1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO automatic transmission

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 782
10. Refill the engine with the correct amount
of fresh oil. Please refer to the
Capacities chart at the end of this section.
11. Check the oil level on the dipstick. It is normal for the level to be a bit
above the full mark. Start the engine and allow it to idle for a few
minutes.
CAUTION - Do not run the engi ne above idle speed until it has built up oil
pressure, as indicated w hen the oil light goes out
12. Shut off the engine and allow the oil to flow back to the crankcase for a
minute, then recheck the oil level. C heck around the filter and drain plug
for any leaks, and correct as necessary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS
FLUID RECOMMENDATIONS
• 1982-85 4-speed manual transmissi ons - SAE 80W/90 GL-5 gear
lubricant
• 1986-87 4-speed manual transmission - Dexron®®II automatic
transmission fluid
• 1982-84 5-speed manual transmissions - use SAE 80W/90 GL-5 gear
lubricant (SAE 80W GL-5 in Canada)
• 1985-92 5-speed manual transmissi ons - Dexron®II automatic
transmission fluid
LEVEL CHECK
The oil in the manual tr ansmission should be check ed every 12 months or
15,000 miles.
1. Raise the car and support on jackstands as close to level as possible. \
2. Remove the filler plug from the side of the transmission housing.
3. If lubricant begins to trickle out of the hole, there is enough and you need
not go any further. Otherwise, carefully insert your finger (watch out for
sharp threads) and check to see if the oil is up to the edge of the hol\
e.
4. If not, add oil through the hole until the level is at the edge of the hole.
Most lubricants come in a plasti c squeeze bottle with a nozzle; making
additions simple.
5. Install and tighten the filler plug.
DRAIN AND REFILL
The fluid in the manual transmission do es not require changing. If you do
choose to change the transmission fluid, the fluid can be drained out through
the lower drain plug hole on the side of the transmission. Fill the transmission
with the recommended lubricant to the bottom of the filler plug hole and install
the filler plug.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 783
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID RECOMMENDATIONS
Use only Dexron®II Automati
c Transmission Fluid.
LEVEL CHECK

Fig. 1: Read automatic transmission flui d level on dipstick and add, as required
Check the automatic transmission fluid le vel at each oil change. Driving with too
much or too little transmission fluid ca n damage the transmission. The dipstick
can be found in the rear of the engine compartment. The fluid level should be
checked only when the transmission is at normal operating temperature. If your
Camaro has been driven at highway speeds fo r a long time, in city traffic in hot
weather, or pulling a trailer, wait for about 30 minutes for the fluid to cool down
so a correct reading can be read.
1. Park the car on a level surface, with the parking brake on. Start the
engine and let it idle for about 15 minutes. Move the transmission
through all the gears and then back to P.
2. Remove the dipstick and carefully touch the wet end of the dipstick to see if the fluid is cool, warm, or ho t. Wipe it clean and then reinsert it
firmly. Be sure that it has been pushed all the way in. Remove the
dipstick again and check the fluid leve l while holding it horizontally.
a. If fluid is cool (room temper ature), the level should be about
1/8-3/8
in. (3-10mm) below the ADD mark.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 784
b. If fluid is warm, the le
vel should be close to the ADD mark, either
above or below.
c. If fluid is too hot to touc h, the level should be at the FULL mark.
3. If the fluid level is low, add Dexr on®II automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
through the dipstick tube. This is eas ily done with the aid of a funnel.
Check the level often as you are f illing the transmission. Be extremely
careful not to overfill it. Overfilling will cause slippage, seal damage and
overheating. Approximately 1 pint (0.473L) of ATF will raise the fluid level
from one notch/line to the other.
If the fluid on the dipstick appears discolored (brown or black), or smells burnt,
serious transmission troubles, probably due to overheating, should be
suspected. The transmission should be inspected by a qualified technician to
locate the cause of the burnt fluid.
DRAIN AND REFILL
Please refer to the "PAN AND FILTER SERVICE" procedure listed in this
section.
PAN AND FILTER SERVICE

Fig. 2: Typical automatic transmiss ion oil pan and oil filter assembly.

Fig. 3: Automatic transmission oil pan bolt and conical washer assembly

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 785
The automatic transmission fluid and fi
lter should be changed every 15,000
miles (24,000km) if your Camaro is driven in heavy city traffic in hot weather, in
hilly or mountainous terrain, frequent trailer pulling, or uses such as found in
taxi, police car or delivery service. If your Camaro is driven under other than
listed above conditions, change the fl uid and filter every 30,000 miles
(48,300km).
1. Raise and support the car on jackst ands. Place an oil catch pan under
the transmission.
2. Remove the oil pan bolts fr om the front and sides only.
3. Loosen rear oil pan bolts approximately 4 turns.
WARNING - Do not damage the transmission case or oil pan sealing surfaces.
4. Lightly tap the oil pan with a rubber mallet or gently pry it downward to
allow fluid to drain.
5. Remove the remaining oil pan bolt s, then remove the oil pan and pan
gasket.
6. Remove the filter and seal.
7. Clean the transmission case and oi l pan gasket surfaces with suitable
solvent and air dry. Make sure to re move all traces of the old gasket.
To install: 8. Coat the seal with a sm all amount of Transjel®.
9. Install the new s eal onto the filter.
10. Install the new filter into the case.
11. Install the oil pan and new gasket.
On 1991 and later vehicles, inspect t he oil pan screws and washer assemblies.
The screws must not be used if the coni cal washer is reversed. Failure to
replace the screw and washer assembly may result in improper fastening of
system components.
12. Install the oil pan bolts and tighten them to 12 ft. lbs. (16 Nm).
13. Lower the car.
14. Fill the transmission to proper level with Dexron®II fluid.
15. Check cold fluid level reading fo r initial fill. Do not overfill the
transmission.
16. Follow the fluid level che ck procedure described before.
17. Check the oil pan gasket for leaks.

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) 857
6. Remove the bolts attaching the toe plate to the cowl.
7. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
8. Remove the capsule nuts attachi
ng the steering column support bracket
to the instrument panel.
9. Disconnect the park lock cable from the ignition switch inhibitor, if
equipped with automatic transmission.
10. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
To install:
If a replacement steering column is bein g installed, do not remove the anti-
rotation pin until after the steering co lumn has been connected to the steering
gear. Removing the anti-rotation pin before the steering column is connected to
the steering gear may dam age the SIR coil assembly.
11. Position the steering column in the vehicle.
12. Connect the park lock cable to the ig nition switch inhibitor on vehicles
with automatic transmission.
13. Install the capsule nuts attaching the steering column support bracket to
the instrument panel and tighten to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm).
14. Install the nut and bolt to the upper intermediate shaft coupling attaching
the upper intermediate shaft to the steer ing column. Tighten the nut to 44
ft. lbs. (60 Nm).
15. Install the bolts attaching the toe pl ate to the cowl and tighten to 58 inch
lbs. (6.5 Nm).
16. Connect the electrical connectors.
17. Remove the anti-rotation pin if a se rvice replacement steering column is
being installed.
18. Install the knee bolster and bracket, if equipped.
19. Install the sound insulator panel.
If SIR coil has become uncentered by turni ng of the steering wheel without the
column connected to the st eering gear, follow the proper adjustment procedure
for the SIR coil assembly before proceeding.
20. Install the steering wheel.
21. Connect the negative battery cable.
22. Enable the SIR system as follows: a. Connect the yellow 2-way SIR harness connector to the base of
the steering column and CPA clip and install the SIR fuse.
b. Install the left sound insulator.
c. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position and verify that the
inflatable restraint indicator fl ashes 7-9 times and then turns OFF.
If the indicator does not respond as stated, a problem within the
SIR system is indicated.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 871
6. Refill the pump with fluid and
bleed by turning the pulley
counterclockwise (viewed from the front). Stop the bleeding when air
bubbles no longer appear.
7. Install the pump belt on the pulley and adjust the tension.
SYSTEM BLEEDING 1. Fill the reservoir with power steering fluid.
The use of automatic transmission flui d in the power steering system is NOT
recommended.
2. Allow the reservoir and fluid to sit undisturbed for a few minutes.
3. Start the engine, allow it to run for a mome nt, then turn it off.
4. Check the reservoir fluid level and add fluid if necessary.
5. Repeat the above steps until the fluid level stabilizes.
6. Raise the front of the vehicle so that the wheels are off of the ground.
7. Start the engine and increase t he engine speed to about 1500 rpm.
8. Turn the front wheels right to le ft (and back) several times, lightly
contacting the wheel stops at the ends of travel.
9. Check the reservoir fluid level. Add fluid as required.
10. Repeat step 8 until the fluid leve l in the reservoir stabilizes.
11. Lower the vehicle and repeat steps 8 and 9.