1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO differential

SECTION
4

REAR SUSPENSION
AND
DRIVE LINE

CONTENTS
OF
THIS SECTION

Page

Rear Suspension
4-1

Drive Line.
. 4-26

Rear Axle ......
4-26
Propeller Shaft
and
Universal Joints

Special Tools
4-37

4-43

REAR SUSPENSION

INDEX

General Description
4-1

Chevrolet
4-1

Chevelle
4-1

Chevy
n and
Camaro
. . . . . 4-2

Corvette
. . . . . . 4-3

Maintenance
and
Adjustments ...............
4-4

Riding Height Check (Chevrolet, Camaro,

Chevelle
and
Chevy
II) 4-5

Wheel Alignment (Corvette)
4-5

Wheel Bearing Adjustment (Corvette)
4-6

Component Parts Replacement (Chevrolet, Camaro,

Chevelle
and
Chevy
JJ) 4-7

Coil Spring
4-7

Chevrolet
4-7

Removal
4-7

Installation
4-7

Chevelle
4-8

Removal
4-8

4-8

Installation
.

Leaf Spring, Spring Seat Pads, Spring
Eye

Bushings
4-9

Chevy
H 4-9

Removal
4-9

Installation
4-9

Camaro
4-10

Removal
4-10

Installation
4-11

Shock Absorber
4-11

Chevrolet
and
Chevelle
. 4-11

Removal
4-11

Installation
. . 4-12

Chevy
II 4-12

Removal
4-12

Installation
4-rl2

Camaro
4-12

Removal
. 4-12

Installation
4-12

Control
Arm . . 4-12

Chevrolet Upper
4-12

Removal
. 4-12
Page

Bushing Replacement
. 4-13

Installation
4-14

Chevrolet Lower
4-14

Removal
4-14

Bushing Replacement
4-14

Installation
. 4-15

Chevelle Upper
and
Lower.
. 4-15

Removal
4-15

Bushing Replacement
4-15

Installation
4-17

Rear Suspension
Tie Rod
(Chevrolet)
. . .
......
. . . 4-17

Removal
4-17

Bushing Replacement
4-17

Installation
4-17

Component Parts Replacement (Corvette)
. . 4-17

Wheel Spindle
and
Support
4-17

Removal
4-17

Repairs
', . 4-17

Installation
4-18

Differential Carrier Support Bracket Replacement.
. 4-20

Shock Absorber
4-20

Removal
4-20

Installation
* .... 4-20

Strut
Rod and
Bracket
4-20

Removal
4-20

Repairs
4-21

Installation
4-21

Spring
4-21

Removal
4-21

Repairs
4-22

Installation
4-22

Torque Control
Arm 4-23

Removal
4-23

Repairs
. 4-23

Installation
4-24

Suspension Crossmember
4-24

Removal
4-24

Repairs—Isolation Mount
4-25

Installation
4-25

Stabilizer Shaft Replacement
4-25

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

CHEVROLET

The link type rear suspension (fig. 1) has two lower

control arms which maintain proper axle to frame re-

lationship and also take the acceleration, drive and

braking forces. A single upper control arm on light-

duty models (or two upper control arms on heavy-duty

models and all station wagons) limits axle rotation when

drive, acceleration or braking forces are applied. Lateral

movement of the axle is restricted by the axle-to-frame

tie rod. Two full coil springs and two direct, double
acting shock absorbers are provided for additional ride

control.

CHEVELLE

The rear suspension (fig. 2) is of the four-link design

utilizing axle mounted, full coil springs and direct,

double-acting shock absorbers.

Two rubber-bushed lower control arms, stretching

slightly outboard from axle-mounted brackets to frame

side member mounted brackets, maintain fore and aft

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-2

SHOCK ABSORBER

UPPER ATTACHMENT

COIL SPRING

\

R.H. UPPER

CONTROL ARM

LH.
UPPER

CONTROL ARM

(HEAVY DUTY AND

STATION WAGON)
TIE ROD

ATTACHMENT

SHOCK ABSORBER

LOWER ATTACHMENT

LOWER

CONTROL ARM

Fig.
1—Chevrolet Rear Suspension Components

relationship of the axle assembly to the vehicle proper.

These lower control arm axle brackets also mount the

axle rebound bumpers and provide for lower attachment

of the shock absorber. Upper attachment of the shock

absorber is a platform mount to the rear of the coil

spring frame bracket. The coil springs are pigtailed

at both ends; the upper end is isolated from the frame

seat by a rubber insulator, while the lower end seats

on the axle mounted spring bracket which has a vertical

flange to retain the spring.

Sideways movement of the axle assembly is controlled

by two angularly mounted, rubber-bushed upper control

arms.
Projecting ears, cast as part of the differential
carrier, provide for rear attachment and frame cross-

member mounted brackets retain them at the forward

end.

CHEVY 11 AND CAMARO

The.Chevy n and Camaro rear suspension (fig. 3 and

fig.
4) consists of two uniformly stressed rear springs

and two shock absorbers mounted to the spring lower

seats.
The
.
springs are rubber mounted at both axle

and frame attaching points, thus insuring uniform spring

loading, minimizing transmittal of road vibration to

passenger compartment, and providing a pivot point to

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ABSORBER ^HH^ SPRING
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_ LOWER

feSfcto^
CONTROL
ARM

Fig.
2—Chevelle Rear Suspension Components

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION
AND
DRIVE LINE
4-3

AXLE ASSEMBLY
LEAF SPRING

SPRING REAR SHACKLE

SHOCK ABSORBER

Fig.
3—Chevy
II
Rear Suspension Components

absorb axle "wind-up.
The
springs
are
positioned
to
the*

axle spring seats
by
locating pins butt welded
to
the

spring
leaf.
CORVETTE

The Corvette independent three-link type rear
sus-

pension consists
of a
fixed differential carrier which
is

SPRING REAR SHACKLE

LEAF SPRING

SHOCK ABSORBER

SPRING FRONT MOUNT

Fig.
4—Comoro Rear Suspension Components

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE
4-4

PROPELLER SHAFT

CARRIER FRONT SUPPORT
CAMBER CAM CONTROL ARM

Fig. 5—Corvette Rear Suspension and Driveline Components

rubber mounted to the frame at three points, with the .

strut rods, drive shafts and torque control arms forming

the three links at each wheel, and a transversely mounted

multi-leaf spring (fig. 5).

The bbx section trailing torque control arms are

mounted at the forward end into frame side member

openings through pivot bolts and rubber bushings, and

extend rearward to connect to the leaf spring. The

wheel spindles and spindle supports are attached to the

torque arms through four bolts pressed into the arm.

Rear wheel toe-in angle is adjusted through the use of

variable thickness shims inserted between the torque

arm and the frame side member web at the forward

pivoting joint.

The rear wheel spindles are driven through double

"U"
jointed, tubular driveshafts which are flange mount-

ed to a splined spindle flange at their outboard end and

bolted to the differential side gear yokes at their in-

board end. Wheel spindle support houses the inner and

outer tapered roller bearings, two to each wheel. Bear-

ing adjustment is made through the use of a spacer and

variable thickness shims between the bearings.

The spindle supports also incorporate integrally
forged, fork-shaped mounting brackets to accept the

outer ends of the rubber-bushed strut rods. The strut

rods are mounted laterally from the spindle support to

a bracket bolted to the lower surface of the axle car-

rier. The strut rod connection at this point is with an

eccentric cam arrangement and provides for rear wheel

camber adjustment.

The direct, double-acting shock absorbers are at-

tached at the upper eye to a frame bracket and at the

lower eye to the strut rod mounting shaft which incor-

porates a threaded stud for. the shock absorber lower

eye.

The transversely mounted multi-leaf spring is clamp

bolted at the center section to a lower mounting surface

on the differential carrier cover. The outer ends of the

main leaf are provided with a hole through which the

spring is link bolted to the rear of the torque control

arms.
The spring assembly is provided with full length

liners.

An optionally available stabilizer shaft attaches to the

upper rear section of the torque arms, and stretches

rearward where it is connected to the frame by two

rubber-bushed mounting brackets.

MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS

Periodic maintenance and adjustments are not required

for the rear suspension components. The suspension

system should be checked for shock absorber action,
condition of suspension bushings, tightness of suspension

attaching bolts and an overall visual inspection of com-

ponents for defects.

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 4-24

4

i*
5

Fig.
65—Removing Bushings (Corvette)

4.
Lightly oil new bushing diameters (not rubber por-

tion) and start bushings squarely in arm.

5. Install Tool J-7055-1 as shown in Figure 66 and

press bushings into place.

6. When bushings are fully installed, place special

plate over flared portion of new bushing retainer

and insert retainer into bushing.

7. Out of 5/8" thick steel plate 1-1/2" wide make flar-

ing tool support to the dimensions shown in Figure

67 and drill clearance holes as shown for 2
—
1/2"

bolts.

8. Place fabricated back-up plate on flared end of bush-

ing retainer and assembly Tool J-8111-23 to plate

with 2-1/2" bolts 5" long. Make sure threaded hole

in J-8111-23 is centered over unflared end of bushing

retainer and that chambered retainer plate is cen-

tered over retainer tube.

9. Lightly oil pointed end of J-8880-5 screw and thread

into J-
8111-23
until pointed "end contacts bushing

retainer. Continue threading J-8111-23 until retainer

is flared (fig. 68).

Installation

1.
Place torque arm in frame opening.

2.
Place toe-in shims in original position on both sides

of torque arm, install pivot bolt and tighten but do

not torque at this point.
Fig.
67—Flaring Tool Back-Up Plate (Corvette)

3.
Raise axle drive shaft into position and install to

drive flange. Torque bolts to specifications.

4.
Raise strut rod into position and insert strut rod

shaft so that flat lines up with flat in spindle sup-

port fork. Install nut and torque to specifications.

5. Install shock absorber lower eye and tighten nut

to specifications.

6. Connect spring end as outlined under Spring-

Bistallation, Steps 3-6'.

NOTE:
If vehicle is so equipped, connect sta-

bilizer shaft to torque arm - refer to "Sta-

bilizer Shaft Replacement".

7. Install brake disc and caliper, wheel and tire and

lower vehicle. Tighten torque arm pivot bolt. Bleed

brakes as outlined in Section 5-Brakes.

SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

Removal

1.
Disconnect and remove spring as outlined under

Spring-Removal.

2.
Remove differential carrier assembly as outlined

under Differential Carrier-Removal in this section.

3.
Support crossmember, remove bolts securing

crossmember isolation mounts to frame and lower

crossmember (fig. 69).

Fig.
66—Installing Bushings (Corvette)
Fig.
68—Flaring Retainer (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-25

Fig.
69—Removing Crossmember (Corvette)

4.
Remove bolts securing carrier cover to cross-

member.

5.
Inspect rubber isolation mounts for aging and re-

place where necessary.

Repairs—Isolation Mount

1.
Bend back isolation mount tabs to allow mount re-

moval (fig. 70).

2.
Place crossmember on a suitable support and press

mount out of arm using a piece of suitable size pipe

or tubing on outer shell or inner insert.

3.
Place new mount into position on crossmember,

compress outer sleeve and press mount into place

until it is fully and squarely seated.

4.
After installation, bend over locking tabs.

Installation

1.
Install carrier cover to crossmember and torque

bolts to specifications.

2.
Raise crossmember into position and install mount-

ing bolts. Torque bolts to specifications.

3.
Install differential carrier assembly as outlined

under Differential Carrier
-
Installation in this

section.

4.
Install wheels and tires, remove frame supports and

lower vehicle.

STABILIZER SHAFT REPLACEMENT

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support at frame side rail

with stand jacks.

2.
Disconnect stabilizer shaft at both torque arms (fig.

71).
Remove stabilizer shaft brackets from the

frame and withdraw assembly from vehicle.
ISOLATION MOUNT

CROSSMEMBER

BEND OVER TABS AFTER INSTALLATION

Fig.
70—Crossmember Mount Cross-Section (Corvette)

3.
Inspect bushings for signs of deterioration, and in-

spect shaft for bends, breaks or other defects - do

not attempt to straighten shaft - replace parts as

deemed necessary.

4.
Position bushings on shaft and loosely install shaft

to torque arms and at frame brackets.

5.
Align shaft to assume proper placement when bolts

are torqued, and torque attaching bolts to

specifications.

Fig.
71—Stabilizer Shaft Installation (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION
AND
DRIVE LINE
4-26

DRIVE LINE

REAR AXIE

INDEX

Page

General
Description
4-26

Chevrolet,
Camaro,
Chevelle
and
Chevy
II 4-26

Corvette
4-26

Maintenance
and
Adjustments
4-27

Lubricant
4.37

Lubricant'
Leaks
4_27

Axle Bolts
and
Wheel
Nuts
4-27

Rear Axle Noise
Diagnosis
4-29

Gear Noise
4_29

Bearing
Noise
4-29

Failure
Analysis
4^9

Hypoid
Gears
4..3Q

Differential Gears. 4_30

Bearings
....'.
4.30

Component Parts Replacement

(Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy n ..... 4.30

Axle Assembly ,. . 4_30

Removal 4 30

Installation * ' 4 3Q
Axle Shaft . . . 4-31

Removal 4-31

Wheel Bolt Replacement 4-31

Oil Seal and/or Bearing Replacement. 4-31

Brake Flange Plate Replacement 4-31

Installation 4-32

Pinion Flange, Dust Deflector and/or

Oil Seal Replacement 4-32

Component Parts Replacement (Corvette) 4-34

Axle Driveshaft .- 4-34

Removal 4-34

Repairs 4-34

Installation. . 4-34

Pinion Flange, Dust Deflector and/or Oil Seal. .... 4-35

Removal 4-35

Inspection . 4-35

Installation .- 4-35

Differential Carrier 4-36

Removal 4-36

Installation 4-36

Positraction Differential Unit-On the Vehicle Check . . 4-37

\

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

CHEVROLET, CHEVELLE, CHEVY
I! AND
CAMARO

The rear axle
(fig. 72) is a
semifloating, fabricated

construction type consisting
of a
cast carrier with large

bosses
on
each
end
into which
two
welded steel tubes

are fitted.
The
carrier contains
an
overhung hypoid

pinion
and
ring gear.
The
differential
is a
two pinion

arrangement.

The axle housing
is
made up
of
two steel welded tubes

pressed into
the
crossbore
of the
cast carrier
-
each

tube
is
puddle welded
at
three places
to the
carrier.

Welded-on brackets provide attachment points
for

Chevelle springs,; shock absorbers,
and
lower control

arms.
Chevrolet models have welded-on brackets
for

control arms,
tie
rod, and shock absorbers. The housing

on Chevy II and Camaro has welded brackets
for
mounting

lower spring
pad
and shock absorber.
A
welded flange
is

provided
for
brake flange plate attachment.

The overhung hypoid drive pinion
is
supported
by
two

preloaded tapered roller bearings.
The
pinion shaft
is

sealed
by
means
of a
molded, spring loaded, rubber seal.

The seal
is
mounted
on the
pinion shaft flange which
is

splined and bolted
to
the hypoid pinion shaft.

The hypoid ring gear
is
bolted
to a
one-piece differen-

tial case which
is
supported
by two
preloaded tapered

roller bearings.

CORVETTE

The Corvette rear axle
is of the
type where
the dif-
ferential carrier housing enclosing
the
differential
and

hypoid gears
is
supported
on a
crossmember mounted
to

the chassis frame.
The
differential
is
connected through

universal joints
to the
drive shafts
and
wheels
(fig. 73).

The internal components
of the
carrier
are of
conven-

tional design, incorporating
a
hypoid gear
set
with
an

overhung pinion supported
on two
pre-loaded, tapered

roller bearing assemblies,
and a
two-pinion differential

assembly supported
on
tapered roller bearings. Pinion

mounting distance adjustments
are
made through the
use

of shims,
as are the
differential bearing pre-load
and

backlash adjustments.
The
differential side gears drive

two splined yokes which
are
retained laterally
by
snap

rings located on the yoke splined end. The yokes
are
sup-

ported on caged needle bearings pressed into
the
carrier,

adjacent
to the
differential bearings.
A
lip seal, pressed

in outboard
of
the bearings, prevents
oil
leakage and dirt

entry.
The
carrier cover
is
bolted
to the
carrier and

provides accessibility
to the
internal parts.
The
cover

incorporates two integral, reinforced mounting pads which

serve
as the
carrier attaching point
to the
suspension

crossmember,
and an
attaching point
for the
spring

center section. The filler plug
is
located on the right side

of the cover near the bolting flange.

All service operations allow carrier removal without

removing
the
carrier cover. Cover removal
is
not nec-

essary
in any of the
service procedures except
in
the

case
of
complete carrier housing replacement,
as the

carrier and cover
are
serviced
as
an assembly.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL