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 3-9
Inspection
1.
Check bearings for cracked separators or worn or
pitted rollers and races.
2.
Check brake drum for
out-of-
round or scoring.
3.
Check fit of bearing outer cups in hub.
Repairs
Replacement of Bearing Cups
1.
Using steel bar stock, make press-out tools shown in
Figure 11.
2.
Insert removers through hub, indexing ends into slots
in hub shoulder behind bearing cup.
3.
Using a suitable extension pipe or rod, press bearing
cups from hub.
4.
Install new bearing cup in hub using Tool J-8849 on
the outer and Tool J-8850 on the inner cup (fig. 12).
Use Driver Handle J-8092 with the installers. Make
sure that the bearing cups are not cocked and are
fully seated against shoulder in hub.
Installation
1.
Pack both inner and. outer bearings using a high
melting point wheel bearing lubricant.
2.
Place inner bearing in hub, then install a new inner
bearing lip seal assembly. Seal flange should face
bearing cup.
3.
Carefully install wheel hub over steering spindle.
4.
Install outer bearing, pressing it firmly into the hub
by hand.
5.
Install spindle washer and adjusting nut. Draw up
tight and adjust wheel bearings as outlined under
"Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment".
STEERING KNUCKLE
Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette—It is rec-
ommended that vehicle be raised and supported on a
twin-post hoist so that the front coil spring remains com-
pressed, yet the wheel and steering knuckle assembly re-
main accessible. If a frame hoist is used, support lower
control arm with an adjustable jackstand to safely retain
spring in its curb height position.
Chevy n— While vehicle weight is still on front wheels,
position support between upper control arm and frame
side rail (fig. 13), then raise vehicle and position adjust-
able jackstand under lower control arm.
Removal
1.
Raise vehicle and support lower control arm as noted
above.
2.
Remove hub cap, wheel hub dust cover, cotter pin,
adjusting nut and washer. Withdraw wheel and tire,
brake drum, (or, on Corvette--brake caliper and disc
and hub assembly, See Section 5) and wheel hub and
bearing assembly from steering knuckle spindle.
3.
Remove brake shoes from backing plate (except
Corvette, See Section 5) and clamp wheel cylinder.
CAUTION: Keep brake shoes clean and dry.
4.
Remove brake anchor pin and two bolts securing
brake backing plate and steering arm to steering
knuckle.
5.
Withdraw steering arm and brake backing plate from
steering knuckle. Wire backing plate to frame (fig.
13).
Do not disconnect brake line.
NOTE: Refer to Section 9 - Steering Linkage -
Tie Rod, for further steering arm service
operations.
6. Remove upper and lower ball stud cotter pins and re-
move ball stud nuts. Free steering knuckle from
ball studs by rapping steering knuckle bosses. With-
draw steering knuckle.
Installation
1.
Place steering knuckle in position and insert upper
and lower ball studs into knuckle bosses.
2.
Install ball stud nuts and tighten nut as shown in the
specifications at the end of this section.
Fig.
12 - Installing Front Hub Inner Bearing
Fig.
13 - Backing Plate Removed - Chevy II
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
FRONT SUSPENSION 3-10
CHEVROLET, CHEVELLE, CAMARO AND CORVETTE (TYPICAL)
CHEVY H
Fig.
14- Shock Absorber
NOTE:
If necessary, tighten one more notch to
insert cotter pins.
3.
Place brake backing plate and wheel cylinder in posi*-
tion on steering knuckle and insert anchor pin.
4.
Place steering arm in position on back of steering
knuckle and insert two bolts through backing plate,
steering knuckle and steering arm. Install locknuts
and tighten. (See Specifications.)
5. Torque brake anchor pin (See Specifications).
6. Install brake shoes, except Corvette. (See Section 5.)
7. Install wheel hub, brake drum (or, on Corvette--
brake caliper and disc and hub assembly), wheel and
tire assembly over spindle.
8. Insert outer wheel bearing race and roller assembly,
washer and nut. Adjust front wheel bearing as shown
under Maintenance and Adjustments in this section.
Install new cotter pin, dust cap and hub cap.
9. Lower vehicle, recheck and readjust wheel alignment
where necessary.
SHOCK ABSORBER
Chevrolet, Chevelle, Comoro and Corvette (Fig. 14)
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.
2.
Remove the two bolts retaining the lower shock ab-
sorber pivot to the lower control arm and pull the
shock absorber assembly out from the bottom.
Installation
1.
With the retainer and rubber grommet in place over
the upper stem, install the shock abosrber (fully ex-
tended) up through the lower control arm and spring
so that the upper stem passes through the mounting
hole in the upper support arm.
2.
Install the rubber grommet, retainer' and attaching
nut over the shock absorber upper stem.
3.
With an open end wrench, hold the upper stem
from turning and tighten the retaining nut. (See
Specifications.)
4.
Install the two bolts attaching the shock abosrber
lower pivot to the lower control arm and tighten.
(See Specifications.)
Fig.
15 - Upper Control Arm Support Installed - 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
FRONT SUSPENSION 3-16
available the following procedure may also be
used (fig. 22-Alternate Method).
1.
Support car on suitable hoist or jack (so control
arms may swing free) and remove the wheel and
tire assembly, shock absorber, and stabilizer link
at control arm.
2.
Place suitable jack stand under the lower control
arm cross shaft.
3.
Follow Steps 2-5 as outlined on previous page.
4.
Turn head of tool screw to partially compress
spring.
5. Remove the three control arm cross shaft attaching
bolts,
washers and nuts.
6. Carefully lower jack stand and if necessary increase
compression on spring and when coil spring is out of
its upper seat, relax tension on spring (fig. 22).
7. By using a pry bar to assist, if necessary, remove
the coil spring from the lower control arm.
8. Installation is the reverse of the above procedure.
Carefully follow instructions for installing spring
tool.
LOWER CONTROL ARM SPHERICAL JOINT
Chevrolet, Chevelle, Comoro and Corvette
Inspection
The lower control arm spherical joint should be re-
placed whenever wear is indicated in the upper joint
inspection.
NOTE: The lower control arm spherical joint
is a loose fit in the assembly when not connected
to the steering knuckle.
Only if inspection of each upper joint indicates them
both to be within limits, inspect each lower joint for ex-
cessive wear as follows:
1.
After reconnecting upper joints to steering knuckles,
support vehicle weight on wheels or wheel hubs.
2.
With outside micrometer or caliper, measure dis-
tance from top of lubrication fitting to bottom of ball
stud, and record the dimensions for each side.
3.
Then support vehicle weight at outer end of each
lower control arm, so that wheels or wheel hubs are
free,
then repeat Step 2.
4.
If the difference in dimensions on either side is
greater than 1/16" (.0625"), the joint is excessively
worn and both lower joints should be replaced.
If inspection of lower spherical joints does not indicate
excessive wear, inspect further as follows:
5.
On Chevrolet Only--Examine lubrication hole in each
joint assembly after cleaning out hole. Look for evi-
dence of the liner partially or fully blocking lubrica-
tion opening. Such evidence indicates that liner is
disintegrating and that both lower spherical joints
should be replaced.
Another indication of lower spherical joint excessive
wear is indicated when difficulty is experienced when
lubricating the joint. If the liner has worn to the point
where the lubrication grooves in the liner have worn
away, then abnormal pressure is required to force lubri-
cant through the joint. This is another reason to recom-
mend replacement of both lower joints.
If the above inspections do not indicate any reason for
spherical joint replacements, test the torque tightness of
Fig. 27 - Removing Lower Ball Joint - Chevelle
&
Camaro
the lower ball stud in the knuckle on each side as follows:
1.
Wire-brush off nut and cotter pin attaching spherical
joint ball stud to steering knuckle and examine for
evidence of looseness of stud in knuckle.
2.
If no evidence of looseness, remove cotter pin and
with prick punch or equivalent, mark nut stud and
knuckle to identify relative location.
3.
Tighten nut as installed and observe torque reading.
If less than 45 lbs. ft., stud may have been loose in
steering knuckle and replacement of both lower
spherical joints may be recommended.
4.
Check to see if torque of 60-94 lbs. ft. can be ob-
tained without bottoming stud or ball joint against
knuckle. If bottoming occurs, replace ball joint or
steering knuckle.
Chevrolet and Corvette
Removal
1.
Support lower control arm at outer end on floor jack,
with hoist or jack pad clear of lower ball stud nut.
2.
Remove upper and lower ball stud nuts, free ball
studs from steering knuckle and wire knuckle and
brake drum assembly up to fender skirt to preclude
interference while performing next step.
3.
Being careful not to enlarge the holes in control arm,
cut off rivets.
Installation
1.
Install new joint against underside of control arm and
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
FRONT SUSPENSION 3-17
4.
Replace the wheel and tire.
5.
Lower the vehicle.
Chevy II
inspection
Fig.
28 - Installing Lower Ball Joint - Chevelle & Camaro
retain in place with special bolts and nuts supplied
with new joint.
CAUTION: Use only alloy bolts supplied for
this operation. The special thick headed bolt
must be installed in the forward side of the
control arm.
2.
Tighten bolts and nut on ball stud to Specification
shown at the end of this book.
3.
Lubricate the joint.
Chevelle and Camaro
Removal
1.
Support lower control arm at outer end of floor jack,
with hoist or jack pad clear of lower ball stud and
remove the wheel.
2.
Remove the upper and lower ball stud nuts, free the
ball studs from the steering knuckle and wire the
knuckle and brake drum assembly out of the way to
preclude interference while completing the lower ball
stud removal procedure.
3.
Use a screw driver to pry off the seal and retainer.
Install Tools J-9519-10, J-9519-17 and J-9519-7 as
shown in Figure 27 and turn down on the hex head
screw until the ball stud is pushed out.
Installation
1.
Start the replacement ball stud into the control arm
and install Tools J-9519-10, J^9519-16 and J-9519-17
as shown in Figure 28.
2.
Turn down on the hex head screw until the ball stud
is seated properly in the control arm.
3.
Install the stud into the steering knuckle, secure in
place with the attacking nut and install the cotter pin.
1.
With upper control arm support in position as in
Figure 15, disconnect the lower ball stud from steer-
ing knuckle.
2.
Assemble nut to lower ball stud and check rotating
torque with torque wrench. Specifications for new
joints are 9 lbs. ft. If torque readings are exces-
sively high or low, replace ball joint.
Removal
1.
While vehicle weight is still on front wheels, position
support between upper control arm and frame side
rail (fig. 15).
2.
Raise vehicle and remove cotter pin and nut from
lower ball joint stud (fig. 29).
3.
Disconnect stabilizer at upper link. Break loose the
lower ball stud. Drop lower control arm until lower
ball joint is easily accessible.
, 4. Using a large chisel, cut off the three ball joint re-
taining plate rivet heads. It may be necessary to
drill out rivet heads before chiseling.
NOTE: Additional support to lower control
arm will be necessary to perform this operation.
5.
Remove ball joint from arm and clean arm.
6. Inspect ball joint seat and rivet holes for evidence of
fatigue such as cracking or bending. If defects are
evident, replace lower control arm as outlined later
in this section.
Installation
1.
Install ball joint in arm using special bolts furnished
with replacement kit.
NOTE: Use only special hardened bolts fur-
nished with this replacement kit. Do not attempt
to use other non-hardened bolts and do not at-
tempt to rivet replacement ball joint to arm.
Fig.
29- Disassembling Lower Ball Stud - Chevy
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
FRONT SUSPENSION 3-18
CHEVROLET
CHEVELLE
CAMARO (TYPICAL)
CHEVY U
LOWER CONTROL ARM
CORVETTE
Fig.
30 - Lower Control Arm Attachment
2.
Raise lower control arm and insert ball stud into
steering knuckle lower boss. Install nut and insert
new cotter pin. Install stabilizer linkage.
Lube Fittings
Special self threading type lube fittings are used in the
spherical joint assemblies. If it is necessary to replace
a fitting a standard threaded type may be used. However,
replacement spherical joint assemblies are supplied less
the lube fitting. Therefore it will be necessary to install
a self threading type fitting into the untapped hole pro-
vided when replacing the entire assembly.
LOWER CONTROL ARM
Chevrolet (Fig. 30)
Removal
1.
Remove the coil spring as outlined previously.
2.
Remove lower control arm ball stud cotter pin and
loosen nut. Loosen the ball stud, then remove nut
and lower control arm.
CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage
the seal during this operation.
Installation
1.
Insert lower control arm ball stud into the steering
boss,
install the nut and insert new cotter pin.
2.
Install the coil spring as outlined previously.
3.
Tighten nuts to torque shown in Specifications.
Chevelle and Camaro (Fig. 30)
Removal
1.
Remove the front coil spring as outlined previously.
2;
Remove the two control arm to frame and cross-
member bracket attaching bolts and lock washers.
3.
Remove the lower control arm assembly.
Installation
1.
With the control arm in place in frame and cross-
member brackets, install the front and rear attaching
bolts,
nuts and lock washers.
2.
Install the coil spring as outlined under "Front Coil
Spring - Installation".
3.
Tighten the nuts to torque shown in Specifications.
Chevy II (Fig. 30)
Removal
1.
With vehicle weight still on front wheels, install
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
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