1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO lock

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-3

by means of a lower control arm inner pivot cam; on the

Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette by means of upper control

arm inner support shaft shims.

Caster angle is adjusted, on the Chevrolet and Chevy n

by means of a strut rod which runs from the lower con-

trol arm forward to a frame brace; on the Chevelle,
Camaro and Corvette by means of upper control arm

inner support shaft shims.

A stabilizer bar is used on all Chevelle and Corvette

models. Chevrolet Impalas, station wagons and V-8

engine equipped models are fitted with the stabilizer bar.

UPPER CONTROL ARM

STABILIZER

SPRING
LOWER CONTROL ARM

STEERING KNUCKLE

Fig.
3 - Front Suspension - Corvette

MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS

Maintenance intervals recommended for lubrication of

front suspension components have been fully covered in

Section 0 of this manual. Only actual adjustment proce-

dures will be covered here.

NOTE:
Unless otherwise indicated all proce-

dures will apply to all five vehicles covered in

this manual.

FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT

Proper front wheel bearing adjustment has a definite

bearing on the safe operation of a vehicle. Improperly

adjusted front wheel bearings will result in a lack of

steering stability causing wheel wander, shimmy and ex-

cessive tire wear. Very accurate adjustment is possible

because the spindles are drilled both vertically and hori-

zontally and the adjusting nuts are slotted in all six sides.

NOTE:
Wheel bearings should not
be.
repacked

or adjusted as a part of "New Car Conditioning".
1.
With wheel raised, remove hub cap and dust cap and

then remove the cotter pin from the end of the

spindle.

2.
While rotating wheel, tighten spindle nut to 12 lbs. ft

torque.

3.
Back off adjusting nut one flat and insert cotter pin.

If slot and pin hole do not line up, back off the adjust-

ing nut an additional 1/2 flat or less as required to

insert cotter pin.

4.
Spin the wheel to check that it rolls freely and then

lock the cotter pin by spreading the end and bending

it around.

NOTE:
Bearings should have zero preload and

.001"
to .008" end movement when properly ad-

justed on Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Cor-

vette; .000" to .004" on Chevy H.

5.
Install dust cap, hub cap or wheel disc and lower

wheel.

6. Perform the same operation on each front wheel.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-5

FRONT END ALIGNMENT

Front end alignment, that is alignment of the inter-

related steering components of the front suspension sys-

tem, must be correctly maintained to assure ease and

stability of steering and satisfactory tire life.

Alignment Preliminary Steps

Several different types of machines are available for

checking all the factors of front end alignment. The in-

structions furnished with each particular machine should

be followed. In all cases, however, checks should be

made with the vehicle level and at curb weight.

Since steering complaints are not always the result of

improper alignment a check should be made to see if any

of the following conditions exist. Any such conditions

should be corrected before proceeding further.

1.
Steering gear loose or improperly adjusted.

2.
Steering gear housing loose at frame.

3.
Excessive wear or play in spherical joints or steer-

ing shaft coupling.

4.
Tie rod or steering connections loose.

5.
Improper front spring heights.

6. Unbalanced or underinflated tires.

7.
Improperly adjusted wheel bearings.

8. Shock absorbers not operating properly.

Wheel alignment should always be made with the vehi-

cle rolled forward taking out any slack in the same man-

ner as when the vehicle is traveling forward.

Caster and Camber Adjustment

NOTE: Before adjusting caster and camber

angles, the front bumper should be raised and

quickly released to allow car to return to its

normal height.

Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette

Caster and camber adjustments are made by means of

shims inserted between the upper control arm inner sup-

port shaft and the support bracket attached to the frame

(fig. 6). Shims may be added, subtracted or transferred

to change the readings as follows:
Fig.
6 - Caster and Camber Adjustment - Chevelle

Typical of Corvette and Camaro

Caster - change shims at either the front or rear of

the shaft.

The addition of shims at the front bolt or removal

of shims at the rear bolt will decrease positive

caster. One shim (1/3 2") will change caster (ap-

prox.) 1/4°.

Camber - change shims at both the front and rear of

the shaft.

Adding an equal number of shims at both front and

rear of the support shaft will decrease positive cam-

ber. One shim (1/32") at each location will move

camber (approx.) 1/5° (Chevelle and Camaro); 1/6°

(Corvette).

TIGHTEN TO LOCK

ADJUSTMENT

Fig.
7 - Caster and Camber Adjustment Points - Chevrolet

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-6

Fig.
8 - Caster and Camber Adjustments - Chevy

To adjust for caster and camber, loosen the upper sup-

port shaft to crossmember nuts, add or subtract shims as

required and retighten nuts.

NOTE:
Caster and camber can be adjusted in

one operation.

Caster and camber specifications will be found in the

last section of this book.

Chevrolet and Chevy II

The caster angle is adjusted by turning the two niits at

the front of the lower control arm strut rod (figs. 7 and

8).
Shortening this rod will increase caster. Lengthen-

ing will decrease caster.

Camber angle is adjusted by loosening the lower con-

trol arm pivot bolt and rotating the cam located on this

pivot. This eccentric cam action will move lower control

arm in or out, thereby varying camber.

Steering Axis Inclination Adjustment

"Camber" is the outward tilt of the wheel and "steering

axis inclination" is the inward tilt of the knuckle. Cam-

ber cannot be changed without changing steering axis

inclination. Correct specifications willbe found at the

end of this section. If, with the camber correctly ad-

justed, the steering axis inclination does not fall within

the specified limits the knuckle is bent and should be

replaced.

If a new knuckle is installed, caster, camber and toe-in

must be readjusted.

Toe-In Adjustment

Toe-in, the inward pointing of both front wheels, is

checked with the wheels in the straight ahead position. It

is the difference of the distance measured between the

extreme front and the distance measured between the ex-

treme rear of both front wheels. Correct toe-in specifi-

cations will be found at the end of this section.
NOTE:
Toe-in must be adjusted after caster

and camber adjustment.

A. If the equipment being used measures the toe-in of

each wheel individually:

1.
Set the steering gear on the high point, mark 12

o'clock position on the steering shaft and position

the steering wheel for straight ahead driving.

2.
Loosen the clamp bolt at each end of each tie rod

and adjust to the total toe-in as given in the speci-

fications at the end of this book.

B.
If a tram gauge is being used, proceed as follows:

1.
Set the front wheels in the straight ahead position.

2.
Loosen the clamp bolts on one tie rod and adjust

for the proper toe-in as given in the specifications

at the end of this book.

3.
Loosen the clamp bolts on the other tie rod. Turn

both rods the same amount and in the same direc-

tion to place the steering gear on its high point and

position the steering wheel in its straight ahead

position.

C.
After the adjustment has been made:

1.
a. Chevrolet—Position inner tie rod clamp bosses

forward to 90° down to avoid stabilizer link bolt

interference.

b.
Chevelle—Position the tie rod clamp bosses

down to 45?° forward to avoid interference.

c. Chevy II--Position the outer tie rod clamp

bosses forward and not more than 45° up or

down from horizontal to avoid interference.

Inner clamps forward and vertical.

d. Corvette--Position inner tie rod clamps with

bolt horizontal and down. Position outer clamps

with bolt vertical and to the rear.

e. Camaro—Position inner tie rod clamps with

open end of clamp and slot in line. Position

relative to ground unimportant. Position outer

clamps with bolt top and 30° either side of ver-

tical. Position relative to slot unimportant.

RIDING HEIGHT AND COIL SPRING SAG

The following check will quickly determine whether or

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-10

CHEVROLET, CHEVELLE, CAMARO AND CORVETTE (TYPICAL)
CHEVY H

Fig.
14- Shock Absorber

NOTE:
If necessary, tighten one more notch to

insert cotter pins.

3.
Place brake backing plate and wheel cylinder in posi*-

tion on steering knuckle and insert anchor pin.

4.
Place steering arm in position on back of steering

knuckle and insert two bolts through backing plate,

steering knuckle and steering arm. Install locknuts

and tighten. (See Specifications.)

5. Torque brake anchor pin (See Specifications).

6. Install brake shoes, except Corvette. (See Section 5.)

7. Install wheel hub, brake drum (or, on Corvette--

brake caliper and disc and hub assembly), wheel and

tire assembly over spindle.

8. Insert outer wheel bearing race and roller assembly,

washer and nut. Adjust front wheel bearing as shown

under Maintenance and Adjustments in this section.

Install new cotter pin, dust cap and hub cap.

9. Lower vehicle, recheck and readjust wheel alignment

where necessary.

SHOCK ABSORBER

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Comoro and Corvette (Fig. 14)

Removal

1.
With an open end wrench hold the shock absorber

upper stem from turning, and then remove the upper

stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber grommet.

2.
Remove the two bolts retaining the lower shock ab-

sorber pivot to the lower control arm and pull the

shock absorber assembly out from the bottom.

Installation

1.
With the retainer and rubber grommet in place over

the upper stem, install the shock abosrber (fully ex-
tended) up through the lower control arm and spring

so that the upper stem passes through the mounting

hole in the upper support arm.

2.
Install the rubber grommet, retainer' and attaching

nut over the shock absorber upper stem.

3.
With an open end wrench, hold the upper stem

from turning and tighten the retaining nut. (See

Specifications.)

4.
Install the two bolts attaching the shock abosrber

lower pivot to the lower control arm and tighten.

(See Specifications.)

Fig.
15 - Upper Control Arm Support Installed - Chevy II

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-11

Chevy II (Fig. 14)

Removal

1.
While vehicle weight is still on front wheels, position

support between upper control arm and frame side

rail (fig. 15).

NOTE: Bight side control arm support bracket

is illustrated in Figure 15. For left side, angled

support should be welded to reverse side of

plate.

2.
Raise vehicle and remove wheel and tire.

3.
Disconnect lower shock absorber mounting nuts, lock

washers and rubber washers from lower spring seat.

4.
Remove shock absorber upper mounting bracket

bolts.
Lift bracket and shock absorber assembly

from vehicle (fig. 16).

5.
Remove shock absorber from upper mounting bracket

and remove rubber bushings and washers.

Installation

1.
Assemble upper washer and rubber bushing to shock

absorber rod (refer to Figure 14).

2.
Assemble upper mounting bracket, bushing, washer

and nut to rod. Torque according to Specifications at

the end of this book.

3.
Install rubber washers to shock absorber lower seat

studs and insert shock absorber and upper bracket

assembly into shock absorber access hole, and posi-

tion to the lower spring seat. Install washers, nuts

and torque according to Specifications at the end of

this book.

NOTE: Shock absorber seat upper washers

must correctly pilot into spring seat.

4.
Install upper mounting bracket to spring tower and

torque nuts according to Specifications at the end of

this book.

STABILIZER BAR (FIG. 17)

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle and support both front wheels.

2.
Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm.

Remove stabilizer bar brackets from the frame

(Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette) or from

the front crossmember (Chevy n) and remove

stabilizer.
Fig.
16 - Removing Shock Absorber and Bracket - Chevy II

3.

Disconnect stabilizer link bolts, spacers and rubber

bushings from lower control arms.

4.
Inspect rubber stabilizer link bushings and Stabilizer

insulator bushings for aging. Replace if necessary.

Installation

1.
If new insulators
are necessary, coat stabilizer with

recommended rubber lubricant and slide frame bush-

ings into position.

2.
Insert stabilizer brackets over bushings and connect

to frame. Do not torque at this point. Connect sta-

bilizer ends to link bolts on lower control arms.

Torque bracket bolts and link nuts as shown in the

Specifications.

NOTE: Never get lubricant on outside of frame

stabilizer bar bushings or they may slip out of

brackets.

STRUT ROD (FIG. 18)

Chevrolet and Chevy II

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle to

clearance.
provide sufficient working

TYPICAL OF

CHEVROLET, CHEVELLE AND CAMARO
BRACKET LINK BOLT

CORVETTE
CHEVY H

Fig.
17- Stabilizer Bar

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-12

2.
Remove forward nut, retainer and rubber bushing

from front end of strut rod.

3.
Remove two nuts from strut rod to lower control arm

bolts and remove bolts and washers.

4.
Withdraw strut rod from bracket.

5. Remove remaining rubber bushing, retainer, sleeve

and nut from strut rod.

6. Inspect rubber bushings for aging and replace if

necessary. *•

Installation

1.
Screw rear nu$ on forward end of rod and position it

approximately 3/4" from end of threads. Install

rear retainer, sleeve and bushing on rod so raised

pilot diameter faces forward.

2.
Insert strut rod in bracket so pilot diameter on bush-

ing pilots in hole in bracket. Install forward bushing

on sleeve so raised pilot diameter faces rear to

enter hole in bracket, then install forward retainer

and nut on rod.

3.
Attach strut rod to top of lower control arm with two

bolts,
washers and nuts.

4.
Lower vehicle to floor, check caster and camber

angles and adjust where necessary. Torque nuts as

shown in Specifications.

FRONT SPRING

Chevrolet

Removal

1.
With an open end wrench hold the shock absorber

upper stem from turning, and then remove the upper

stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber grommet.
I IVi" rVi"i

\>. j ii

>
I

5'4

s

WOOD
BLOCK
USED

WITH
CHEVROLET
ONLY

Fig.
19
- Spring Removal Tools - Chevrolet, Chevelle and Comoro

2.
With the car supported by the frame so that the con-

trol arms hang free, remove the wheel and tire as-

sembly (replace one wheel nut to retain the brake

drum),
shock absorber, stabilizer bar to lower con-

trol arm link, strut rod to lower control arm attach-

ing, nuts, bolts and lock washers and tie rod end.

3.
Scribe the position of the inner pivot camber adjust-

ing cam bolt and then remove the nut, lock washer

and outer cam.

4.
Install a steel bar (fabricated as shown in Figure 19)

through the shock abosrber mounting hole in the

lower control arm so that the notch seats over the

bottom spring coil and the bar extends inboard and

under the inner bushing. Fit a 5" wood block (See

Figure 19) between the bar and the bushing as shown

in Figure 20.

5.
With suitable jack or hoist, lift up slightly on the end

of the bar to remove the tension from the inner pivot

cam bolt, which can then be removed.

Fig.
18-Strut Rod

Pig. 20 - Front Spring Removal - Chevrolet

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION ,3-13

6. Carefully lower the inner end of the control arm.

Tension on the spring will be removed before the

spring can be removed from the vehicle.

7.
Remove the spring.

Installation

1.
With the suspension set up as in Step 2 of the disas-

sembly procedure, insert a block of wood between the

upper control arm and the spring tower to keep the

arm up out of the way.

2.
Set the spring in place on the crossmember after

checking on proper positioning necessary.

3.
Install the steel bar and wood block as shown in Fig-

ure 20 and lift the control arm up until the inner

pivot cam bolt can be installed. ,

4.
Install the outer cam and loosely install the lock

washer and nut

5.
Set the cam bolt on the mark scribed during the re-

moval procedure and hold in this position while tight-

ening the nut (See specifications at the end of this

book).

6. Replace the strut rod to lower control arm nuts,

bolts and lock washers, the stabilizer bar link, the

shock absorber, the tie rod end, and the wheel and

tire.

7.
Lower vehicle to floor and install the shock absorber

upper stem retaining nut retainer and grommet.

8. Check the camber adjustment.

Chevelle and Camaro

Removal

1.
With an open end wrench hold the shock absorber up-

per stem from turning, and then, remove the upper

stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber grommet.

2.
With the car supported by the frame so that the con-

trol arms hang free, remove the wheel and tire as-

sembly (replace one wheel nut to retain the brake

drum),
shock absorber, and stabilizer bar to lower

control arm link.
4.

5.
Fig.
21 - Front Spring Removal - Chevelle & Camaro

Place a steel bar (fabricated as shown in Figure 19)

through the shock absorber mounting hole in the

lower control arm so that the notch seats over the

bottom spring coil and the bar extends outboard be-

yond the end of the control arm and slightly toward

the front of the car.

With a suitable jack or hoist lift up slightly on the

end of the bar.

Remove the lower ball stud cotter pin and attaching

nut and remove the ball stud from the knuckle.

ALTERNATE METHOD

Fig.
22 - Removing or Installing Front Coil Spring - Corvette (Typical)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-14

Fig.
23 - Installing Spring Compressor - Chevy II

CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage

the seal during this operation.

6. Lower control arm as shown in Figure 21, until

spring can be removed.

Installation

1.
Properly position the spring on the arm and with the

steel bar in place, as shown in.Figure 21, lift the

arm up until the ball stud may be installed in the

knuckle. Install the nut and cotter pin.

NOTE:
^A block of wood between the upper con-

trol' arm and the frame will simplify this

operation.

2.
Replace the stabilizer bar link, shock absorber and

wheel and tire.

3.
Lower vehicle to floor and install the shock absorber

upper stem retaining nut, retainer and grommet.
Fig.
25 - Removing Spring and Seal Assembly - Chevy 11

ChevyiI

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle and remove wheel and tire.

2.
Support lower control arm with adjustable jackstand

and raise slightly from full rebound position.

3.
Remove shock absorber as outlined under Shock

Absorber -- Removal in this section (delete Step 1).

Fig.
24 - Compressing Front Spring - Chevy
Fig.
26 - Spring Seat - Exploded View - Chevy II

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL