1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO coil

FRONT
SUSPENSION 3-19

spacer between upper control arm and frame side

rail (fig. 15). Raise vehicle.

2.
Remove lower control arm ball stud cotter pin and

loosen hut.

3.
Loosen ball stud and remove nut. Drop lower control

arm.

CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage

the seal during this operation? "~~~~

4.
Mark lower control arm pivot bolt and adjusting cam

for realignment. Remove nut securing pivot bolt and

cam assembly. Remove pivot bolt and cam. Remove

lower control arm.

Installation

1.
Insert lower control arm into its support bracket,

index pivot bolt and cams, pivot nut and tighten to

torque shown in Specifications.

2.
Raise lower control arm ball stud into steering

knuckle boss and install nut. Tighten nut to torque

shown in Specifications and insert new cotter pin.

3.
Lower vehicle and remove upper control arm to

frame support.

Corvette (Fig. 30)

Removal

1.
Remove the front coil spring as outlined under

"Front Spring, Removal".

2.
Remove the two front cross shaft to frame attaching

bolts and lock washers and the rear frame attaching

nut and lock washer.

3.
Remove the lower control arm assembly from the

vehicle.

THRUST
BEARING

FLAT
WASHER
REMOVAL

J-21878

J-21830-7

J-21058-8

J-21474-8
/J-21058-15

J-9519-17

J-21830-7

INSTALLATION

J-21058-15

J-2/878 FLAT
REMOVAL
BUSHING

INSTALLATION
BUSHING

CONTROL
J22175

THRUST

ARM
^ ,. / BEARING

Fig.
32 - Lower Control Arm Bushing - Large - Chevelle & Comoro

Installation

1.
Place the control arm so that the cross shaft aligns

with its attaching points.

2.
Attach the cross shaft at the front with two bolts and

lock washers inserted from below into the anchor

BUSHING
REMOVAL

J21474-6

J21474-5
TTf\ ft^\- NUT

BOLT
VHRUST
^22323-^ J21058"8

J21058-15
REARING, / ^_ ^
J21474-13

INSTALLATION

Fig.
31 - Lower Control Arm Bushing - Chevrolet
Fig.
33 - Lower Control Arm Bushing - Small -

Chevelle
& Comoro

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-20

Fig.
34 - Removing Lower Control Arm Pivot Bushing - Chevy II

nut. Attach the cross shaft at the rear by a bolt and

special washer inserted from above using a lock

washer and nut below. Tighten front and rear bolts

to specified torques.

3.
Install coil spring as outlined under "Front Coil

Spring Installation".

4.
With unit on floor, tighten cross shaft bushing bolts

to torque shown in Specifications.

LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING

Chevrolet

Removal

1.
Remove the lower control arm.
2.
Install Tools J-21058-8, J-21058-15, J-21830-7,

J-9519-17, J-21474-8, special thrust washer and a

flat washer as shown in Figure
31.
Use J-21878 as

shown to prevent collapse of the control arm.

3.
Turn down on the puller screw nut to remove the

bushing from the control arm.

Installation

1.
With Spacer J-21878 in place to prevent collapse of

the control arm, install Tools J-21058-8, J-21058-15,

J-21830-7, J-9519-17, J-21474-2 special thrust

washer and flat washer as shown in Figure 31,

2.
Turn down on the puller screw nut to install the

bushing in the control arm.

Chevelle and Camaro

Large Bushing

Removal and Installation

1.
Remove the lower control arm.

2.
To remove the large bushing, use Tools J-21058-8,

J-21058-15, J-21474-5, J-21474-8, J-22323-1 and

the thrust bearing installed as shown in the re-

moval illustration in Fig. 32.

3.
Turn down on the hex head screw of J-21058 until

the bushing is pushed out. Discard the bushing.

4.
Install the new bushing with Tools J-21058-8, J-

21058-15,
J-21474-13, J-22175, J-22323-1 and the

thrust bearing installed as shown in the installation

illustration in Fig. 32.

5.
Replace the control arm.

Small Bushing

Removal and Installation

1.
Remove and install the small bushing as described

above using Tools J-21058-8, J-21058-15, J-21474-5,

J-21474-6, J-22323-1 and the thrust bearing for

installation and Tools J-21058-8, J-21058-15, J-

21474-6, J-21474-13, J-22323-1 and tiie thrust bear-

ing for removal as shown in Fig. 33.

7/\6 x 20

CAPSCREW

TOOL

J 5888-3
TOOL

J 7052-5

TOOL

J 7052-1

TOOL

J 5888-3-

Fig.
35 - Removing Lower Control Arm Cross Shaft Bushing
Fig.
36 - Installing Lower Control Arm Cross Shaft Bushings

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 4-2

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

•MMMi
MMM—Hi—1—1——1——1MMMMiM_

[•?{aw-i
'
"'
i

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

ABSORBER ^HH^ SPRING
g^8^"
_ LOWER

feSfcto^
CONTROL
ARM

Fig.
2—Chevelle Rear Suspension Components

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-7

tioned vertically in the torque arm before ap-

plying pressure to the puller screw.

5.
Remove shim and bearing spacer from spindle

support.

6. Note size of shim used. If dial indicator reading

was more than
.008",
select a shim thinner by the

amount needed to bring end play within limits. If

dial indicator reading was less than
.001",
select a

shim thicker by the amount needed to bring end play

within limits.

NOTE: Shims are available in thicknesses from

.097"
to .148" in increments of
.003".

EXAMPLE: Bearing end play reading obtained

on dial indicator was
.011",
.003" over limit.

Bearing shim removed from spindle measures

.145".
New shim installed measures .139", .006"

smaller. End play is now decreased by .006" and

is
.005",
which is within the .001" to .008" limit.

7.
After determining shim thickness, install bearing

spacer and shim on spindle. Position spindle in

spindle support.

8. Press inner bearing race and roller assembly on

spindle as follows.

a. Position Tool J-4731 over spindle and against

bearing inner race.

b.
Position washer and spindle nut on spindle and

proceed to tighten nut until bearing is forced on

spindle sufficiently to allow spindle drive flange

to be installed (fig. 13). Remove spindle nut,

washer and Tool
J-4731.
Discard nut and use a

new one for final assembly.

9. Position drive flange over spindle, making sure

flange is aligned with spindle splines. Install washer
Fig.
13—Installing Drive Spindle to Support (Corvette)

and nut on spindle then tighten nut to specifications

and install cotter pin. If specified torque does not

permit cotter pin insertion, tighten nut to next flat.

10.
Seat spindle support outer seal in bore by using

screw driver, or other suitable tool, to press against

metal portion of seal.

11.
Install brake disc and caliper. Refer to Section 5

for details of brake disc and caliper installation.

12.
Install axle drive shaft, wheel and tire assembly,

adjust camber cam to original position and torque

all components to specifications.

COMPONENT PARTS REPLACEMENT

(Chevrolet, Chevelle, Chevy II and Camaro)

COIL SPRING

Chevrolet

Removal

To remove either or both rear coil springs proceed

as follows.

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and place jack stands under

frame. Support vehicle weight at rear, using either

a jack or post of twin-post hoist under axle.

2.
Remove both rear wheels from vehicle.

3.
With the car supported as in Step 1, so that the rear

springs are compressed by weight of vehicle; per-

form the following:

a. Disconnect both rear shock absorbers from the

anchor pin lower attachment.

b.
Loosen the upper control arm(s) rear pivot bolt

(do not remove the nut).

C. Loosen both the left and the right lower control

arm rear attachment (do not disconnect from axle

brackets).

d. Remove the rear suspension tie rod from the

stud on the axle tube.

4.
At the lower seat of both rear coil springs, slightly

loosen the nut on the bolt that retains the spring and

seat to the control arm. When the nut has been

backed off the maximum permissible, all threads of
the nut should still be engaged on the bolt.

CAUTION: Under ,no condition should the nut,

at this time, be removed from the bolt in the

seat of either spring.

5.
Slowly lower the support (jack or hoist post) that has

been in place under the rear axle, thereby allowing

the axle to swing down, carrying the springs out of

their upper seat and providing access for spring

removal.

6. Remove the lower seat attaching parts from each

spring, then remove the springs from the vehicle

(fig. 14).

Installation

1.
Position the springs in their upper seat so that end

of top coil is 3/8" ± 1/8" from end of stop. Install

the lower seat parts on the control arm, with the nut

finger tight on the spring retainer bolt.

NOTE: Omit the lock washer under the special

high carbon bolt, so that sufficient bolt thread

will be available to start the nut. The lock

washers will be installed later (in Step 4).

2.
By alternately raising the axle slightly and then

re-snugging the nut on each spring lower seat bolt,

move the axle upward until vehicle weight is fully

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 4-15

ship of parts, then install Spacer J-
7574-
3 over

the partially installed bushing and between the

sides of the control arm.

f. Continue to tighten J-
21058-
8
until bushing is

pulled flush against control arm. Do not exert

undue force against control arm after bushing is

installed. Overtightening of J-21058-
8
will cause

damage to walls of control arm.

g. Disassemble tools and inspect bushing for proper

installation.

Replace the rear bushing as follows:

a. Position Puller Screw J-21058-8 through Re-

mover Adapter J-21830-2 so that head of screw

is opposite button end of remover. Install this

assembly, threaded end of sc'rew first, through

bushing to be removed.

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

. over screw and against control arm. Position

thrust bearing against J-21830-7 and screw

J-21058-8 snugly against bearing. Install Spacer

J-
2183d-
3
between sides of control arm and over

bushing.

c. Check tool installation for proper alignment and

tighten J-21058-8 to withdraw bushing from con-

trol arm. Refer to Figure 35 for installed view

of tools.

d. Disassemble tools and position Installer Adapter

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

tion bushing in control arm making sure of cor-

rect installation. Small end of bushing will pass

through one side of arm without any interference.

e. Install J-21830-4, J-21830-7, thrust bearing and

J-21058-8 on threaded end of J-21058-15 as

shown in Figure 36. Tighten J-21058 to main-

tain proper relationship of parts; then position

Spacer J- 21830- 3 over bushing and between sides

of control arm.

f. Tighten J-21058-8 until bushing is fully seated
J-21058-8 J-21830-7 J-21830-4 J-21830-3 J-21830-2

\

J-2K

X
D58-8
J-218
30-7

IP

•he?

21830-4
J-21830-2

JfSir

J-21830-3

Fig.
35—Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing Removal

(Chevrolet)
Fig.
36—Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing Installation

(Chevrolet)

against side of control arm. Do not apply undue

pressure to J-21058 after bushing is seated--to

do so may cause permanent distortion to control

arm.

g. Disassemble tools and check bushing for proper

installation.

Installation

NOTE:
Make sure control arm is reinstalled

in proper forward attaching position. Reinstall

in same hole as noted during removal. Top

attaching hole is used for all installations except

station wagons and heavy-duty suspension (RPO

F41).
Opposite arm must be installed in cor-

responding position.

1.
Position the control arm between the mounting

brackets and loosely install the pivot bolt retaining

nuts in the proper position.

2.
Install spring and shock absorber as outlined in this

section.

3.
Lower vehicle so that weight is placed on sus-

pension components and torque all affected parts to

specifications.

Chevelle Upper and Lower

Removal

NOTE:
If both upper control arms and both

lower control arms are to be removed at the

same time, remove both coil springs as outlined

under "Coil Spring Removal".

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

bly to hand freely and position supports under both

frame side rails.

2.
Support axle assembly with an adjustable lifting de-

vice and raise rear axle assembly until tension is

relieved in control arm being removed.

3.
Disconnect control arm at forward and rearward

attaching points and remove from vehicle.

Bushing Replacement

The upper arm front bushing and carrier ear bushings

are of the same part number and are interchangeable.

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