1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO suspension

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 813

Fig. 1: Vehicle hoisting and jacking points
Never place the jack under the radiator , engine or transmission components.
Severe and expensive damage wil l result when the jack is raised. Additionally,
never jack under the floorpan or body work; the metal will deform.
Whenever you plan to work under the v ehicle, you must support it on jackstands
or ramps. Never use cinder blocks or st acks of wood to support the vehicle,
even if you're only going to be under it for a few minutes. Never crawl under the
vehicle when it is supported only by the tire-changing jack or other floor jack.
Always position a block of wood or smal l rubber pad on top of the jack or
jackstand to protect the lifting point's finish when lifting or supporting the vehicle.
Small hydraulic, screw, or sci ssors jacks are satisfactory for raising the vehicle.
Drive-on trestles or ramps are also a handy and safe way to both raise and
support the vehicle. Be careful though, some ramps may be too steep to drive
your vehicle onto without scraping t he front bottom panels. Never support the
vehicle on any suspension member (unless specifically instructed to do so by a
repair manual) or by an underbody panel.
JACKING PRECAUTIONS
The following safety points cannot be overemphasized:
• Always block the opposite wheel or wheels to keep the vehicle from
rolling off the jack.
• When raising the front of the vehicle, firmly apply the parking brake.

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) 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.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 829
12. Fully tighten the lower bolts onl
y when the front suspension is on the
ground. Torque the steering knuckle-to-strut nuts to 125 ft. lbs. (170 Nm)
followed by a 120 degree turn. Do not exceed a final torque of 148 Ft.
lbs. (200 Nm).
13. Install the brake caliper
14. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
15. Lower the front of the vehicle.
16. From inside the engine compartm ent, tighten the upper strut to upper
mount nut to 44 ft. lbs. (60 Nm).
17. Have the front end aligned.
OVERHAUL
The OEM domestic struts are serviced by replacement of the entire unit. There
is no strut cartridge to replace.
LOWER BALL JOINT
INSPECTION
Before performing this inspection, make sure the wheel bearings are adjusted
correctly and that the control arm bushings are in good condition.
1. Jack the car up under the front lower control arm at the spring seat.
2. Raise the car until t here is 1-2 in. (25-51mm) of clearance under the
wheel.
3. Insert a bar under the wheel and pr y upward. If the wheel raises more
than
1/8 in. (3mm), the ball joints are worn. Determine if the lower ball
joint is worn by visual inspec tion while prying on the wheel.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: Lower ball joint replacement

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 838
REAR SUSPENSION

Fig. 1: Rear suspension (exploded view)