ball

stud boss at the lower surface of the arm.

Chevy II--Measure the distance from the floor

to the lower ball joint seat.
Corvette—Measure the distance from the floor

to the lower face of the lower steering knuckle

boss for the spherical joint on the same side of

the vehicle.

Camaro—From the floor to the lower inboard

edge of ball seat.

3.
The difference between these two measurements

should be as outlined in the Specifications given at

the end of the book with the vehicle at curb weight

(full tank of gas, spare tire and jack in trunk, no

passengers).

4.
Measure the opposite side of the vehicle in the same

manner. The measurements for both sides should

differ no more than 1/2".

5. To correct the height, springs must be replaced.

These springs do not have flat ends and shims should

not be used.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-8

REPAIR PROCEDURES

Unless otherwise indicated all repair procedures will

apply to all five vehicles covered in this manual.

CAUTION: During any operations which in-

clude breaking the ball stud loose from the

knuckle boss extreme care must be used to as-

sure that the ball stud seal is not damaged or

cut. A recommended way to loosen the stud is to

place a flat bar stock against the knuckle boss

and strike the bar rather than the knuckle.

FRONT BRAKE DRUM-CHEVROLET, CAMARO,

CHEVELLE, CHEVY It

Removal

1.
Remove hub caps, partially loosen wheel nuts and

raise vehicle from floor. Remove wheel nuts and

wheel.

2.
Remove brake drum. In some cases it may be nec-

essary to back off brake adjustment because of

scored drum or unevenly worn brake linings.

3.
Check brake drum for concentricity, damaged pilot

diameter or scored braking surface. Lightly sand

braking surface and wipe clean.

Installation

1.
Install drum over hub bolts making sure alignment

dowel on drum web indexes with hole in wheel hub.

This will assure proper drum alignment with hub

bolts and hub pilot diameter.

2.
Install wheel and partially tighten wheel nuts.

3.
Re-adjust brake shoes to original setting. It may be

necessary to re-adjust brake shoes on both front

and/or rear wheels to assure balanced brake adjust-

ment. See Section 5 for brake adjustment procedure.

4.
Lower vehicle to floor, tighten hub wheel nuts and in-

stall hub cap.

FRONT WHEEL HUB

Replacement

1.
Remove hub caps, break loose the wheel stud nuts
VM" DIA. PIPE OR ARBOR

>l

INNER CUP

OUTER CUP
JL
RADIUS

e^

Fig.
10 - Pressing Front Hub Bolts (Typical)
Fig.
11 - Front Wheel Bearing Cop Removers

and raise vehicle. Remove wheel nuts, wheel and

tire and brake drum or (on Corvette) brake caliper

and brake disc.

NOTE:
On the Corvette, the hub and brake disc

are serviced as a complete assembly.

2.
Pry out hub grease cap, cotter pin, spindle nut and

washer,
and
remove hub. Do not drop wheel bearings.

3.
Reverse this procedure to install.

Replacement of Wheel Hub Bolts

It may be necessary to replace damaged wheel hub

bolts.
In this case, service the hub in the following

manner.

1.
Remove the hub bolts with a press or hammer.

These bolts are not peened into the hub. Do not

damage wheel mounting surface on hub flange.

2.
Install new serrated bolt into hole in
hub.
Tap lightly

with a hammer to start bolt serrations in hole, mak-

ing sure that bolt is square with hub flange.

3.
Press bolt into flange until head is fully seated

against hub flange (fig. 10).

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS

Removal '

1.
Remove wheel hub as described above.

NOTE: Discard cotter pin. Install new cotter

pin when assembling.

2.
Remove outer roller bearing assembly from hub with

fingers. The inner bearing assembly will remain in

the hub and may be removed after prying out the

inner bearing lip seal assembly. Discard seal.

3.
Wash all parts thoroughly in cleaning solvent and

blow dry.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL