1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO Repair Guide

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 817
SUSPENSION & STEERING

SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEELS
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
• Park the vehicle on a level surface.
• Remove the jack, tire iron and, if nec essary, the spare tire from their
storage compartments.
• Check the owner's manual or refer to General Information & Maintenance
of this repair guide for the jacking poi nts on your vehicle. Then, place the
jack in the proper position.
• If equipped with lug nut trim caps, remo ve them by either unscrewing or
pulling them off the lug nuts, as appr opriate. Consult the owner's manual,
if necessary.
• If equipped with a wheel cover or hub c ap, insert the tapered end of the
tire iron in the groove and pry off the cover.
1. Apply the parking brake and block the diagonally opposite wheel with a
wheel chock or two.
Wheel chocks may be purchased at your lo cal auto parts store, or a block of
wood cut into wedges may be used. If possi ble, keep one or two of the chocks
in your tire storage compartment, in case any of the tires has to be removed on
the side of the road.
2. If equipped with an automatic transmi ssion, place the selector lever in P
or Park; with a manual transmission, place the shifter in Reverse.
3. With the tires still on the ground, use the tire iron/wrench to break the lug
nuts loose.
If a nut is stuck, never use heat to loosen it or damage to the wheel and
bearings may occur. If the nuts are seized, one or two heavy hammer blows
directly on the end of the bol t usually loosens the rust. Be careful, as continued
pounding will likely damage the brake drum or rotor.
3. Using the jack, raise the vehicle unt il the tire is clear of the ground.
Support the vehicle safely using jackstands.
4. Remove the lug nuts, then remove the tire and wheel assembly.
To install:
5. Make sure the wheel and hub mating su rfaces, as well as the wheel lug
studs, are clean and free of all foreign material. Always remove rust from
the wheel mounting surfac e and the brake rotor or drum. Failure to do so
may cause the lug nuts to loosen in service.
6. Install the tire and wheel asse mbly and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
7. Using the tire wrench, tighten all the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, until
they are snug.
8. Raise the vehicle and withdraw the jackstand, then lower the vehicle.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 818
•

Using a torque wrench, tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to 100
ft. lbs. (140 Nm) for 1982-85 vehicles with aluminum wheels, 80 ft. lbs.
(110 Nm) for 1982-85 vehicles with st eel wheels, 80 ft. lbs. (110 Nm) for
1986-91 vehicles or 100 ft. lbs. (140 Nm) for 1992 vehicles. Check your
owner's manual or refer to General Information & Maintenance of this
repair guide for the proper tightening sequence.

Fig. 1: Typical wheel lug tightening sequence
WARNING - Do not overtighten the lug nuts, as this may cause the wheel studs
to stretch or the brake disc (rotor) to warp.
• If so equipped, install the wheel cover or hub cap. Make sure the valve
stem protrudes throu gh the proper opening bef ore tapping the wheel
cover into position.
• If equipped, install the lug nut trim caps by pushing them or screwing
them on, as applicable.
• Remove the jack from under the v ehicle, and place the jack and tire
iron/wrench in their storage compartment s. Remove the wheel chock(s).
• If you have removed a flat or damaged tire, place it in the storage
compartment of the vehicle and take it to your local repair station to have
it fixed or replaced as soon as possible.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 819
INSPECTION
Inspect the tires for lacerations, puncture
marks, nails and other sharp objects.
Repair or replace as necessary. Also check the tires for treadwear and air
pressure as outlined in General Information & Maintenance of this repair guide.
Check the wheel assemblies for dents, crac ks, rust and metal fatigue. Repair or
replace as necessary.
WHEEL LUG STUDS
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
WITH DISC BRAKES
1. Raise and support the appropriate end of the vehicle safely using
jackstands, then remove the wheel.
2. Remove the brake pads and caliper. Support the caliper aside using wire
or a coat hanger. For details, please re fer to Brakes of this repair guide.
3. Remove the outer w heel bearing and lift off the rotor. For details on
wheel bearing removal, installation and adjustment, please refer to
General Information & Maintenan ce of this repair guide.
4. Properly support the rotor using pre ss bars, then drive the stud out using
an arbor press.
If a press is not available, CAREFULLY drive the old stud out using a blunt drift.
MAKE SURE the rotor is properly and ev enly supported or it may be damaged.

Fig. 1: View of the rotor and stud assembly

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 820

Fig. 2: Pressing the stud from the rotor
To install: 5. Clean the stud hole with a wire br ush and start the new stud with a
hammer and drift pin. Do not use any lubricant or thread sealer.
6. Finish installing t he stud with the press.

Fig. 3: Use a press to install the stud into the rotor

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 821
If a press is not availabl
e, start the lug stud through the bore in the hub, then
position about 4 flat washers over t he stud and thread the lug nut. Hold the
hub/rotor while tightening the lug nut, and the stud should be drawn into
position. MAKE SURE THE STUD IS FU LLY SEATED, then remove the lug nut
and washers.
7. Install the rotor and adjust the wheel bearings.
8. Install the brake caliper and pads.
9. Install the wheel, then remove the jackstands and carefully lower the
vehicle.
10. Tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque.
WITH DRUM BRAKES 1. Raise the vehicle and safely su pport it with jackstands, then remove the
wheel.
2. Remove the brake drum.
3. If necessary to provide clearance, re move the brake shoes, as outlined in
Brakes of this repair guide.

Fig. 4: Exploded view of t he drum, axle flange and stud

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 822

Fig. 5: Use a C-clamp and socket to press out the stud

Fig. 6: Force the stud onto the axle flange using washers and a lug nut
4. Using a large C-clamp and socket, pre ss the stud from the axle flange.
5. Coat the serrated part of the stud with liquid soap and place it into the
hole.
To install: 6. Position about 4 flat washers over the stud and thread the lug nut. Hold
the flange while tightening the lug nut, and the stud should be drawn into
position. MAKE SURE THE STUD IS FULLY SEATED, then remove the
lug nut and washers.
7. If applicable, install the brake shoes.
8. Install the brake drum.
9. Install the wheel, then remove the jackstands and carefully lower the
vehicle.
10. Tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 823
MACPHERSON STRUT FR
ONT SUSPENSION

Fig. 1: MacPherson strut front suspension

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 824
1982-92 Camaros are equipped wit
h a front suspension consisting of a pivoting
lower control arm on which are mounted a coil spring and a MacPherson strut.
The strut and spring are separate. The spring upper end bears on a fixed
crossmember; the strut upper end is loca ted in a strut tower on the fender.
COIL SPRINGS
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: Removing the coil spring
1. Raise the front of the vehi cle and support it on jackstands.
2. Remove the road wheel(s).
3. Disconnect the stabilizer link from the lower control arm.
4. If the steering gear hinders remova l procedures, detach the unit and
move it out of the way.