1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO steering wheel

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 3-21

Chevy II

Removal

1.
Support control arm on Tool J-7 574-4 and insert

Spacer J-9514 (fig. 34).

2,
Press bushing out with Tool J-9226 and Handle

J-7079-2 (fig. 34).

Installation

With Spacer J-9514 still in control arm, invert control

arm and press in new bushing with Tool, J-7474-2 and

Handle J-7079-2 until bushing is fully seated.

CAUTION: It should be noted that control arm

bushing diameters are unequal and bushing must

be pressed into position through larger diameter

only.

CROSS SHAFT AND/ON BUSHINGS

Corvette

Removal

1.
Remove bolt, lock washer and collar from each end

of cross shaft.

2.
Thread a 7/16 x 20 capscrew (furnished with Tool

J-5888) to the bottom of the threads in one end of the

cross shaft.

3.
Support control arm in an arbor press on Tool

J-5888-3,
as shown in Figure 35.

NOTE:
Be certain bushing flange does not

contact support.

4.
Press on cap screw until bushing is free of control

arm. Discard bushing.

5. Remove cap screw from cross shaft. Insert it in

other end of shaft. Invert control arm on support.

Again be certain bushing flange does not contact

support.

6. Press on cap screw until bushing is free of control

arm. Discard bushing.

Installation

1.
With cross shaft in control arm and Tool J-7052-1

in position, place control arm on Tool J-5888-3.

Hand start bushing into control arm and over end of

cross shaft.

NOTE:
The end of the shaft with the two bolt

holes should be toward front of control arm.

2.
Install Tool J-7052-5 over bushing. Be certain

three-piece spacer is not over-lapping bushing holes

in control arm.

3.
Press bushing into control arm until flange contacts

control arm (fig. 36).

4.
Invert arm in press and repeat the process on the

other bushing. After installation, cross shaft should

be free enough to be rotated by hand.

5. Install collar, lock washer and cap screw in each end

of cross shaft. Tighten to torque shown in Specifica-

tions after spring installation.
UPPER CONTROL ARM SPHERICAL JOINT

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Comoro and Corvette

Inspection

The upper spherical joint is checked for wear by

checking the torque required to rotate the ball stud in the

assembly. After performing the first four steps under

"Replacement" below, install a stud nut on the stud and

measure the torque required to turn the stud in the as-

sembly with a torque wrench. Specified torque for a new

joint is 9 lbs. ft. If torque readings are excessively

high or low, replace the ball joint. If excessive wear is

indicated in upper joint, both upper and lower joints

should be replaced.

NOTE:
This inspection does not necessitate

upper control arm removal.

Replacement

1.
Support the vehicle weight at the outer end of the

lower control arm.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

3.
Remove cotter pin and nut from upper control arm

ball stud.

4.
Remove the stud from knuckle.

5. Cut off the ball joint rivets with a chisel.

6. Install new joint and retain in place with the special

nuts and bolts supplied.

7. Reassemble ball stud to the steering knuckle.

Chevy II

Inspection

The following on-the-vehicle check is to determine ball

joint wear.

NOTE:
The upper ball joint is a loose fit when

not connected to the steering knuckle. Wear may

be checked without disassembling the ball stud

by
using'
the following procedure:

1.
While vehicle weight is still on front wheels, insert

upper control arm support as shown in Figure 14.

2.
Raise vehicle and allow wheel and tire to hang free.

3.
Measure distance from tip of ball stud to top surface

of control arm.

4.
Place adjustable jackstand under tire and raise

slightly to take up ball joint looseness.

5. Repeat Step 3 and if the difference in measurements

exceeds 3/32", the joint is excessively worn and

should be replaced.

Replacement

1.
With vehicle weight still on front wheels, install

spacer between upper control arm and frame side

rail (fig. 15). Raise vehicle.

2.
Remove wheel and tire.

3.
Disconnect stabilizer link (if present) and strut rod

at lower control arm.

4.
Remove cotter pin and nut from upper ball joint stud.

5. Break ball stud loose. Drop lower control arm,

steering knuckle and brake assembly with an adjust-

able jackstand until upper control arm ball joint is

easily accessible.

6. 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.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION
3-22

CHEVROLET

s-L 1 \
TYPICAL
OF

-^-x ^K CORVETTE, CHEVELLE AND CAMARO

CHEVY n

Rg.
37 - Upper Control Arm Attachment

NOTE:
Additional support to upper control

arm may be necessary while chiseling.

7. Clean ball joint seat in arm and inspect for cracking

or other evidence of fatigue. If cracks are present at

the rivet holes or ball joint opening, replace arm as

outlined later in this section.

8. Attach replacement ball joint assembly to the control

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.
9. Raise lower control arm and steering knuckle as-

sembly into position, insert upper ball stud into up-

per steering knuckle and install stud nut. Torque

nut as shown in the specifications and insert new

cotter pin. Install stabilizer and strut rod.

10.
Lubricate ball joint, install wheel and tire and re-

move adjustable jackstand.

11.
Lower vehicle and remove upper control arm spacer.

12.
Check and readjust caster and camber angles where

necessary.

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.

UPPER CONTROL ARM

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette

(Fig.
37)

Removal

1.
Support vehicle weight at outer end of lower control

arm.

2.
Remove wheel and tire assembly.

3.
Remove cotter pin and nut from upper control arm

ball stud. ,

4.
REMOVE The stud from knuckle.

5. Remove two nuts retaining upper control arm shaft to

front crossmember. (Chevelle, Camaro and Cor-

vette—Note number of shims at each bolt.)

6. Remove the bolts attaching the control arm to the

frame to allow proper clearance for control arm

removal if necessary.

7. Remove upper control arm from vehicle.

Installation

1.
Install upper control arm in vehicle.

2.
Install nuts, bolts and lock washers retaining upper

control arm shaft to frame. (Chevelle, Camaro and

Corvette—Install same number of shims as removed

at each bolt.)

3.
Torque nuts as shown in the Specifications at the end

of this book.

4.
Install ball stud through knuckle, install nut, tighten

and install cotter pin.

5. Install wheel and tire assembly.

6. Lower vehicle to floor.

7. Bounce front end of vehicle to centralize bushings

and tighten bushing collar bolts as shown in the

Specifications.

Chevy II (Fig. 37)

Removal

1.
Remove spring and shock absorber as outlined above.

2.
Position adjustable jackstand under lower control

arm.

3.
Remove cotter pin and nut from upper ball joint stud

and strike steering knuckle boss to loosen stud.

4.
Drop lower control arm and steering knuckle

assembly.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-29

REAR AXLE NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Mechanical failures of the rear axle are relatively

simple to locate and correct. Noise in a rear axle is a

little more difficult to diagnose and repair. One of the

most essential parts of rear axle service is proper

diagnosis.

Ail rear axles are noisy to a certain degree. The

action of transmitting the high engine torque through a

90° turn reducing propeller shaft speed produces noise

in rear axles. This point establishes the need for a line

between normal and abnormal or unacceptable axle

noises.

Slight axle noise heard only at a certain speed or under

remote conditions must be considered normal. Axle noise

tends to "peak" at varying speeds and the noise is in no

way indicative of trouble in the axle.

If noise is present in an objectionable form, loud or at

all speeds, an effort should be made to isolate the noise

as being in one particular unit of the vehicle. Axle noise

is often confused with other noises such as tire noise,

transmission noise, propeller shaft vibration and uni-

versal joint noise. Isolation of the noise as in any one

unit requires skill and experience. An attempt to elimini-

ate a slight noise may baffle even the best of diagnos-

ticians. Such practices as raising tire pressure to

eliminate tire noise, listening for the noise at varying

speeds and on drive, float and coast, and under proper

highway conditions, turning the steering wheel from left

to right to detect wheel bearing noise, will aid even the

beginner in detecting alleged axle noises. Axle noises

fall into two categories: gear noise and bearing noise.

GEAR NOISE

Abnormal gear noise can be recognized since it pro-

duces a cycling pitch and will be very pronounced in the

speed range at which it occurs, appearing under either

"drive," "float" or "coast" conditions. Gear noise

tends to peak in a narrow speed range or ranges, while

bearing noise will tend to remain constant in pitch. Ab-

normal gear noise is rare and usually originates from

the scoring of the ring gear and pinion teeth as a result

of insufficient or improper lubrication in new assemblies.

Side gears seldom give trouble as they are used only

when the rear wheels travel at different speeds.

BEARING NOISE

Defective bearings will always produce a whine that is

constant in pitch and varies with vehicle speed. This fact

will allow you to distinguish between bearing noise and

gear noise.

1.
Pinion bearing noise resulting from a bearing failure

can be identified by a constant rough sound. Pinion

bearings are rotating at a higher speed than differen-

tial side bearings or axle shaft bearings. This

particular noise can be picked up best by testing the

car on a smooth road (black top). However, care

should be taken not to confuse tire noise with bear-

ing or gear noise. If any doubt exists, tire treads

should be examined for irregularities that would

produce such noise.

2.
Wheel bearing noise may be confused with rear axle

noise. To differentiate between wheel bearings and

rear axle, drive the vehicle on a smooth road at

medium-low speed. With traffic permitting, turn
Fig.
74—Scored Hypoid Ring Gear

the vehicle sharply right and left. If noise is caused

by wheel bearings, it will increase in the turns be-

cause of the side loading. If noise cannot be isolated

to front or rear wheel bearings, inspection will be

necessary.

3.
Side bearings will produce a constant rough noise of

a slower nature than pinion bearings. Side bearing

noise will not fluctuate in the above wheel bearing

test.

Failure Analysis

The most common types of rear axle failures are

hypoid gear tooth scoring and fracture, differential gear

fracture. and/or differential bearing failure, and axle

shaft bearing failure.

Fig.
75-Cracked Hypoid Ring Gear

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL