1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO wheel

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 4-7

tioned vertically in the torque arm before ap-

plying pressure to the puller screw.

5.
Remove shim and bearing spacer from spindle

support.

6. Note size of shim used. If dial indicator reading

was more than
.008",
select a shim thinner by the

amount needed to bring end play within limits. If

dial indicator reading was less than
.001",
select a

shim thicker by the amount needed to bring end play

within limits.

NOTE: Shims are available in thicknesses from

.097"
to .148" in increments of
.003".

EXAMPLE: Bearing end play reading obtained

on dial indicator was
.011",
.003" over limit.

Bearing shim removed from spindle measures

.145".
New shim installed measures .139", .006"

smaller. End play is now decreased by .006" and

is
.005",
which is within the .001" to .008" limit.

7.
After determining shim thickness, install bearing

spacer and shim on spindle. Position spindle in

spindle support.

8. Press inner bearing race and roller assembly on

spindle as follows.

a. Position Tool J-4731 over spindle and against

bearing inner race.

b.
Position washer and spindle nut on spindle and

proceed to tighten nut until bearing is forced on

spindle sufficiently to allow spindle drive flange

to be installed (fig. 13). Remove spindle nut,

washer and Tool
J-4731.
Discard nut and use a

new one for final assembly.

9. Position drive flange over spindle, making sure

flange is aligned with spindle splines. Install washer
Fig.
13—Installing Drive Spindle to Support (Corvette)

and nut on spindle then tighten nut to specifications

and install cotter pin. If specified torque does not

permit cotter pin insertion, tighten nut to next flat.

10.
Seat spindle support outer seal in bore by using

screw driver, or other suitable tool, to press against

metal portion of seal.

11.
Install brake disc and caliper. Refer to Section 5

for details of brake disc and caliper installation.

12.
Install axle drive shaft, wheel and tire assembly,

adjust camber cam to original position and torque

all components to specifications.

COMPONENT PARTS REPLACEMENT

(Chevrolet, Chevelle, Chevy II and Camaro)

COIL SPRING

Chevrolet

Removal

To remove either or both rear coil springs proceed

as follows.

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and place jack stands under

frame. Support vehicle weight at rear, using either

a jack or post of twin-post hoist under axle.

2.
Remove both rear wheels from vehicle.

3.
With the car supported as in Step 1, so that the rear

springs are compressed by weight of vehicle; per-

form the following:

a. Disconnect both rear shock absorbers from the

anchor pin lower attachment.

b.
Loosen the upper control arm(s) rear pivot bolt

(do not remove the nut).

C. Loosen both the left and the right lower control

arm rear attachment (do not disconnect from axle

brackets).

d. Remove the rear suspension tie rod from the

stud on the axle tube.

4.
At the lower seat of both rear coil springs, slightly

loosen the nut on the bolt that retains the spring and

seat to the control arm. When the nut has been

backed off the maximum permissible, all threads of
the nut should still be engaged on the bolt.

CAUTION: Under ,no condition should the nut,

at this time, be removed from the bolt in the

seat of either spring.

5.
Slowly lower the support (jack or hoist post) that has

been in place under the rear axle, thereby allowing

the axle to swing down, carrying the springs out of

their upper seat and providing access for spring

removal.

6. Remove the lower seat attaching parts from each

spring, then remove the springs from the vehicle

(fig. 14).

Installation

1.
Position the springs in their upper seat so that end

of top coil is 3/8" ± 1/8" from end of stop. Install

the lower seat parts on the control arm, with the nut

finger tight on the spring retainer bolt.

NOTE: Omit the lock washer under the special

high carbon bolt, so that sufficient bolt thread

will be available to start the nut. The lock

washers will be installed later (in Step 4).

2.
By alternately raising the axle slightly and then

re-snugging the nut on each spring lower seat bolt,

move the axle upward until vehicle weight is fully

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-8

Fig.
14—Coil Spring Installation (Chevrolet)

supported on the jack. With the spring now com-

pressed to approximately curb height, positively

position the springs in the lower seats by torquing

the nut on the lower seat bolt (fig. 15).

Re-connect shock absorbers, torque rear attach-

ment of upper and lower control arms, and re-

connect the axle tie rod at proper torque.

With the rear of vehicle still supported by jack under

axle;
remove the nut from the lower seat bolt of one

Fig.
15—Installing Coil Spring to Lower Control Arm (Chevrolet)
Fig.
16—Coil Spring Installation (Chevelle)

rear spring, slide proper lock washer on the bolt

and reinstall the nut to proper torque. Similarly

install a lock washer at the lower seat of the other

rear spring.

5.
Install rear wheels and lower vehicle to floor.

Chevelle

Removal

The following procedure may be utilized to replace

either or both rear coil springs.

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

bly to hang freely, and position supports under both

frame side rails.

2.
Support axle assembly with an adjustable lifting

device, and disconnect shock absorber at axle

bracket. Shock absorber on side opposite need not

be disconnected if only one spring is being removed.

Refer to Shock Absorber Removal procedures out-

lined in this section.

3.
Lower axle assembly until suspension reaches end

of travel; then pry lower% pigtail over vertical re-

tainer on axle bracket and remove spring and insula-

tor from vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position rubber insulator on end of spring, making

sure that end of pigtail is butted against stop in

insulator. Install insulator and spring in upper

spring seat so that insulator is properly indexed

against stop (fig. 16).

2.
Pry lower pigtail portion of spring over vertical

flange of the axle bracket spring seat.

3.
Raise axle to allow shock absorber installation.

Position shock absorber in axle bracket. Torque nut

as outlined in Shock Absorber Installation

procedures.

4.
Lower vehicle and check rear riding height.

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 4-18

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
4-19

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

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