1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO tow

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 3-25

Installation

1.
Insert new bushing in control arm and over pivot

shaft.

2.
Support arm on J-5888-3 and insert Spacer J-
8345-1.

5.
Press bushing into place with Installer J-9513-3

(fig. 40).

Invert arm and press remaining bushing in place with

J-9513-3.

Install bushing spacers, lock washers and nuts

to pivot shaft ends. Torque as indicated in

Specifications.

NOTE:
Pivot shaft bolts must be in horizontal

position (toward center line of vehicle) before

torquing nuts.

Corvette

Removal

1.
Remove cap screws, lock washers and collars from

both ends of cross shaft.
2.
Install a 3/8-24 cap screw (furnished with Tool

J- 5888) in one end of cross shaft.

3.
Support control arm in an arbor press on Tool

J-5888-3 as shown in Figure 41.

NOTE:
Be certain flange of bushing does not

contact support.

4.
Press out bushing, invert control arm and repeat

process on other bushing. Discard bushings.

5. Remove cap screw from cross shaft.

Installation

1.
Install arm in arbor press with Tool J-7052-2 in

place and press in one bushing while supported on

Tool J-5888-3 as shown in Figure 42.

2.
Install cross shaft in arm, invert in press, and press

in second bushing as above.

3.
Cross shaft should be able to be turned by hand.

4.
Install collar, lock washer and cap screw in ends of

cross shaft. Do not tighten.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-6

Fig.
10—Toe-in Adjusting Shim Location (Corvette)

Toe-in

Wheel toe-in is adjusted by inserting shims of varying

thickness inside the frame side member on both sides

of the torque arm pivot bushing (fig. 10). Shims are

available in thicknesses of
1/64",
1/32",
1/8" and 1/4".

To adjust toe-in, remove torque arm pivot bolt; then

position torque arm to obtain specified toe-in. Shim gap

toward vehicle centerline between torque arm bushing

and frame side inner wall.

NOTE: Do not use thicker shim than necessary,

and do not use undue force when shimming inner

side of torque arm - to do so may cause toe

setting to change.

Shim outboard gap as necessary to obtain solid stack-

up between torque arm bushing and inner wall of frame

side member. After correct shim stack has been se-

lected, install pivot bolt and hardened washers (fig. 10) -
making sure that all shims are retained - torque nut to

specifications and install cotter pin. If specified torque

does not permit cotter pin insertion, tighten nut to next

flat.

WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT (CORVETTE)

inspection

The tapered-roller spindle bearings should have end

play of .001" to
.008".
During inspection, check end

play and, when necessary, adjust as outlined in this

section.

1.
Raise rear of vehicle until wheels clear ground.

2.
Disengage bolt lock tabs and disconnect outboard end

of axle drive shaft from wheel spindle flange.

3.
Mark camber cam in relation to bracket. Loosen and

turn camber bolt until strut rod forces control arm

outward. Position loose end of axle drive shaft to

one side for access to spindle.

4.
Remove wheel and tire assembly. Mount dial in-

dicator (Tool J-8001) on torque arm or adjacent

surface and rest pointer on flange or spindle end

(fig. H).

5.
Grasp brake disc and move axially (in and out) while

reading movement on dial indicator. If end movement

is within the .001" to .008" limit, bearings do not

require adjustment. If not within .001" to .008"

limit, record reading for future reference and adjust

bearings as outlined below.

Adjustment

1.
Apply parking brake to prevent spindle from turning

and remove cotter pin and nut from spindle.

2.
Release parking brake and remove drive spindle

flange from splined end of spindle.

3.
Remove brake caliper and brake disc as outlined in

Section 5.

4.
Install Thread Protector J-21859-2 over spindle

threads; then remove drive spindle from spindle

support, using Tool J-22602 as shown in Figure 12.

CAUTION: When using Tool J-22601 to remove

drive spindle, make sure puller plate is posi-

Fig.
11—Checking Wheel Bearing Adjustment (Corvette)
Fig. 12—Removing Drive Spindle from Support (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-9

Fig.
17—Rear Spring—Exploded View (Chevy II)

LEAF SPRING, SPRING SEAT PADS, SPRING EYE

BUSHINGS Chevy II (Fig. 17)

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle and support rear axle assembly.

2.
Pull parking brake cable out of lower spring pad

mounting bracket clamp and disconnect cable above

axle housing. Remove four nuts securing lower

spring pad mounting bracket to axle spring seat

(fig. 18). Drop lower bracket and remove rubber

spring pad.

3.
Loosen and drive out front spring eye bolt. Lower

spring and remove front rubber eye bushing (fig. 19).

4.
Remove nuts from rear spring shackle (fig. 20),

spread shackle to separate it from spring eye and

support bracket and remove spring. Remove rear

spring eye bushings.

5.
Remove upper spring pad cushion.

Installation

1.
Inspect spring eye bushings and spring pads for ex-

cessive wear or aging and replace as necessary.

Inspect spring rear shackles, front spring bracket

and eye bolt for bending or cracking and correct

where needed.

2.
Assemble spring rear shackle as follows:

a. All except Station Wagons (fig. 21).
Fig.
19—Removing Front Eye Bushings (Chevy II)

3.
' Fig. 20—Disassembling Rear Spring Shackle (Chevy II)

1.
Insert inboard rubber spring eye bushings into

i'ear spring eye and outboard shackle bushings

into shackle mounting bracket.

2.
Position spring and install shackle to spring

and mounting bracket with top nut toward out-

board of vehicle and bottom nut toward vehicle

centerline.

3.
Tighten nuts but-do not torque at this point,

b.
Station Wagon (fig. 22):

When installing shackle as in Step 2 above, top

nut should be toward centerline of vehicle and

bottom nut toward outboard of vehicle.

Insert inboard rubber bushing into front spring eye.

Fig.
18—Removing Lower Pad Bracket (Chevy II)
Fig.
21—Rear Spring Shackle Exploded View-All

Except Station Wagon (Chevy II)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

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
4-19

BRAKE BRAKE

DISC SHOE

OUTER

BEARII
-. -,
-«#*;>•
BRAKE

CAMPER

/

/ /

/ /

si—a

wC—
SPINDLE

^ SUPPOR1

BEARING

^ SPACER

INNER

" BEARING

DRIVE

" FLANGE

BEARING

-PRELOAD

SPACER

DEFLECTOR

CONTROL

ARM

Fig.
46-Wheel Spindle
and
Support Cross-Section (Corvette)

assembly is installed.

d. Pack outer bearing with a high-melting point

wheel bearing lubricant and position on spindle.

Large end of bearing should be toward shoulder

on spindle.

e. Press bearing on spindle using a bearing spacer

and Tool J-9436 as installers, as shown in Fig-

ure 50.

5. Pack spindle inner bearing with a high-melting point

-wheel bearing lubricant and position bearing in

spindle support - small end of bearing should be

positioned inward.

PRESS RAM

BEARING CUP
Fig.
48—Installing Spindle Bearing Cup (Corvette)

Fig.
49—Unseating Drive Spindle Outer Bearing (Corvette)

Fig.
47—Bearing Cup Removal (Corvette)
Fig.
50—Removing and Installing Drive Spindle

Outer Bearing (Corvette)

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