1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO suspension

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 2
































This is an essential accessory for do-it
-yourself automotive repair. Each vehicle-
specific guide includes detailed informa tion and graphics to help you get your
car or truck back on the road. Included in most guides: step-by-step instructions
with detailed photographs and drawings, wiring diagrams, specification charts
and repair tips.

1. Body & Trim
2. Brakes
3. Chassis Electrical
4. Drive Train
5. Engine & Engine Overhaul
6. Engine Controls
7. Engine Performance and Tune-up
8. Fuel System
9. General Information & Maintenance
10. Suspension & Steering

Covers all U.S. and Canadian m odels of GM Camaro 1982-1992.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 26


Fig. 3: 1991-92 instrument panel
CAUTION - The 1991-92 vehicles are equipped with an Air Bag system. Proper
disarming of the system is necessary before proceeding with any disassembly
or repairs to the steering column, das h or electrical system or possible
deployment of the air bag might occur. Refer to Suspension & Steering for
disarming procedure.
1. Properly disable t he SIR air bag system, if equipped. Disconnect the
negative battery cable.
2. Remove the center console.
3. Remove the screws attaching the in strument panel pad to the instrument
panel.
4. Remove the daytime running light sens or electrical connector, if equipped.
5. Remove the instrument panel pad.
6. Remove the instrument panel sound insulators.
7. Remove the knee bolster and bracket.
8. Remove the instrument panel cluster.
9. Remove the steering column retaining nuts and lower the column.
10. Remove the upper and lower instrument panel to cowl screws.
11. Disconnect and remove the electric al harness at the cowl connector and
under dash panel.
12. Remove the instrument panel assembly.
To install:
13. Install the instru ment panel assembly.
14. Install the electrical harness at the cowl connector and under dash panel.
15. Install the upper and lower inst rument panel to cowl screws.
16. Install the steering column retaining nuts.
17. Install the instru ment panel cluster.
18. Install the knee bolster and bracket.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 48
BRAKES

BASIC OPERATING PRINCIPLES
Hydraulic systems are used to actuate t he brakes of all modern automobiles.
The system transports the power required to force the frictional surfaces of the
braking system together from the pedal to the individual brake units at each
wheel. A hydraulic system is used for two reasons.
First, fluid under pressure can be carried to all parts of an automobile by small
pipes and flexible hoses without taking up a significant amount of room or
posing routing problems.
Second, a great mechanical advantage can be given to the brake pedal end of
the system, and the foot pressure requi red to actuate the brakes can be
reduced by making the surface area of t he master cylinder pistons smaller than
that of any of the pistons in t he wheel cylinders or calipers.
The master cylinder consists of a flui d reservoir along with a double cylinder
and piston assembly. Double type master cylinders are designed to separate
the front and rear braking systems hydraulic ally in case of a leak. The master
cylinder coverts mechanical motion from t he pedal into hydraulic pressure within
the lines. This pressure is translated back into mechanical motion at th\
e wheels
by either the wheel cylinder (drum brak es) or the caliper (disc brakes).
Steel lines carry the brake fluid to a po int on the vehicle's frame near each of
the vehicle's wheels. The fluid is then ca rried to the calipers and wheel cylinders
by flexible tubes in order to allow for suspension and steering movements.
In drum brake systems, each wheel cylinde r contains two pistons, one at either
end, which push outward in opposite direct ions and force the brake shoe into
contact with the drum.
In disc brake systems, the cylinders ar e part of the calipers. At least one
cylinder in each caliper is used to fo rce the brake pads against the disc.
All pistons employ some type of seal, us ually made of rubber, to minimize fluid
leakage. A rubber dust boot seals the outer end of the cylinder against dust and
dirt. The boot fits around the outer end of the piston on disc brake calipers, and
around the brake actuating rod on wheel cylinders.
The hydraulic system operates as follows : When at rest, the entire system, from
the piston(s) in the master cylinder to t hose in the wheel cylinders or calipers, is
full of brake fluid. Upon app lication of the brake pedal, fluid trapped in front of
the master cylinder piston(s) is forced through the lines to the wheel cylinders.
Here, it forces the pistons outward, in the case of drum brakes, and inward
toward the disc, in the case of disc brakes. The motion of the pistons is
opposed by return springs mounted outside the cylinders in drum brakes, and
by spring seals, in disc brakes.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 73
To install:
9. Install the new line or hose, starti
ng with the end farthest from the master
cylinder. Connect the other end, then confirm that both fittings are correctly
threaded and turn smoothly using finger pressure. Make sure the new line
will not rub against any ot her part. Brake lines must be at least 1/2 in.
(13mm) from the steering column and other moving parts. Any protective
shielding or insulators must be rein stalled in the original location.
WARNING - Make sure the hose is NO T kinked or touching any part of the
frame or suspension after installation. These conditions may cause the hose to
fail prematurely.
10. Using two wrenches as bef ore, tighten each fitting.
11. Install any retaining clips or brackets on the lines.
12. If removed, install the wheel and tire assemblies, then carefully lower the
vehicle to the ground.
13. Refill the brake master cylinder re servoir with clean, fresh brake fluid,
meeting DOT 3 specifications. Pr operly bleed the brake system.
14. Connect the negative battery cable.

BLEEDING

Fig. 1: Caliper bleeding

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 91
Avoid inhaling any dust from
any brake surface! When cleaning brake surfaces,
use a commercially available brake cleaning fluid.
1. Remove the caliper by following instru ctions of caliper removal procedure.
2. Remove dust cap, cotter pin, castle nut, thrust washer and outside wheel
bearing. Pull the disc/hub assembly from the steering knuckle.
To install:
3. Position the disc/hub assembly to t he spindle/steering knuckle. Install the
outside wheel bearing, thru st washer and castle nut. Tighten the castle nut
until the bearing is s nug. Back off the nut
1/4 turn. Refer to Suspension &
Steering for details on wheel bearing remo val, installation, and adjustment.
Install a new cotter pin and dust cap.
4. Install the brake caliper.
INSPECTION

Fig. 6: Checking disc runout

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 293
4. Remove the torque arm from t
he vehicle as outlined under Rear
Suspension in
Suspension & Steering of this repair guide.
5. Mark the driveshaft and the rear ax le pinion flange to indicate their
relationship. Unbolt the rear universal joint straps. Lower the rear of the
driveshaft, being careful to keep the universal joint caps in place.
Withdraw the driveshaft from the transmission and remove it from the
vehicle.
6. Disconnect the speedometer cable a nd the electrical connectors from the
transmission.
7. Remove the exhaust pipe brace.
8. Remove the transmission shifter support attaching bolts from the
transmission.
9. On 4-speed transmissions only, disconnec t the shift linkage at the shifter.
10. Raise the transmission slight ly with a jack, then remove the
crossmember attaching bolts.
11. Remove the transmission mount atta ching bolts, then remove the mount
and crossmember from the vehicle.
12. Remove the transmission attachi ng bolts, then with the aid of an
assistant, move the transmission r earward and downward out of the
vehicle.
To install: 13. Apply a light coating of high temperature grease to the main drive gear
bearing retainer and to the splined por tion of the main drive gear. This
will assure free movement of the clutch and transmission components
during assembly.
14. Install the transmission and secu re with transmission mounting bolts
Torque transmission-to-clutch housing bo lts to 55 ft. lbs. (74 Nm).
15. Install the mount and cr ossmember into the vehicle, then install the
transmission mount attaching bolts. Torque both the mount-to-
crossmember bolts and t he mount-to-transmission bolts to 35 ft. lbs. (47
Nm).
16. Install the crossmember attach ing bolts. Torque the crossmember-to-
body bolts to 35 ft. lbs.
17. On 4-speed transmissions only, connect the shift linkage at the shifter and adjust the shift linkage.
18. Install the transmission shifte r support attaching bolts to the
transmission. Torque shifter bracket-to -extension housing to 25 ft. lbs.
(35 Nm).
19. Install the exhaust pipe brace.
20. Connect the speedometer cable and the electrical connectors to the
transmission.
21. Install the driveshaft into the tr ansmission. Then, align the marks on the
driveshaft and the rear axle pinion fl ange. Bolt the rear universal joint
straps.
22. Install the torque arm into the vehicle.
23. Fill the transmission wi th lubricant. Then install the filler plug and torque
to 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm).
24. Lower the vehicle.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 339

Fig. 1: Exploded view of the rear axle and rear suspension component mounting
5. Disconnect the upper control ar ms from the axle housing.
6. Lower the rear axle assembly. Remove the springs.
7. Continue lowering the rear axle asse mbly and remove it from the vehicle.
To install: 8. Position the rear axle assembly into place and install the springs.
9. Connect the upper control a rms to the axle housing.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 459
which could permit exhaust fumes to
seep into the passenger compartment.
Inspect all mounting brackets and hangers for deterioration, some models may
have rubber O-rings that can be ov erstretched and non-supportive. These
components will need to be replaced if fou nd. It has always been a practice to
use a pointed tool to poke up into the exhaust system where the deterioration
spots are to see whether or not they crumble. Some models may have heat
shield covering certain parts of the ex haust system , it will be necessary to
remove these shields to have the exh aust visible for inspection also.

Fig. 3: Make sure the exhaust co mponents are not contacting the body or
suspension