1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO ECU

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 4-13

Fig.
29—Shock Absorber Mounting—Exploded View (Comoro)

crossmember.

3.
Separate the control arm bracket from the cross-

member. Remove the arm from under vehicle.

4.
Remove the bolt, nut and washer attaching the upper

control arm to the bracket. Separate the control

arm from the bracket.

Bushing Replacement

1.
Clamp control arm securely in a vise and remove

bracket from forward end of arm.

2.
Place Puller Screw J-21058-15 through Puller

Adapter J-21830-2. Position puller screw through

small end of bushing then install Receiver J-21830-4

and Bridge J-21830-7 over opposite end of bushing.

Center receiver and bridge over flanged end of

bushing then position thrust bearing and Nut

J-21058-8 on puller screw. Refer to Figure 31 for

installation of removal tools.

3.
Turn Nut J-21058-8 to withdraw bushing, making

sure Remover Adapter J-21830-2 is centered and

will clear hole in control arm.

4.
Disassemble puller tools and position Installer

Adapter J-21830-2 on flanged end of new bushing.

Install Spacer J-21830-6 over small end of bushing

so that it makes contact with J-21830-2.
Fig.
30—Rear Suspension Upper Control Arm

Attaching Points (Chevrolet)

Position Puller Screw J-21058-15 through J-21830-2

and bushing so that head of screw rests against

J-21830-2. Position this assembly in control arm

as shown in Figure 32.

Install receiver, bridge, thrust bearing and nut to

complete installation as shown in Figure 32.

Turn Nut J-21058-8 to pull bushing into control

arm. Check position of bushing when installing to

make sure bushing is properly aligned. When bush-

ing is properly installed, Spacer J-21830-6 will stop

against control arm.

Disassemble bushing installation tools and reinstall

attaching bracket to control arm. Install bracket

pivot bolt so that nut will be on outboard side of arm.

Fig.
31—Upper Control Arm Bushing Removal (Chevrolet)

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 4-18

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 4-22

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

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-24

4

i*
5

Fig.
65—Removing Bushings (Corvette)

4.
Lightly oil new bushing diameters (not rubber por-

tion) and start bushings squarely in arm.

5. Install Tool J-7055-1 as shown in Figure 66 and

press bushings into place.

6. When bushings are fully installed, place special

plate over flared portion of new bushing retainer

and insert retainer into bushing.

7. Out of 5/8" thick steel plate 1-1/2" wide make flar-

ing tool support to the dimensions shown in Figure

67 and drill clearance holes as shown for 2
—
1/2"

bolts.

8. Place fabricated back-up plate on flared end of bush-

ing retainer and assembly Tool J-8111-23 to plate

with 2-1/2" bolts 5" long. Make sure threaded hole

in J-8111-23 is centered over unflared end of bushing

retainer and that chambered retainer plate is cen-

tered over retainer tube.

9. Lightly oil pointed end of J-8880-5 screw and thread

into J-
8111-23
until pointed "end contacts bushing

retainer. Continue threading J-8111-23 until retainer

is flared (fig. 68).

Installation

1.
Place torque arm in frame opening.

2.
Place toe-in shims in original position on both sides

of torque arm, install pivot bolt and tighten but do

not torque at this point.
Fig.
67—Flaring Tool Back-Up Plate (Corvette)

3.
Raise axle drive shaft into position and install to

drive flange. Torque bolts to specifications.

4.
Raise strut rod into position and insert strut rod

shaft so that flat lines up with flat in spindle sup-

port fork. Install nut and torque to specifications.

5. Install shock absorber lower eye and tighten nut

to specifications.

6. Connect spring end as outlined under Spring-

Bistallation, Steps 3-6'.

NOTE:
If vehicle is so equipped, connect sta-

bilizer shaft to torque arm - refer to "Sta-

bilizer Shaft Replacement".

7. Install brake disc and caliper, wheel and tire and

lower vehicle. Tighten torque arm pivot bolt. Bleed

brakes as outlined in Section 5-Brakes.

SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

Removal

1.
Disconnect and remove spring as outlined under

Spring-Removal.

2.
Remove differential carrier assembly as outlined

under Differential Carrier-Removal in this section.

3.
Support crossmember, remove bolts securing

crossmember isolation mounts to frame and lower

crossmember (fig. 69).

Fig.
66—Installing Bushings (Corvette)
Fig.
68—Flaring Retainer (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-25

Fig.
69—Removing Crossmember (Corvette)

4.
Remove bolts securing carrier cover to cross-

member.

5.
Inspect rubber isolation mounts for aging and re-

place where necessary.

Repairs—Isolation Mount

1.
Bend back isolation mount tabs to allow mount re-

moval (fig. 70).

2.
Place crossmember on a suitable support and press

mount out of arm using a piece of suitable size pipe

or tubing on outer shell or inner insert.

3.
Place new mount into position on crossmember,

compress outer sleeve and press mount into place

until it is fully and squarely seated.

4.
After installation, bend over locking tabs.

Installation

1.
Install carrier cover to crossmember and torque

bolts to specifications.

2.
Raise crossmember into position and install mount-

ing bolts. Torque bolts to specifications.

3.
Install differential carrier assembly as outlined

under Differential Carrier
-
Installation in this

section.

4.
Install wheels and tires, remove frame supports and

lower vehicle.

STABILIZER SHAFT REPLACEMENT

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support at frame side rail

with stand jacks.

2.
Disconnect stabilizer shaft at both torque arms (fig.

71).
Remove stabilizer shaft brackets from the

frame and withdraw assembly from vehicle.
ISOLATION MOUNT

CROSSMEMBER

BEND OVER TABS AFTER INSTALLATION

Fig.
70—Crossmember Mount Cross-Section (Corvette)

3.
Inspect bushings for signs of deterioration, and in-

spect shaft for bends, breaks or other defects - do

not attempt to straighten shaft - replace parts as

deemed necessary.

4.
Position bushings on shaft and loosely install shaft

to torque arms and at frame brackets.

5.
Align shaft to assume proper placement when bolts

are torqued, and torque attaching bolts to

specifications.

Fig.
71—Stabilizer Shaft Installation (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL