1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO Chassis Workshop Manual

SECTION
9

STEERING

CONTENTS
OF
THIS SECTION

Standard Steering
9-1

Power Steering
9-33

Special Tools
9-40

STANDARD STEERING

INDEX

Page

General Description 9.x

Maintenance and Adjustments 9.1

Adjustments
........................
9-2

Steering Gear 9-2

Steering Wheel Alignment and Higji

Point Centering. . . . 9-4

Toe-in Adjustment 9-4

Corvette Steering Ratio . . . . 9-4

Component Replacement and Repairs . . . . 9-4

Steering Wheel . . . 9-4

Regular Production 9-4

Simulated Wood . . . . 9-5

Corvette Telescoping 9-5

Steering Coupling . 9-6

Steering Gear . 9-9

Sector Shaft Seal Replacement 9-10

Steering Column 9-10

Removal 9-10

Disassembly—Syncromesh Column 9-12
Page

Assembly—Syncromesh Column . . 9-14

Disassembly—Column Mounted Powerglide

Lever or Floor Shift Column 9-16

Assembly-^Column Mounted Powerglide

Lever or Floor Shift Column g_x7

Disassembly—Tilt Column 9-19

Assembly—Tilt Column 9-21

Disassembly—Standard Corvette Column 9-23

Assembly—Standard Corvette Column 9-25

Disassembly—Corvette Telescoping Column .... 9.26

Assembly—Corvette Telescoping Column 9-27

Installation 9.27

Steering Linkage 9.29

Tie
Rods.
. 9-29

Relay Rod . . 9-31

Idler Arm . . . . 9-31

Pitman Arm. . 9-32

Steering Arms • • • • 9-32

Steering Damper 9-32

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The regular production steering gear
is the
recirculat-

ing ball type. This gear provides
for
ease
of
handling
by

transmitting forces from worm
to
sector gear through

ball bearings.
The
steering linkage
is of
the relay type,

and extended interval lubrication design, with the pitman

arm connected
to one end of
the relay
rod. The
other
end

of
the
relay
rod is
connected
to an
idler
arm
which
is

connected
to the
frame side rail opposite
the
steering
gear.
Two
adjustable
tie
rods connect
the
relay
rod to

the steering arms.

All passenger
car
models
for 1967 are
equipped with

new energy absorbing steering columns.
The
mast jacket,

shift tube,
and
steering shaft
are
designed
to
collapse

under various front impact conditions.
All new
columns

are
of
this design, including
the
tilt option and telescope

option.

MAINTENANCE
AND
ADJUSTMENTS

The manual steering gear
is
filled
at the
factory with
a

water resistant grease. Seasonal change
of
this lubrica-

tion
is
unnecessary and
the
housing should
not be
drained.

The steering gear lubricant level should
be
checked every

36,000 miles. Whenever required, additions should
be

made using
a
water resistant
EP
chassis lubricant.

Check and fill steering gear
as
follows:

1.
Remove lower
and
outboard cover retaining screws

(fig.
1).
2.
Insert filling device
in
lower screw hole.

3.
Inject lubricant until
it
appears
in
outboard screw

hole; gear
is now
filled
to
correct level.

The steering linkage should
be
lubricated with water

resistant
EP
chassis lubricant every 6,000 miles
or six

months, whichever occurs first. Lubrication points
and

additional information
on the
chassis lubricant
to be
used

can
be
found
in
Section
0 --
General Information
and

Lubrication.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-2

Fig.
1—Cover
Attaching Bolts—Chevy li Shown

ADJUSTMENTS

STEERING
GEAR

Before any adjustments are made to the steering gear

in an attempt to correct such conditions as shimmy,

loose or hard steering etc., a careful check should be

made of front end alignment, shock absorbers, wheel

balance and tire pressure for possible cause.

Correct adjustment of the steering gear is very im-

portant. Perform adjustments following the sequence

listed below,

1.
Remove pitman arm nut and mark relation of pitman

arm position to sector shaft. Remove pitman arm

with Tool J- 6632 as shown in Figure 2.

2.
Loosen the pitman shaft lash adjuster screw locknut

and turn the adjuster screw a few turns in a counter-

clockwise direction (fig. 3). This removes the load
Fig. 2—Removing Pitman Arm

imposed on the worm bearings by the close meshing

of rack and sector teeth. Turn steering wheel gently

in one direction until stopped by gear, then back away

about one turn.

CAUTION: Do not turn steering wheel hard

against stops when steering relay rod is discon-

nected as damage to ball guides may result.

3.
All except Corvette and telescopic columns:

a. Disconnect steering column harness at chassis

wiring connector plug.

b.
Remove horn cap or ornament and using an inch

pound torque wrench and socket on steering wheel

nut, measure torque required to keep the wheel

in motion.

LASH ADJUSTER

SCREW

LOCK NUT

WORM BEARING

ADJUSTER
\

WORM

ADJUSTER

Fig.
3—Steering Gear Adjustment Points

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-3

Fig.
4-Checking Wheel PuI!-Corvette

c. If torque does not lie within limits given in speci-

fications at rear of manual, adjustment is

necessary.

4.
Corvette and telescopic columns:

a. Use Tool J-5178 to measure.pull at rim of wheel

required to keep wheel in motion (fig. 4).

b.
If pull does not lie within limits given in specifi-

cations in rear of manual, adjustment of worm

bearings is necessary.

NOTE:
If vehicle is equipped with a tilt steer-

ing column, it will be necessary to disconnect

the steering coupling to obtain a torque reading

of the steering column. This torque should then

be subtracted from any reading taken on the

gear.

5. To adjust worm bearings, loosen worm bearing ad-

juster locknut and turn worm bearing adjuster shown

in Figure 3 until there is no perceptible end play in

worm. Check pull at steering wheel, readjusting: if

necessary to obtain proper pull. Tighten locknut and

recheck pull. If the gear feels "lumpy" after adjust-

ment of worm bearings, there is probably damage in

the bearings due to severe impact or to improper

adjustment and the gear must be disassembled for

replacement of damaged parts.

6. After proper adjustment of worm is obtained and all

mounting bolts securely tightened, adjust lash ad-

juster screw. First turn the steering wheel gently

from one stop all the way to the other, carefully

counting the total number of turns. Then turn wheel

back exactly half way, to center position. Turn lash

adjuster screw clockwise to take out all lash in gear

teeth, and tighten locknut. Check pull at steering

wheel taking highest reading as wheel is turned

through center position. See specifications in rear of

manual for proper sector lash adjustment. Readjust

if necessary to obtain proper pull.
NOT MORE THAN

T/a INCH FROM

CENTERLINE

Fig.
5—Steering Wheel Alignment

NOTE:
If maximum specification is exceeded,

turn las£ adjuster screw counterclockwise, then

come up on adjustment by turning the adjuster in

a clockwise motion.

7. Tighten locknut then recheck pull, as it must lie be-

tween specified readings.

Fig.
6—Adjusting Steering Ratio—Corvette

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-4

8. Reassemble pitman arm to sector shaft, lining up

marks made during disassembly. Refer to torque

specifications at rear of manual for correct torque

value.

9. Install horn cap or ornament and connect steering

column harness at chassis connector.

NOTE:
Chevy.n models are equipped with a

shim at the frame to steering gear mounting

bolts.
Shims may be removed or installed as

required for proper steering gear alignment.

STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND

HIGH POINT CENTERING

1.
Set front wheels in straight ahead position. This can

be checked by driving vehicle a short distance on a

flat surface to determine steering wheel position at

which vehicle follows a straight path.

2.
With front wheels set straight ahead, check position

of mark on wormshaft designating steering gear high

point. This mark should be at the top side of the shaft

at 12 o'clock position and lined up with the mark in

the coupling lower clamp.

3.
If gear has been moved off high point when setting

wheels in straight ahead position, loosen adjusting

sleeve clamps on both left and right hand tie rods,

then turn both sleeves an equal number of turns in

the same direction to bring gear back on high point.

CAUTION: Turning the sleeves an unequal
number of turns or in differential directions will

disturb the toe-in setting of the wheels.

4.
Readjust toe-in as outlined in Section 3 (if necessary).

5. With wheels in a straight ahead position and the

steering gear on highpoint, check the steering wheel

alignment by measuring the distance from each hori-

zontal spoke to the horizontal centerline of the

steering wheel (fig. 5). If the horizontal spokes are

over 1-1/8 inches from the horizontal position the

wheel should be removed and centered. (See steering

wheel removal in this section.)

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT

Adjust the steering linkage for proper toe-in setting as

outlined in Section 3.

CORVETTE STEERING RATIO (Fig. 6)

The Corvette steering ratio may be changed as follows:

CAUTION: Do not use the rearward hole in the

steering arm with power steering equipment or

interference may result.

1.
Remove tie rod ball stud nut at steering arm and

disconnect tie rod from steering arm.

2.
Move tie rod end to forward hole for 17.6:1 ratio

(fast ratio) or rear hole for 20.2:1 ratio (standard

ratio).

3.
Install tie rod stud nut and tighten securely. Repeat

operation on opposite steering arm.

COMPONENT REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS

STEERING WHEEL

REGULAR PRODUCTION (Fig. 7)

Removal

1.
Disconnect steering column harness from chassis

wiring harness at connector (fig. 8).

2.
Pull out horn button cap or center ornament and

retainer.

3.
Remove three screws from the receiving cup.

4.
Remove the receiving cup, belleville spring, bushing,

and pivot ring.

5. Remove the steering wheel nut and washer.

6. Using Tool J-2927, install centering adapter on

steering shaft, thread puller anchor screws into

threaded holes provided in steering wheel. Turn

center bolt of tool clockwise to remove steering

wheel (fig. 9).

Installation

CAUTION: Direction signal control assembly

must be in "neutral position when assembling

steering wheel to prevent damage to cancelling

cam and control assembly.

1.
With directional cancelling cam and horn contact as-

sembly in place, set wheel onto steering shaft.
Fig. 7—-Regular Wheel and Horn Attachments

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-5

Fig.
8—Steering Column Wiring Connector

Secure with washer and nut. Refer to torque speci-

fications at rear of manual for correct torque values.

Install belleville spring (with dish of spring up), pivot

ring, bushing and receiving cup with screws.

Install retainer and horn button cap or center

ornament.

Connect steering column harness to chassis wiring

connector.

Fig.
9—Removing Steering Wheel with J-2927
Fig.
10—Simulated Wood Steering Wheel and Attaching Parts

SIMULATED WOOD (Fig. 10)

Removal

1.
Disconnect steering column harness from chassis

wiring harness at connector.

2.
Remove horn cap assembly by pulling up.

3.
Remove contact assembly attaching screws and re-

move contact assembly.

NOTE:
If steering wheel only is to be replaced,

perform step 4. If directional signal cancelling

cam is to be replaced, omit step 4 and proceed

with steps 5 and 6.

4.
Remove remaining screws from steering wheel and

remove wheel from hub assembly.

5. Remove steering wheel nut and washer.

6. Using Tool J-2927, install centering adapter on

steering shaft, thread puller anchor screws into

threaded holes provided in hub assembly. Turn

center bolt of tool clockwise to remove hub

assembly.

Installation

CAUTION: Directional signal control assembly

must be in neutral position when assembling hub

assembly to prevent damage to cancelling cam

and control assembly.

1.
With directional cancelling cam and horn contact in

place, install hub assembly on steering shaft. Secure

with washer and nut. Refer to torque specifications

at rear of manual for correct torque value.

2.
Attach steering wheel to hub assembly using the six

attaching screws and tighten securely.

3.
Place horn contact on steering wheel and attach with

three screws. Tighten securely.

4.
Snap horn button in place.

5. Connect steering column harness to chassis wiring

connector.

CORVETTE TELESCOPING (Fig. 11)

Removal

1.
Disconnect steering column harness at wiring

connector.

2.
Pry off horn button cap.

3.
Remove three screws securing horn contact to spacer

and hub.

4.
Remove two screws securing lock screw to lock

knob,
and remove lock screw, lock knob, and spacer.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-6

Fig.
11
—Corvette Telescoping Wheel Option

5.

7.
NOTE:
If steering wheel only is to be replaced,

perform Step 5 below only. If directional signal

cancelling cam is to be replaced, omit Step 5

and proceed with Steps 6 and 7.

Remove six screws securing steering wheel to hub

and remove wheel.

Remove nut and washer from shaft and using steering

wheel puller Tool J-2927, remove steering wheel and

hub from vehicle.

Slide cancelling cam and spring off shaft.

Installation

NOTE:
Refer to torque specifications at rear of

manual for correct torque values.

1.
If necessary, slide cancelling cam and spring on end

of shaft.

2.
If hub was removed from steering wheel, attach hub

to steering wheel with screws removed during dis-

assembly.

3.
Place steering wheel and hub assembly in position

and secure to column with washer and nut.

4.
Position spacer on steering wheel.
5. Position lock knob on steering wheel.

6. Install lock screw through lock knob, turn into shaft,

and adjust to lock position.

7. Attach spacer to wheel with three screws.

8. Place lock knob in lock position and attach to lock

screw with two screws.

9. Remove three screws holding spacer. Attach horn

contact to spacer and steering wheel with three

screws.

10.
Install horn button cap.

11.
Connect steering column harness at chassis plug.

STEERING COUPLING (Fig. 12)

Removal

NOTE:
Chevy n models are equipped with a

clamp arrangement rather than the conventional

"rag joint" steering coupling. Refer to Steering

Gear - Chevy II, for service procedures.

1.
Remove nuts and washers securing steering coupling

to flanged end of steering column (fig. 12).

2.
Remove coupling clamp bolt (fig. 12) and slightly

spread coupling clamp.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-7

Fig.
12-Steering Coupling

3.
Disconnect transmission controls from levers at

bottom of column, if so equipped.

4.
Inside vehicle, remove trim cover or boot, pro-

tective covers, and seal from dash panel as shown

in Figure 13. On Corvette models the covers are re-

moved in the engine compartment side. Also on

Corvette models, remove screws securing escutcheon

(fig. 14) to instrument panel.

5. Disconnect Steering column harness and back-up

lamp/neutral safety switch at connector plugs.

Fig.
13—Removing or Installing Dash Panel Covers and Seal

Fig.
14—Steering Column Escutcheon—Corvette

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-8

DIAL

UPPER COVER

FASTENER

CHEVROLET
SCREW

CHEVELLE

Fig.
15—Powerglide Indicator Connection—Chevrolet and Chevelle

6.
Chevrolet and Chevelle only:

a. Remove lower mast jacket cover (fig. 15).

b.
If vehicle is equipped with Powerglide, remove

indicator pointer wire by removing screw from

six o'clock position at bottom of mast jacket (fig.

15).
Work indicator wire out of position and

remove.

Remove instrument panel column mounting bracket

attaching hardware and remove bracket.

CAUTION: Do not allow steering column to

hang down from dash panel area or distortion to

column will result. When instrument panel

mounting bracket is removed, be sure column is

supported in its normal position.

NOTE:
The following step requires two men,

one in the driver's seat and one at engine

compartment.

8

Lift steering column upward enough to permit re-

moval of steering coupling from steering gear.

Mechanic at engine compartment can pilot column

shift levers, if so equipped, through dash panel open-

ing as column is listed. If it is necessary to leave

the vehicle at this point, place steering column in

correct mounted position and loosely install instru-

ment panel mounting bracket to support column.

9. Remove steering coupling from vehicle.

Installation

1.
Lift steering column enough to provide clearance and

loosely install steering coupling on steering gear

shaft. Be sure column is supported in its normal

mounted position at all times when not moving for

clearance. Mechanic at engine compartment can

pilot column shift levers through dash panel opening

as column is moved.

2.
Slide steering coupling into correct installed position

and install clamp bolt (fig. 12).
3.
Secure steering coupling to flanged end of steering

column with washers and nuts. Maintain coupling ad-

justment shown in Figure 16.

4.
Install instrument panel column mounting bracket.

Refer to torque specifications at rear of manual for

correct torque values.

5. Chevrolet and Chevelle only:

a. If vehicle is equipped with Powerglide, work shift

indicator pointer wire into position on column and

secure with screw at six o'clock position at bot-

tom of mast jacket (fig. 15).

b.
Install mast jacket lower cover (fig. 15).

6. Connect steering column harness at connector plug.

Connect back-up lamp/neutral safety switch plug, if

so equipped.

7. Inside vehicle, install seal, protective covers, and

trim cover or boot (fig. 13). On Corvette models the

' covers are installed in the engine compartment side.

8. Connect transmission controls to shift levers at

bottom of column if so equipped.

CHEVROLET

CHEVELLE

CORVETTE
CAMARO

Fig.
16—Steering Coupling Clearance Adjustment

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL