1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO wheel bolt torque

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-20

Fig.
51—Shock Absorber Installation (Corvette)

6. Tap new spindle inner grease seal into seal bore

and install deflector over support inner end.

Installation

1.
Position support over torque arm bolts with strut

rod fork toward center of vehicle and downward.

Place backing plate over studs and torque nuts to

specifications.

2.
Connect parking brake cable to actuating lever.

3.
Install drive spindle assembly as outlined previously

in this section under "Wheel Bearing Adjustment".

4.
If new spindle support or associated parts are in-

stalled, determine correct shim size as follows.

a. Assemble spindle to support, using a .145" shim.

b.
Check bearing adjustment and correct as neces-

sary, following adjustment procedures previously

outlined.

DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER SUPPORT

BRACKET REPLACEMENT

1.
Place a 1/2" thick block of wood or steel between

nose of differential carrier and floor pan. This will

prevent carrier from twisting upward when support

bracket is disconnected.

2.
Remove carrier support-to-crossmember attaching

bolt.

3.
Remove nut from both of the bracket-to-carrier

through bolts.

4.
Slide bolts to one side until bolt head contacts floor

well. Mark the floor well at this point and drill a

3/4"
diameter hole for each bolt in floor well and

remove bolts.

5. Assemble carrier support bracket by reversing

above procedure. Torque all affected parts to

specifications.

6. Insert plastic plugs from the inside of the floor well

holes to prevent dust and water entry.
STRUT ROD SHAFT STRUT ROD

CAMBER CAM

AND BOLT

Fig.
52—Strut Rods (Corvette)

SHOCK ABSORBER (Fig. 51)

Removal

1.
Disconnect shock absorber upper mounting bolt*

2.
Remove lower mounting nut and lock washer.

3.
Slide shock upper eye out of frame bracket and pull

lower eye and rubber grommets off strut rod mount-

ing shaft.

4.
Inspect grommets and shock absorber upper eye for

excessive wear.

Installation

1.
Slide upper mounting eye into frame mounting

bracket and install bolt, lock washer and nut.

2.
Place rubber grommet, shock lower eye, inboard

grommet, washers and nut over strut rod shaft.

3.
Torque nuts to specifications.

STRUT ROD AND BRACKET (Fig. 52)

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle enough to provide working clearance.

2.
Disconnect shock absorber lower eye from strut

rod shaft.

3.
Remove strut rod shaft cotter pin and nut. With-

draw shaft by pulling toward front of vehicle (fig. 53).

4.
Mark relative position of camber adjusting cam and

Fig.
53-Removing Strut Rod Shaft (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-21

Fig.
54—Marking Camber Cam and Bracket (Corvette)

bracket, so they may be reassembled in same loca-

tion (fig. 54).

5.
Loosen camber bolt and nut. Remove four bolts se-

curing strut rod bracket to carrier and lower

bracket.

6. Remove cam bolt nut and cam and bolt assembly.

Pull strut down out of bracket and remove bushing

caps.

7.
Inspect strut rod bushings for wear and replace

where necessary. Replace strut rod if it is bent or

damaged in any way.

Repairs

1.
With strut rod bushing centered over Tool J-7877-2

and with strut rod supported horizontally, press or

drive bushing from rod, using Tools J-7877-i and

J-7079-2 as shown in Figure 55.

2.
With strut rod end centered over Tool J-7877-2 and

rod supported horizontally, press or drive bushing

into arm using Tools J-7877-3 and J-7079-2 as

shown in Figure 55. Tool J-7877-3 should bottom

on strut rod when bushing is fully installed.

Installation

1.
Place bushing caps over inboard bushing and slide

rod into bracket. Install cam and bolt assembly and

adjust cam to line up with mark on bracket. Tighten

nut but do not torque at this point.
SPRING
LINK BOLT

SPRING
CUSHION

SPRING

CUSHION
CENTER

CLAMP

PLATE

J-7877-3

J-7877-1

STRUT ROD 11 s* ^#3 STRUT ROD

BUSHING
Fig.
56—Spring Mounting (Corvette)

2.
Raise bracket and assemble to carrier lower mount-

ing surface. Torque bolts to specifications.

3.
Raise outboard end of strut rod into spindle support

fork and insert strut rod shaft into fork so that flat

on shaft lines up with corresponding flat in spindle

fork. Install retaining nut, but do not torque.

4.
Place shock absorber lower eye and bushing over

strut shaft, install washer and nut and torque to

specifications.

5.
Lower vehicle to floor and torque camber cam nut

and strut rod shaft nut to specifications. Then in-

stall cotter pin through rod bolt.

6. Check rear wheel camber and adjust where

necessary.

SPRING (Fig. 56)

Removal

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support on frame slightly

forward of torque control arm pivot points. Remove

wheels and tires.

Fig.
55—Strut Rod Bushing Replacement
Fig.
57—Chain Installation (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-23

Fig.
62—Torque Control Arm (Corvette)

2.
Place center clamp plate in position and install four

bolts and washers. Tighten bolts and torque to

specifications.

3.
Raise spring outer end with floor jack until spring

is nearly flat and secure with chain as in Step 3-

Removal.

.4.
Lower jack, align torque control arm with spring

end and insert link bolt, rubber cushions and re-

tainers. Install castellated nut on link bolt and

tighten until cotter pin hole in bolt is visible. In-

sert new cotter pin and bend ends around.

5. Raise spring end with jack under link bolt, and re-

move chain and C clamp when loose.

6. Carefully lower jack, making sure rubber cushions

remain indexed in retainers.

7. Remove jack and repeat on opposite side. Install

wheels and tires, remove frame supports and lower

vehicle to floor.

TORQUE CONTROL ARM (Fig. 62)

Removal

1.
Disconnect spring on side torque arm is to be re-

moved. Follow Steps 1-6, Spring-Removal.

NOTE:
If vehicle is so equipped, disconnect

stabilizer rod from torque arm - refer to

"Stabilizer Rod Replacement".

2.
Remove shock absorber lower eye from strut rod

shaft.

3.
Disconnect and remove strut rod shaft and swing

strut rod down.

4.
Remove four bolts securing axle drive shaft to

spindle flange and disconnect drive shaft.

NOTE:
It may be necessary to force torque

arm outboard to provide clearance to drop drive

shaft.

5. Disconnect brake line at wheel cylinder inlet or

caliper and from torque arm. Disconnect parking

brake cable.

6. Remove torque arm pivot bolt and toe-in shims and

pull torque arm out of frame. Tape shims together

and identify for correct reinstallation.
RETAINER

RETAINER

PLATE

BUSHING

CONTROL ARM

Fig.
63—Torque Control Arm Bushing Cross-Sect ion (Corvette)

NOTE:
For service operations pertaining to

the spindle support assembly, refer to service

operations under Wheel Spindle and Support

earlier in this section.

Repairs (Fig. 63)

1.
Using 11/16" drill, drill out flared end of bushing

retainer (fig. 64).

2.
Remove special retainer plate and tap retainer out

of bushing.

3.
Remove bushings by spreading them apart with a

chisel and tap out of arm (fig. 65).

NOTE:
If bushing diameters are severely

rusted in torque arm, and arm tends to spread

during removal, clamp arm in a C-clamp to

prevent spreading.

Fig.
64—Drilling Out Retainer Flare (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-24

4

i*
5

Fig.
65—Removing Bushings (Corvette)

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

tion) and start bushings squarely in arm.

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

press bushings into place.

6. When bushings are fully installed, place special

plate over flared portion of new bushing retainer

and insert retainer into bushing.

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

ing tool support to the dimensions shown in Figure

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

bolts.

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

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

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

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

retainer and that chambered retainer plate is cen-

tered over retainer tube.

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

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

retainer. Continue threading J-8111-23 until retainer

is flared (fig. 68).

Installation

1.
Place torque arm in frame opening.

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

of torque arm, install pivot bolt and tighten but do

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

3.
Raise axle drive shaft into position and install to

drive flange. Torque bolts to specifications.

4.
Raise strut rod into position and insert strut rod

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

port fork. Install nut and torque to specifications.

5. Install shock absorber lower eye and tighten nut

to specifications.

6. Connect spring end as outlined under Spring-

Bistallation, Steps 3-6'.

NOTE:
If vehicle is so equipped, connect sta-

bilizer shaft to torque arm - refer to "Sta-

bilizer Shaft Replacement".

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

lower vehicle. Tighten torque arm pivot bolt. Bleed

brakes as outlined in Section 5-Brakes.

SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

Removal

1.
Disconnect and remove spring as outlined under

Spring-Removal.

2.
Remove differential carrier assembly as outlined

under Differential Carrier-Removal in this section.

3.
Support crossmember, remove bolts securing

crossmember isolation mounts to frame and lower

crossmember (fig. 69).

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

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-25

Fig.
69—Removing Crossmember (Corvette)

4.
Remove bolts securing carrier cover to cross-

member.

5.
Inspect rubber isolation mounts for aging and re-

place where necessary.

Repairs—Isolation Mount

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

moval (fig. 70).

2.
Place crossmember on a suitable support and press

mount out of arm using a piece of suitable size pipe

or tubing on outer shell or inner insert.

3.
Place new mount into position on crossmember,

compress outer sleeve and press mount into place

until it is fully and squarely seated.

4.
After installation, bend over locking tabs.

Installation

1.
Install carrier cover to crossmember and torque

bolts to specifications.

2.
Raise crossmember into position and install mount-

ing bolts. Torque bolts to specifications.

3.
Install differential carrier assembly as outlined

under Differential Carrier
-
Installation in this

section.

4.
Install wheels and tires, remove frame supports and

lower vehicle.

STABILIZER SHAFT REPLACEMENT

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

with stand jacks.

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

71).
Remove stabilizer shaft brackets from the

frame and withdraw assembly from vehicle.
ISOLATION MOUNT

CROSSMEMBER

BEND OVER TABS AFTER INSTALLATION

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

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

spect shaft for bends, breaks or other defects - do

not attempt to straighten shaft - replace parts as

deemed necessary.

4.
Position bushings on shaft and loosely install shaft

to torque arms and at frame brackets.

5.
Align shaft to assume proper placement when bolts

are torqued, and torque attaching bolts to

specifications.

Fig.
71—Stabilizer Shaft Installation (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

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

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-31

Fig.
77—Differential Pinion Shaft Removal

AXLE SHAFT

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle to desired working height and remove

wheel and tire assembly and brake drum.

2.
Clean all dirt from area of carrier cover. *

3.
Drain lubricant from carrier by removing cover.

4.
Remove the differential pinion shaft lock screw and

the differential pinion shaft (fig. 77).

5. Push flanged end of axle shaft toward center of

vehicle and remove "C" lock from button end of

shaft.

6. Remove axle shaft from housing, being careful not

to damage oil seal.

Wheel Bolt Replacement .

Press bolts out of axle shaft flange (as illustrated in

Figure 78) and press new bolts into place, making sure

that they are tight and square with flange.

Off Seal and/or Bearing Replacement

•1.
Remove the oil seal by using the button end of the

axle shaft - insert the button end of the shaft behind

the steel case of the oil seal, then pry seal out of

bore being careful not to damage housing.

2.
Insert Tool J-8119 into bore and position it behind

bearing so that tangs on tool engage bearing outer

x race. Remove bearing, using slide hammer as shown

in Figure 79. Figure 80 shows a detail of axle

housing outer end.

3.
Lubricate new bearing with wheel bearing lubricant,

and install bearing so that it bottoms against
Fig.
79—Wheel Bearing Removal

shoulder (fig. 81). To install bearing use Tool

J-21491 for the Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy JI

light-duty axle and Tool J-21051 for all Chevrolet

models and also for Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy tl

models with heavy-duty axle.

Pack cavity between the seal lips with a high melting

point wheel bearing lubricant; position seal on tool

(Use J-21491 for the Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy II

light-duty axle and J-21051 for all Chevrolet models

and also for Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy II models

with heavy-duty axle) and position seal in axle

housing bore, tap seal into place so that it bottoms

against bearing (fig. 81).

Brake Flange Plate Replacement

1.
Remove "brake line at wheel cylinder inlet and dis-

assemble brake components from flange plate. Refer

to Section 5 for brake disassembly procedure.

2.
Remove 4 nuts securing flange plate to axle housing.

3.
Install new flange plate to axle housing and torque

nuts to specifications.

Fig.
78—Wheel Bolt Replacement
Fig.
80-Axle Housing Detail

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-32

HP?

Fig.
81
—Whed Bearing and/or Oil Seal Installation

4.
Install brake components on flange and connect

hydraulic line to wheel cylinder inlet. See Section 5

for brake assembly procedure.

5. Install axle shaft, brake drum and wheel and tire

assembly.

6. Bleed and. adjust brakes as outlined in Section 5.

Installation

1.
Slide axle shaft into place.

CAUTION: Exercise care that splines on end

of shaft do not damage oil seal and that they

engage with splines of differential side gear/

2.
Install axle shaft "C" lock on button end of axle-

shaft and push shaft outward so that shaft lock seats

in counterbore of differential side gear.

3.
Position differential pinion shaft through case and

pinions, aligning hole in shaft with lock screw hole.

Install lock screw and torque to specifications.

4.
Using a new gasket, install carrier cover and torque

bolts to specifications.

CAUTION: Make sure both gasket surfaces on

carrier and cover are clean before installing

new gasket. Torque carrier cover bolts in a

crosswise pattern to ensure uniform draw on

cover gasket.

5. Fill axle with lubricant to a level even with bottom

of filler hole. See Section 0 for proper lubricant.

6. Install brake drum and wheel and tire assembly.

7. Lower vehicle and test operation of axle.

PINION FLANGE, DUST DEFLECTOR

AND/OR OIL SEAL

Replacement

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and place stand jacks under

frame side rails so that axle hangs freely to allow

sufficient working room.

2.
Check wheels for freedom of rotation.

3.
Separate rear universal joint, tape trunnion bearings

to joint, position propeller shaft to one side and tie

it to frame side rail.

4.
Using Tool J-5853 with Adapter J-5810 and a suitable

socket on the pinion flange nut, rotate the pinion

through several complete revolutions and record the

torque required to keep the pinion turning (fig. 82).

If flange is to be reused, mark pinion and flange for

reassembly in the same relative position.

5. Install Tool J-8614-1 on pinion flange and remove

pinion flange nut and washer (fig. 83). (Position
Fig. 82—Measuring Drive Pinion Bearing Preload

J-8614-1 on flange so that the four notches are

toward flange.) Discard nut and use a new one

upon reassembly.

6. Thread pilot end of Tool J-8614-3 into small O.D.

end of J-8614-2. Then with J-8614-1 installed as

in Step 4, insert J-8614-2 into J-8614-1 and turn

it 45 degrees to locked position. Remove flange by

turning J-8614-3 while holding J-8614-1 (fig. 84).

7. Pry old seal out of bore, using a screw driver or a

hammer and chisel.

8. Inspect pinion flange for smooth oil seal surface,

worn drive splines, damaged ears, and for smooth-

ness of bearing contact surface. Replace if

necessary.

9. If deflector requires replacement, remove by tapping

from flange, clean up stake points; install new de-

flector, and stake deflector at three new equally

spaced positions.

NOTE:
Staking operation must be performed

in such a manner that the seal operating surface

is not damaged.

1.0. Pack the cavity between the seal lips of the pinion

flange oil seal with a lithium-base extreme pressure

lubricant, position seal in bore, then using Tools

J-21468 and J-9458, for light-duty axle and Tool

Fig. 83-—Drive Pinion Nut Removal

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL