CORVETTE BODY 1B-46
Fig.
99—Inner Forward Weatherstrip
or material from a hidden area directly on complaint
. car (such as under reveal moldings).
2.
Using an electric wood burning needle or low heat.
soldering gun, scrape off an appropriate amount of
vinyl from scrap piece of material or from hidden
area and immediately apply to scuffed or cut area on
car.
CAUTION: Be certain low heat is maintained to
prevent discoloration of cover.
3.
Carefully blend applied vinyl to fabric roof cover,
utilizing electric needle or soldering gun.
Wrinkles, Blisters and Bubbles
1.
Pierce each wrinkle, blister and bubble on fabric
roof cover with a small needle.
2.
Completely saturate a clean shop towel with water
and wring out.
3.
Apply cloth to wrinkle or blistered area.
4.
Apply a home type laundry iron over shop towel using
back and forth strokes until towel is dry. (If iron
has heat control settings, control should be set to
"wool".)
CAUTION: Do not continue to use iron after
towel has become dry as
excess,
heat may cause
permanent damage to vinyl roof cover.
5.
Remove towel and4nspect area. If slight wrinkles or
blisters are still present, perform the following
steps:
6. Using a syringe and hypodermic needle filled with
clear water, inject sufficient water into wrinkle or
bubble to dampen fabric backing.
7.
Repeat steps 2 through 4.
FOLDING TOP
CARE OF THE FOLDING TOP
To avoid water stains, mildew, or possible shrinkage
of the top material, do not keep the top folded for ex-
tended periods of time if it is damp or water soaked.
Permit top to dry out in a raised position before stowing.
Also avoid pasting advertising stickers, gummed labels
or masking" tape on the plastic back window. In addition
to being difficult to remove, the adhesive on these
stickers may also be injurious to the plastic composition
of the window.
Care of Rear Window
The large plastic rear window in the folding top will
remain in good condition for the life of the top if given
proper care. Due to the texture of the plastic window,
it is susceptible to scratches and abrasions; therefore,
when cleaning the window, follow the steps outlined below.
Fig.
100-Applying Sealer
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
CORVETTE BODY
1B-47
REAR
BOW
ASSY.
VIEW
C
Fig.
101—Folding
Top
Adjustments
MATERIAL
FOR
ATTACHMENT
FRONT HEADER PANEL
PAD
WIRE-ON
BINDING
WINDOW
EXTENS
SECTION
E-E
AY STRAP
SECTION
A-A
CEMENT SECURELY
REAR RAIL ONLY
Fig.
102—Folding
Top
Trim Installation
1.
To
remove superficial dust,
do not use a
dry cloth.
Use
a
soft cotton cloth moistened with water
and
wipe cross-wise
of
the window.
2.
To
wash
the
rear window,
use
cold or tepid (not hot)
water
and a
mild neutral soap suds. After washing,
rinse with clear water
and
wipe with
a
slightly
moistened clean soft cloth.
A
high quality plastic
window cleaner
is
available from Chevrolet parts
sources.
CHEVROLET
Oi
SERVia
CORVETTE BODY 1B-52
and pull weatherstrip and trim from rear bow.
Section A-A shows installed position of these com-
ponents. Refer also to figure 105.
installation
1.
Find and mark center of header, #3 bow, rear bow
and leading and trailing edges of top trim. Align
these marks during installation and recheck their
alignment from time to time while installation is in
progress, especially during tacking or stapling.
2.
Assemble top trim and weatherstrip to rear bow,
referring to Section A-A and Figure 105. Note that
filler strip locks this assembly together and goes
in last. Align center marks.
3.
If new pads are required, install at this time, align-
ing with marks made when old pads were removed.
Figure 106 shows pad construction; Figure 107 shows
pad installed.
4.
Install top trim-rear bow assembly on top frame
with four screws removed at disassembly.
5.
Lock down rear bow in desired "top up" position.
Pull up stay straps and staple or tack to #3 bow
(fig. 108).
6. Pull leading edge of trim iip to header and align
center marks. Smooth out fabric and clamp, tack
or staple temporarily to header.
7.
Draw window extension up to #3 bow, aligning cen-
tering marks. Turn an ample amount of fabric under
and tack to #3 bow. Apply neoprene trim cement,
GM Part #3695016 or equivalent, to area shown in
View D of Figure 102. Follow directions on package.
8. Draw roof portion of trim over #3 bow, align marks
and tack on staple.
9. Trim off excess material and install wire-on binding
as shown in Figure 109 and View D of Figure 102.
Install binding caps.
10.
Remove temporary clamps or fastenings holding trim
to header.
11.
With header locked down, pull trim assembly up tight
and mark for final installation.
12.
Apply trim cement to header and rear side rail.
13.
Release header from windshield. Tack or staple trim
to header (fig. 103).
14.
Apply trim to rear side frame, previously cemented.
15.
Install weatherstrips which were removed at dis-
assembly and install retaining screws in header
weatherstrip.
16.
Make any adjustments necessary, following instruc-
tions listed under Folding Top—Adjustments.
FRAME AND LINKAGE
Figure 110 illustrates construction features of the
folding top frame and linkage. Various cross sections in
Figure 110 show the pivoting joints and their assembly.
If an operation is being performed which requires
removal of folding top trim, follow directions in this
section. The entire frame assembly may be removed and
replaced as a unit. Follow instructions for Folding Top
Trim and Rear Window Assembly and Top Assembly—
Removal and Installation.
The pivoting joints should be lubricated with light
machine oil once a year. Apply oil sparingly so as not
to stain top trim.
WEATHERSTRIP
Side Rail Weatherstrip
Figure 111 illustrates installation of side rail weather-
strip which acts to seal window opening. The weather-
strip is held in place by studs which are part of the
weatherstrip assembly, and by neoprene base cement
which is applied between weatherstrip and side rail
surface.
When replacing weatherstrip remove all rust, old
cement and foreign material from the surfaces to be
cemented, to assure successful bonding. Use only good
quality neoprene cement suitable for weatherstrip
application.
Header Weatherstrip
Weatherstrip assembly is retained to the header panel
by a combination of studs, sheet metal screws and special
fasteners as shown in Figure 112, along with neoprene
base weatherstrip cement.
Figure 99 shows' a cross section of weatherstrip taken
through a special fastener. To replace fastener, rotate
ninety degrees to align fastener head with slot. Follow
directions for cementing in the Side Rail Weatherstrip
instructions preceding this write up.
ADDING HARDTOP (ROOF PANEL ASSEMBLY)
An available roof panel assembly (hardtop) complete
can be added to convertible model Corvettes. The hard-
ware is included with the panel assembly.
Reworking of a plastic part (one for each side of the
roof panel) can be used as a marker for drilling of two
required holes in the folding top compartment lid* Hard-
ware is attached at four locations — two on the lid and
two (one each side) at the lock pillar area as follows:
1.
Rework two plastic retainers (#6280765) (used on
Chevrolet and Corvair door inner panels for trim
retention) as shown by Figure 113.
2.
Slide the reworked plastic retainers into the bolt re-
tainer slots on each side of the hardtop rear bow
(position plastic tip inboard).
3.
Mark the hardtop reveal molding at the approximate
location of the two plastic retainers,
4.
Mark the tips of the two plastic retainers with a
china marker pencil.
5.
Close the soft top compartment lid.
6. With aid of an ^assistant, position front of hardtop
onto header and lower onto vehicle. Do not fasten
latches at windshield header.
7.
Apply hand pressure at reveal molding marks.
8. Mark roof panel attachment hole location at each
lock pillar area (fig. 114).
9. With aid of an assistant, lift roof panel straight up
off body and set roof panel aside.
10.
Mark the drill position at the four china marks with
a center punch.
11.
Place a 2" x 4" board under the top compartment lid
to prevent drill damage to folding top material. Make
certain the compartment lid is securely locked
before drilling.
12.
Drill 1/8" pilot hole at the 4 marked locations.
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
FRONT SUSPENSION 3-12
2.
Remove forward nut, retainer and rubber bushing
from front end of strut rod.
3.
Remove two nuts from strut rod to lower control arm
bolts and remove bolts and washers.
4.
Withdraw strut rod from bracket.
5. Remove remaining rubber bushing, retainer, sleeve
and nut from strut rod.
6. Inspect rubber bushings for aging and replace if
necessary. *•
Installation
1.
Screw rear nu$ on forward end of rod and position it
approximately 3/4" from end of threads. Install
rear retainer, sleeve and bushing on rod so raised
pilot diameter faces forward.
2.
Insert strut rod in bracket so pilot diameter on bush-
ing pilots in hole in bracket. Install forward bushing
on sleeve so raised pilot diameter faces rear to
enter hole in bracket, then install forward retainer
and nut on rod.
3.
Attach strut rod to top of lower control arm with two
bolts,
washers and nuts.
4.
Lower vehicle to floor, check caster and camber
angles and adjust where necessary. Torque nuts as
shown in Specifications.
FRONT SPRING
Chevrolet
Removal
1.
With an open end wrench hold the shock absorber
upper stem from turning, and then remove the upper
stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber grommet.
I IVi" rVi"i
\>. j ii
>
I
5'4
s
WOOD
BLOCK
USED
WITH
CHEVROLET
ONLY
Fig.
19
- Spring Removal Tools - Chevrolet, Chevelle and Comoro
2.
With the car supported by the frame so that the con-
trol arms hang free, remove the wheel and tire as-
sembly (replace one wheel nut to retain the brake
drum),
shock absorber, stabilizer bar to lower con-
trol arm link, strut rod to lower control arm attach-
ing, nuts, bolts and lock washers and tie rod end.
3.
Scribe the position of the inner pivot camber adjust-
ing cam bolt and then remove the nut, lock washer
and outer cam.
4.
Install a steel bar (fabricated as shown in Figure 19)
through the shock abosrber mounting hole in the
lower control arm so that the notch seats over the
bottom spring coil and the bar extends inboard and
under the inner bushing. Fit a 5" wood block (See
Figure 19) between the bar and the bushing as shown
in Figure 20.
5.
With suitable jack or hoist, lift up slightly on the end
of the bar to remove the tension from the inner pivot
cam bolt, which can then be removed.
Fig.
18-Strut Rod
Pig. 20 - Front Spring Removal - Chevrolet
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
FRONT SUSPENSION ,3-13
6. Carefully lower the inner end of the control arm.
Tension on the spring will be removed before the
spring can be removed from the vehicle.
7.
Remove the spring.
Installation
1.
With the suspension set up as in Step 2 of the disas-
sembly procedure, insert a block of wood between the
upper control arm and the spring tower to keep the
arm up out of the way.
2.
Set the spring in place on the crossmember after
checking on proper positioning necessary.
3.
Install the steel bar and wood block as shown in Fig-
ure 20 and lift the control arm up until the inner
pivot cam bolt can be installed. ,
4.
Install the outer cam and loosely install the lock
washer and nut
5.
Set the cam bolt on the mark scribed during the re-
moval procedure and hold in this position while tight-
ening the nut (See specifications at the end of this
book).
6. Replace the strut rod to lower control arm nuts,
bolts and lock washers, the stabilizer bar link, the
shock absorber, the tie rod end, and the wheel and
tire.
7.
Lower vehicle to floor and install the shock absorber
upper stem retaining nut retainer and grommet.
8. Check the camber adjustment.
Chevelle and Camaro
Removal
1.
With an open end wrench hold the shock absorber up-
per stem from turning, and then, remove the upper
stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber grommet.
2.
With the car supported by the frame so that the con-
trol arms hang free, remove the wheel and tire as-
sembly (replace one wheel nut to retain the brake
drum),
shock absorber, and stabilizer bar to lower
control arm link.
4.
5.
Fig.
21 - Front Spring Removal - Chevelle & Camaro
Place a steel bar (fabricated as shown in Figure 19)
through the shock absorber mounting hole in the
lower control arm so that the notch seats over the
bottom spring coil and the bar extends outboard be-
yond the end of the control arm and slightly toward
the front of the car.
With a suitable jack or hoist lift up slightly on the
end of the bar.
Remove the lower ball stud cotter pin and attaching
nut and remove the ball stud from the knuckle.
ALTERNATE METHOD
Fig.
22 - Removing or Installing Front Coil Spring - Corvette (Typical)
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
FRONT SUSPENSION 3-14
Fig.
23 - Installing Spring Compressor - Chevy II
CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage
the seal during this operation.
6. Lower control arm as shown in Figure 21, until
spring can be removed.
Installation
1.
Properly position the spring on the arm and with the
steel bar in place, as shown in.Figure 21, lift the
arm up until the ball stud may be installed in the
knuckle. Install the nut and cotter pin.
NOTE:
^A block of wood between the upper con-
trol' arm and the frame will simplify this
operation.
2.
Replace the stabilizer bar link, shock absorber and
wheel and tire.
3.
Lower vehicle to floor and install the shock absorber
upper stem retaining nut, retainer and grommet.
Fig.
25 - Removing Spring and Seal Assembly - Chevy 11
ChevyiI
Removal
1.
Raise vehicle and remove wheel and tire.
2.
Support lower control arm with adjustable jackstand
and raise slightly from full rebound position.
3.
Remove shock absorber as outlined under Shock
Absorber -- Removal in this section (delete Step 1).
Fig.
24 - Compressing Front Spring - Chevy
Fig.
26 - Spring Seat - Exploded View - Chevy II
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
FRONT SUSPENSION 3-15
4.
Insert Spring Compressor J-
6874-
4-
5 with Adapters
J-6874-8-9 into upp^r spring tower so that lower
MU"
bolt fits into shock absorber mounting holes in
spring seat (fig. 23). Secure the two lower studs to
the spring seat with nuts.
5.
Fit the tool upper pilot to top of spring and compress
spring by tightening upper nut (fig. 24). Compress
spring until screw is bottomed out.
6. Remove lower spring seat retaining nuts, lift spring
and seat assembly from control arm and guide it
down and out through fender skirt (fig. 25).
Spring Seat Replacement (Fig. 26)
1.
Release spring tension and disconnect spring com-
pressor from spring seat.
2.
Install new spring seat to spring compressor.
Installation
1.
If spring is to be replaced, install new spring into
tool and compress spring until screw is bottomed
out.
NOTE: Spring coil ends must be against spring
stops in upper and lower seats.
2.
Lift spring and tool assembly into place and position
so that the upper spring stop is inboard.
NOTE: Locating tab on upper spring seat may
be flattened before reinstalling spring.
3.
Install lower spring seat to control arm and torque
nuts as shown in the Specifications.
4.
Loosen spring compressor until spring is properly
seated in upper spring tower and remove.
5.
Install shock abosrber as outlined under Shock Ab-
sorber—Installation in this section.
Corvette
Removal
1.
With car on suitable hoist or jack, (support vehicle
by frame so control arms may swing free) remove
wheel and tire assembly, stabilizer bar and shock
absorber. Loosen the lower ball joint to steering
knuckle nut, and the' two lower control arm cross
shaft bushing bolts.
2.
Place Tool J-6874-1 across top of sixth coil (ap-
prox.),
then loosely secure Tool J-6874-2 to the up-
per shoe, with attaching capscrews and lock washers.
The upper shoe "V" notch and lower shoe raised land
should contact spring.
3.
Insert Tool J-6874 up through center of spring and
attach to upper and lower shoe assembly.
4.
Position spacers under shock absorber mounting hole
and against bottom of lower control arm. Install
special bearing washer and Tool J-6874-5. Locate
bearing against spacer and large washer against
bearing. Feed screw up through large washer bear-
ing and spacer and thread into Tool J-6874 and
tighten snugly (fig. 22).
5.
Center shoe assembly on spring and tighten screw
until a very slight compression is placed on spring
(fig. '22). Then firmly tighten down the two cap-
screws securing the upper and lower shoes to lock
these shoes to spring.
6. Turn head of screw until spring is compressed just
enough to clear the spring tower, then remove the
lower ball joint to steering knuckle nut (fig. 22).
NOTE: It may be necessary to assist the
spring out of the spring tower with a pry bar or
a similar tool.
7.
Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering
knuckle and lower the control arm with the com-
pressed spring. Immediately release compression
on spring by backing off long screw. Release spring
and tool and withdraw spring.
CAUTION: The spring force under compres-
sion is very large. Exercise every safety pre-
caution when performing this operation to see
that individuals and materials subject to damage
are removed from the path of the spring when
the control arm is being lowered. Also, the
compressed spring
be relaxed immedi-
ately after lowering the control arm to reduce
the time of exposure to the large compressive
force.
Installation
1.
Position spring with closely coiled end up. Place
Tool J-6874-1 across the top of the sixth coil (ap-
prox.) then loosely secure Tool J-6874-2 to the
upper shoe with attaching capscrews and lock wash-
ers.
The upper shoe MV" notch and lower shoe
raised land should contact spring.
2.
Insert Tool J-6874 up through center of spring and
attach to upper and lower shoe assembly with bolt
and nut.
3.
Set spring in its seat on the lower control arm.
4.
Position spacers centrally under shock absorber
mounting hole and against bottom of lower control
arm. Install bearing, large washer and Tool
J-6874-5.
Locate bearing against spacer and large
washer against bearing. Feed the screw up through
large washer, bearing and spacer and thread into
yoke rod. Tighten snugly, but do not start to draw
down yet
5.
Center the shoe assembly on the spring and tighten
the lag screw until a very slight compression is
placed on spring, then firmly tighten down the two
capscrews securing the upper and lower shoes. This
will lock the shoes to the coil spring.
6. Turn head of screw until spring is compressed just
enough to clear the spring tower.
NOTE: It may be necessary to assist the
spring into the spring tower with a pry bar or
similar tool.
7.
Immediately install the lower ball joint into steering
knuckle and secure in place with attaching nut.
8. Release compression on spring and at the same time
use a drift to guide the coil spring into its proper
seat. End of coils must be 3/8" from coil stops in
spring seat.
9. Tighten the lower ball joint to steering knuckle nut
and lock with cotter key.
10.
Install shock absorber and stabilizer bar.
11.
Install wheel, tire and drum assembly.
12.
Remove car from hoist or jack stands.
13.
Tighten the two lower control cross shaft bushing
bolts to 45-55 lbs. ft. torque.
NOTE: If a suitable adjustable jack-stand is
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL