1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO ABS

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-11

lower cushion

correct.
will be aligned if installation is

Fig.
25—Installing Spring Front Bushing (Camaro)

Unnecessary torque applied after flange is

seated will tend to distort flange and reposition

bushing in spring.

i. Disassemble bushing installation tools and re-

move from spring.

8. Pry parking brake cable out of the retainer bracket

mounted on the spring mounting plate.

9. Remove spring bracket-to-axle bracket retaining

nuts,
remove upper and lower rubber spring pads

and bracket.

10.
Support spring, then remove lower bolt from spring

rear shackle. Separate shackle and withdraw spring

from vehicle.

11.
Remove rear spring shackle upper bolt and withdraw

shackle bushings from frame.

Installation

1.
Position spring front mounting bracket to spring

front eye. Spring attaching bolt must be installed

so that head of bolt is toward center of vehicle.

2.
Position spring shackle upper bushings in frame,

position shackles to bushings and loosely install

bolt and nut.

3.
Install bushing halves in spring rear eye, place

spring to shackles and loosely install shackle lower

bolt and nut.

NOTE: When installing spring, make sure

spring is positioned so that parking brake cable

is on underside of spring.

4.
Raise front end of spring and position bracket to

underbody. Guide spring into position so that it will

index in the axle bracket and also make sure that

the tab on spring bracket is indexed in slot pro-

vided in the underbody.

5.
Loosely install spring-to-underbody bracket.

6. Position spring upper cushion between spring and

axle bracket so that spring cushion ribs align with

axle bracket locating ribs.

7.
Place lower spring cushion on spring so that .cushion

is indexed on locating dowel. Upper cushion and
8. Place lower mounting plate over locating dowel on

spring lower pad and loosely install retaining nuts.

9. If new mounting plate was installed, transfer parking

brake cable retaining bracket to new plate.

10.
Position shock absorber to spring mounting plate and

loosely install eye bolt and nut - head of bolt should

be toward front of vehicle.

11.
Position parking brake cable in retaining bracket and

securely clamp bracket to retain cable.

12.
Remove stand jacks and lower vehicle so that weight

of vehicle rests on suspension components. Torque

all affected parts to specifications.

SHOCK ABSORBER

Chevrolet and Chevelle

Removal

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support rear axle

assembly.

If equipped with superlift shock absorber, disconnect

air line from shock absorber.

Disconnect shock absorber at upper mounting bracket

by removing the two retaining bolts. Refer to Figure

26 for shock absorber mounting details. (Chevelle

components shown as typical.)

Disconnect shock absorber at lower attaching bracket

and remove shock.

NOTE: When performing any service opera-

tions that requires removal or loosening of the

lower attaching nut, it is essential that the stud

be prevented from turning. A hex is located on

the stud between the axle bracket and shock

absorber in order that a wrench may be used

for this purpose. Failure to hold the stud in

this manner will result in damage to the mer

chanical bond between the shock absorber bush-

ing and the mounting stud.
2.

3.

STATION WAGON AND PICKUP

Fig.
26—Shock Absorber Mounting—Exploded View

(Chevelle)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-12

Fig.
27—Shock Absorber Mounting—Exploded View (Chevy II)

Installation

1.
Loosely install the two shock absorber upper at-

taching bolts.

2.
Position lower attaching stud in axle bracket and

loosely install lock washer and nut.

3.
Torque upper attaching bolts to specifications.

4.
Torque lower attaching nut to specifications, ob-

serving procedure outlined in Removal procedure.

5.
If equipped with superlift shock absorbers, connect

air line to shock absorber and add air to obtain a

minimum of 10 psi.

6. Lower vehicle and check shock absorber action.

Fig.
28—Removing Shock Absorber Eye Bolt (Chevy II)
Chevy H

Removal (Refer to Fig. 27)

1.
Raise vehicle and support axle housing with adjust-

able jackstand.

2.
Loosen and remove shock absorber lower mounting

bolt from shock absorber eye (fig. 28).

3.
Remove shock absorber upper mounting bracket

bolts and withdraw shock absorber and bracket.

4.
Remove nut, washers, bushing and upper mounting

bracket from shock absorber. Inspect rubber bush-

ings for aging or damage and replace where

necessary.

Installation

1.
Assemble nut, washer, rubber bushings, bracket and

upper bushing to shock absorber. Torque nut to

specifications.

2.
Install shock absorber with upper bracket to floor

pan and torque to specifications.

3.
Insert shock absorber eye into lower bracket, install

bolt with nut to rear and torque to specifications.

4.
Lower vehicle and test shock absorber action.

Comoro

Removal (Refer to Fig. 29)

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support rear axle

assembly.

2.
Loosen and remove shock absorber lower attaching

bolt from shock absorber eye.

3.
Remove shock absorber upper mounting bracket-to-

iiinderbody retaining screws and withdraw shock ab-

sorber and bracket.

4.
Remove nut, upper retainer and grommet, gasket

and bracket, and lower grommet and retainer from

the shock absorber rod.

5.
Inspect rubber grommets and gasket for damage and

deterioration--replace as required.

Installation

1.
Assemble lower retainer and grommet, bracket and

gasket, upper grommet and retainer and nut to the

shock absorber rod. Torque nut to specifications.

2.
Position shock absorber bracket to underbody and

install bracket retaining screws. Torque retaining

screws to specifications.

3.
Insert shock absorber eye into lower bracket, install

bolt with head toward front of vehicle. Torque nut to

specifications.

4.
Lower vehicle and test shock absorber action.

CONTROL ARM

Chevrolet Upper

Removal

1.
*
Using,a suitable hoist that will support the rear axle

housing or wheels (such as a twin post or drive on

ramp type), remove the rear pivot bushing bolt at

the rear axle housing (fig. 30).

NOTE: The rear axle must be supported in

such a way as to prevent the axle housing from

rotating about the lower control arm rear pivot,

and to also relieve load on the pivot bushing.

2.
Remove the three bolts, lock washers and nuts at-

taching the upper control arm bracket to the

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-13

Fig.
29—Shock Absorber Mounting—Exploded View (Comoro)

crossmember.

3.
Separate the control arm bracket from the cross-

member. Remove the arm from under vehicle.

4.
Remove the bolt, nut and washer attaching the upper

control arm to the bracket. Separate the control

arm from the bracket.

Bushing Replacement

1.
Clamp control arm securely in a vise and remove

bracket from forward end of arm.

2.
Place Puller Screw J-21058-15 through Puller

Adapter J-21830-2. Position puller screw through

small end of bushing then install Receiver J-21830-4

and Bridge J-21830-7 over opposite end of bushing.

Center receiver and bridge over flanged end of

bushing then position thrust bearing and Nut

J-21058-8 on puller screw. Refer to Figure 31 for

installation of removal tools.

3.
Turn Nut J-21058-8 to withdraw bushing, making

sure Remover Adapter J-21830-2 is centered and

will clear hole in control arm.

4.
Disassemble puller tools and position Installer

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

Install Spacer J-21830-6 over small end of bushing

so that it makes contact with J-21830-2.
Fig.
30—Rear Suspension Upper Control Arm

Attaching Points (Chevrolet)

Position Puller Screw J-21058-15 through J-21830-2

and bushing so that head of screw rests against

J-21830-2. Position this assembly in control arm

as shown in Figure 32.

Install receiver, bridge, thrust bearing and nut to

complete installation as shown in Figure 32.

Turn Nut J-21058-8 to pull bushing into control

arm. Check position of bushing when installing to

make sure bushing is properly aligned. When bush-

ing is properly installed, Spacer J-21830-6 will stop

against control arm.

Disassemble bushing installation tools and reinstall

attaching bracket to control arm. Install bracket

pivot bolt so that nut will be on outboard side of arm.

Fig.
31—Upper Control Arm Bushing Removal (Chevrolet)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-14

Fig.
32—Upper Control Arm Bushing Installation (Chevrolet)

Installation

1.
Position rear of control arm into axle bracket and

loosely install the pivot bolt.

2.
Align the forward end of the control arm with the

rear crossmember and install front bracket bolts

through holes. Raise or lower nose of carrier as

/ required to help align bracket and crossmember.

3.
Install crossmember reinforcement plate, lock

washers and nuts to retain bracket in place.

4.
Position vehicle so that weight is on suspension

components and torque all affected parts to

specifications.

Chevrolet Lower

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle and remove shock absorber and spring

as outlined in this section.
NOTE:
If both rear suspension lower control

arms are to be removed, support the rear axle

in such a manner to prevent damage to brake

lines and to prevent assembly from falling.

2.
Note position of control arm in forward attaching

bracket and disconnect control arm at forward and

rearward attaching points. Remove assembly from

vehicle.

Bushing Replacement

Lower control arm front and rear bushing assemblies

are not interchangeable and require separate removal

and installation procedures.

1.
Replace the front bushing as follows.

a. Center Receiver J-7574-4 over flanged end of

bushing and position Spacer J-7574-3 over bush-

ing and between sides of control arm. Using

Remover J- 7574-1 against small end of bushing,

press bushing from control arm. Refer to Figure

33 for installed view of tools.

b.
Position bushing in control arm making sure of

correct installation. Small end of bushing will

pass through one side without any interference.

c. Position Puller Screw J-21058-15 through In-

staller Adapter J-7574-2--head of puller screw

should rest against flat side of adapter.

d. Install adapter and screw through bushing with

adapter resting against flange portion of bushing.

Install Receiver J-21058-6 and Bridge J^-21058-7

on opposite side of control arm (fig. 34).

e. Install thrust bearing and Nut J-21058-8. Screw

nut against J-21058-7 to maintain proper relation-

Fig.
33—Lower Control Arm Front Bushing Removal (Chevrolet)
Fig. 34—Lower Control Arm Front Bushing Installation

(Chevrolet)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-15

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

the partially installed bushing and between the

sides of the control arm.

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

pulled flush against control arm. Do not exert

undue force against control arm after bushing is

installed. Overtightening of J-21058-
8
will cause

damage to walls of control arm.

g. Disassemble tools and inspect bushing for proper

installation.

Replace the rear bushing as follows:

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

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

is opposite button end of remover. Install this

assembly, threaded end of sc'rew first, through

bushing to be removed.

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

. over screw and against control arm. Position

thrust bearing against J-21830-7 and screw

J-21058-8 snugly against bearing. Install Spacer

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

bushing.

c. Check tool installation for proper alignment and

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

trol arm. Refer to Figure 35 for installed view

of tools.

d. Disassemble tools and position Installer Adapter

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

tion bushing in control arm making sure of cor-

rect installation. Small end of bushing will pass

through one side of arm without any interference.

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

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

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

tain proper relationship of parts; then position

Spacer J- 21830- 3 over bushing and between sides

of control arm.

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

\

J-2K

X
D58-8
J-218
30-7

IP

•he?

21830-4
J-21830-2

JfSir

J-21830-3

Fig.
35—Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing Removal

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

(Chevrolet)

against side of control arm. Do not apply undue

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

do so may cause permanent distortion to control

arm.

g. Disassemble tools and check bushing for proper

installation.

Installation

NOTE:
Make sure control arm is reinstalled

in proper forward attaching position. Reinstall

in same hole as noted during removal. Top

attaching hole is used for all installations except

station wagons and heavy-duty suspension (RPO

F41).
Opposite arm must be installed in cor-

responding position.

1.
Position the control arm between the mounting

brackets and loosely install the pivot bolt retaining

nuts in the proper position.

2.
Install spring and shock absorber as outlined in this

section.

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

pension components and torque all affected parts to

specifications.

Chevelle Upper and Lower

Removal

NOTE:
If both upper control arms and both

lower control arms are to be removed at the

same time, remove both coil springs as outlined

under "Coil Spring Removal".

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

bly to hand freely and position supports under both

frame side rails.

2.
Support axle assembly with an adjustable lifting de-

vice and raise rear axle assembly until tension is

relieved in control arm being removed.

3.
Disconnect control arm at forward and rearward

attaching points and remove from vehicle.

Bushing Replacement

The upper arm front bushing and carrier ear bushings

are of the same part number and are interchangeable.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-18

ig.
44—Rear Suspension Tie Rod Attaching Points (Chevrolet)

Bushing
Replacement

The following bushing removal procedure is effective

for both ends of the tie rod used on station wagons and

the left end of the tie rod used on all models except

station wagons.

1,
With tie rod bushing centered over Tool J-7877-2

and with tie rod supported horizontally, press or

drive bushing from rod, using Tools J-7877-1 and

J-7079-2 as shown in Figure 45.

2.
With tie rod 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 45. Tool J-7877-3 should bottom on tie

rod when bushing is fully installed.
fig.
45—Tie Rod Bushing Replacement (Chevrolet)

Installation

1.
Mount the tie rod to the axle bracket stud. Install

nut and special washer but do not tighten.

NOTE:
On the tie rod used on all models except

station wagons, place flanged portion of bushing

against attaching bracket.

2.
Install the bolt, lock washer and nut to the frame

bracket (fig. 44). Do not tighten.

NOTE:
Bolt may be installed from either

direction.

3.
Lower vehicle to floor (if raised) and bounce rear

end several times to settle bushings. Tighten af-

fected parts to specifications.

COMPONENT PARTS REPLACEMENT (CORVETTE)

WHEEL SPINDLE AND SUPPORT (Fig. 46)

Removal

Hemdve wheel drive spindle as outlined previously in

this section under "Wheel Bearing Adjustment".

Repairs

Out of 3/8" square steel bar stock, make bearing

removers and use as shown in Figure 47.

After removing deflector, spindle inner grease seal

and inner bearing race, bearing cups may be re-

moved while spindle support is still mounted to the

torque arm, by inserting remover tool and tapping

cup out. New bearing cups are installed using Tool

J-7817 cup installer and handle J-8092 (fig. 48).

To remove spindle support from torque arm, pro-

ceed as follows.

a. Disconnect parking brake cable from actuating

lever.

b.
Remove four nuts securing support to torque arm

and withdraw brake backing plate and position it

out of the way.

c. Disconnect shock absorber lower eye from strut

rod mounting shaft. It may be necessary to sup-

port spring outer end before disconnecting shock
absorber, as shock absorber has internal rebound

control.

d. Remove cotter pin and nut from strut rod mount-

ing shaft, then pull shaft from support and strut

rod.

e. Spindle support may then be removed and bearing

cups serviced as in Step 2 above.

4.
To remove drive spindle outer bearing and seal

proceed as follows.

a. Position Tool J-8331 between chamfered edge of

bearing seat and inner race of bearing (fig. 49).

Clamp Tool J-8331 in a vise and apply pressure

to unseat bearing.

CAUTION: Use extreme caution when position-

ing Tool J-8331 against machined surface of

spindle. Make sure all tool imperfections such

as nicks and burrs are removed from spindle

contact area before applying pressure to unseat

bearing.

b.
Position Tool J-8331 and spindle in an arbor

press and press bearing from spindle (fig. 50).

c. Remove outer seal and inspect for damage--re-

place if necessary. Outer seal must be placed on

spindle before outer bearing inner race and roller

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

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