1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO suspension

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 4-16

J-21474-5 J-21474-1

J-21058-8 /__* A r-j-21474-2

Fig.
37-Control Arm Bushing Removal (Chevelle)

However, the lower control arm bushings are of a dif-

ferent rubber material and are not interchangeable with

the upper bushings. Replacement procedures are in-

dicated below.

1,
Replace the control arm installed bushings as

follows:

a. Position control arm in a vise, or other suitable

holding device, so that clamping action is against

closed section of control arm.

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

Adapter J-21474-2. Position puller screw through

small end of bushing then install Receiver

J-21474-5. Thrust Bearing and Nut J-21058-8

(in that order) onto puller screw. Install Spacer

J-21474-1 between sides of control arm and over

bushing so that spacer follows contour of bushing.

Refer to Figure 37 for installation of removal

tools.

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

sure Remover Adapter J-21474-2 is centered

and will clear hole in control arm.

d. Disassemble puller tools and position Installer

Adapter J-21474-2 on flanged end of new bushing.

Position Puller Screw J-21058-15 through in-

staller adapter and bushing; then place assembly

through hole in control arm.

NOTE:
Bushings are installed in one direction

only - flanged end of bushing seats against rolled

cutout side of control arm.

e. Install Receiver J-21474-5, Thrust Bearing, and

J-21058-15 J-21474-1
Fig.
39—Carrier Mounted Suspension Bushing

Removal (Light-Duty) (Chevelle)

Nut J-21058-8 (in that order) onto puller screw.

Install Spacer J-21474-1 between sides of control

arm and, over bushing so that spacer follows

contour of bushing. Refer to Figure 38 for in-

stalled view of tools.

f. Turn Iftit J-21058-8 to pull bushing into control

arm. Check position of bushing when installing

to make sure bushing is properly aligned. Seat

flanged end of bushing firmly against control

arm, but do not apply unnecessary force after

bushing is seated - to do so will distort control

arm.

2.
Replace the carrier mounted, upper control arm rear

bushing using the following procedure.

Light-Duty Carrier

a. Position Puller Adapter J-21474-2 on Puller

Screw J-21058-15 then place puller screw through

small end of bushing.

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

Thrust Bearing, and Nut J-21058-8 (in that order)

onto puller screw. Refer to Figure 39 for in-

stalled view of tools.

Fig.
38—Control Arm Bushing Installation (Chevelle)
Fag.
40—Carrier Mounted Suspension Bushing

Installation (Light-Duty) (Chevelle)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-17

Fig.
41—Carrier Mounted Suspension Bushing Removal

(Heavy-Duty) (Chevelle)

c. Turn Nut J-21058-8 to remove bushing from

carrier ear, making sure Remover Adapter

J-21474-2 is centered and will clear hole in

carrier ear.

d. Disassemble puller tools and position Installer

Adapter J-
21474-
2 on flanged end of bushing.

Install Puller Screw J-21058-15 through receiver

so that screw head is seated against receiver.

Position this assembly through inboard side of

carrier ear.

e. Position bushing and Installer Adapter J-21474-2

onto puller.screw with small end of bushing to-

ward carrier ear. Refer to Figure 40 for in-

stalled view of tools.

f. Install Thrust Bearing and Nut J-21058-8 onto

puller screw. Turn nut to pull bushing into car-

rier ear. Check position of bushing when install-

ing to make sure bushing is properly aligned.
b.

c.

d.
Fig.
43—Upper and Lower Control Arm Assembly

(Chevelle)

Heavy-Duty
Carrier

a. Install a 1/2 x 20 nut on Puller Screw J-21058-15,

install thrust bearing against nut. Position puller

screw through Bridge and Receiver J-21830-4

and 7.

Position puller screw through flanged end of

bushing then install Remover Adapter J-21991

on threaded end of puller screw.

Align tools on carrier ear and center remover

adapter on bushing. Hold head of puller screw

and turn 1/2 x 20 nut to withdraw bushing from

carrier ear. Refer to Figure 41 for installed

view of removal tools.

Position Installer J-21474-2 on flanged end of

new bushing and install Driver Handle J-7079-2

to opposite end of installer.

e. Position bushing in carrier ear and drive bush-

ing until it seats against carrier. Bushing is

properly seated when shoulder on bushing con-

tacts carrier. Refer to Figure 42 for installation.

NOTE:
Do not attempt to seat flange of bush-

ing against ear of carrier. Bushing is properly

installed when shoulder on bushing seats against

chamfer on carrier ear.

Installation

1.
Place control arm into position between the forward

and rearward mounting brackets and install retaining

bolts.
Refer to Figure 43 for installation view of

control arms.

Support vehicle at axle and remove supports from

beneath the frame side rails.

Install lock washer and nut to retaining bolts and
2.

3.

torque to specifications.

Fig.
42—Carrier Mounted Suspension Bushing Installation

(Heavy-Duty) (Chevelle)
REAR SUSPENSION TIE ROD-CHEVROLET

Removal

1.
Remove the nut, washer and bolt from the leftside

and the nut and washer from the stud on the right

side that secure the tie rod to the brackets (fig. 44).

Withdraw the rod from under the vehicle. An ex-

ternal shell service bushing is available for left side

on all models and both right and left on station

wagons.

NOTE:
The above operations need not be per-

formed on a hoist. However, to provide ample

working space, the use of a hoist or proper jack

stand is recommended.

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

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-22

Fig.
58—Removing Clamp Plate (Corvette)

2.
Place floor jack under spring at link bolt, and raise

spring until nearly flat.

3.
Wrap 1/4", or 5/16" chain with grab hook around

suspension crossmember and spring and hook chain

securely with grab hook. Secure chain to spring with

C ela rnp to prevent slipping (fig. 57).

CAUTION: Use 1/4" or 5/16" chain only with

a sate grab hoo^for this operation. Do not use

rope,
wiro, cable .or other method of retaining

spring.

4.
Lower jack to free link bolt and remove link bolt

cotter pin, nut and rubber cushions.
Fig.
60—Removing Center Boit (Corvette)

5.
Support and raise spring end as in Step 2 above,

remove chain when loose.

6. Carefully lower jack until spring tension is com-

pletely released.

7.
Repeat Steps 2-6 on other side.

8. Remove four bolts and washers securing spring

center clamp plate (fig. 58).

9. Drop spring and slide out from under vehicle (fig.

59).

Repairs

•1.
Clamp spring center section in vise and remove

. center bolt (fig. 60).

2.
Release vise, remove spring and separate leaves.

3.
Replace worn or damaged liners as necessary and

replace any broken leaves.

4.
Replace main leaf spring cushion retainers by

chiseling over flared portion until retainer may be

knocked out of
leaf.
Place new retainers into posi-

tion and flare over with a ball peen hammer or other

suitable tool.

5.
Insert drift into center bolt holes in leaves to align

spring leaves (fig. 61). Install center bolt and tighten

securely.

installation

1.
Place spring on carrier cover mounting surface,

indexing center bolthead with hole in cover.

Fig.
59—Lowering Spring (Corvette)

Fig.
61—-Aligning Spring Leaves (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL