brake CHEVROLET CAMARO 1967 1.G Chassis User Guide

SECTION
3

FRONT SUSPENSION

INDEX

Page

General Description
. . . . 3-1

Maintenance and Adjustments
3-3

Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment
3-3

Front End Alignment
3-5 .

Alignment Preliminary Steps ............
3-5

Caster
and
Camber Adjustments
. . 3-5

Chevelle, Caxnaro
and
Corvette
3-5

Chevrolet and Chevy
II 3-6

Steering Axis Inclination
3-6

Toe-in Adjustment
3-6

Cornering Wheel Relationship
3-6

Riding Heigit
and
Coil Spring Sag
3-7

Repair Procedures
3-8

Front Brake Drum (Chevrolet, Camaro, Chevelle,

Chevy E)
. . 3-8

Removal
3-8

Installation
3-8

Front Wheel Hub
3-8

Replacement
. . . . . 3-8

Replacement
of
Hub Wheel Bolts
3-8

Front Wheel Bearings
. . 3-8

Removal
3-8

Inspection
3-9

Repairs
. . 3-9

Replacement
of
Bearing Cups
3-9

Installation
3-9

Steering Knuckle
. . . 3-9

Removal
3-9

Installation
3-9

Shock Absorber
3-10

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro
and

Corvette
3-10

Removal
, . 3-10

Installation
3-10

Chevy
It 3-11

Removal
3-11

Installation
3-11

Stabilizer
Bar 3-11

Removal
3-11

Installation
3-11

Strut Rod
3-11

Chevrolet and Chevy
II 3-11

Removal
3-11

Installation
3-12

Front Coil Springs
3-12

Chevrolet
3-12

Removal
3-12

Installation
3-13

Chevelle
and
Camaro
3-13

Removal
3-13

Installation
3-14

Chevy H
3-14

Removal
3-14

Spring Seat Disassembly and Assembly
3-15

Installation
3-15

Corvette
3-15

Lower Control Arm Spherical Joint
.' 3-16

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and

Corvette
3-16

Inspection
. 3-16

Chevrolet and Corvette
3-16

Removal
3-16

Installation
3-16
Page

Chevelle
and
Camaro
3-17

Removal
3-17

Installation
. . . . 3-17

Chevy
II 3-17

Inspection
. 3-17

Removal
3-17

Installation
3-17

Lube Fittings
3-18

Lower Control Arm
. . . . 3-18

Chevrolet
. 3-18

Removal
3-18

Installation
3-18

Chevelle and Camaro
3-18

Removal
3-18

Installation
3-18

Chevy H
3-18

Removal
3-18

Installation
3-19

Corvette
3-19

Removal
3-19

mstallation
3-19

Lower Control Arm Bushings
3-20

Chevrolet
3-20

Removal
3-20

Installation
3-20

Chevelle and Camaro
. 3-20

Removal
3-20

Installation
3-20

Chevy H
3-21

Removal
* 3-21

InstaEation
3-21

Cross Shaft and/or Bushings
. 3-21

Corvette
3-21

Removal
3-21

Installation
3-21

Upper Control Arm Spherical Joint
3-21

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette
..... 3-21

Inspection.
3-21

Replacement
3-21

Chevy
II 3-21

Inspection
3-21

Replacement
3-21

Lube Fittings
3-22

Upper Control Arm
3-22

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro
and
Corvette
3-22

Removal
3-22

Installation
3-22

Chevy H
3-22

Removal
3-22

Installation
3-23

Upper Control Arm Cross Shaft

and/or Bushings
3-23

Chevrolet, Camaro and Chevelle
3-23

Removal
. 3-23

Installation
3-23

Chevy H
3-24

Removal
3-24

Installation
. . . 3-25

Corvette
3-25

Removal
3-25

Installation
3-25

Special Tools
3-26

Specifications
...'..'
At rear of Book

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The 1967 Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro, Chevy n and

Corvette front suspension systems are basically similar,

being of the
S.L.A.
(short-long arm) type with independent

coil springs. In the Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and

Corvette the springs ride on the lower control arms; in
the Chevy II the springs ride on the upper control arms.

Spherical joints connect the upper and lower arms to the

steering knuckle. Tapered roller wheel bearings are

used.

Camber angle is adjusted, on the Chevrolet and Chevy n

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANIM

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-8

REPAIR PROCEDURES

Unless otherwise indicated all repair procedures will

apply to all five vehicles covered in this manual.

CAUTION: During any operations which in-

clude breaking the ball stud loose from the

knuckle boss extreme care must be used to as-

sure that the ball stud seal is not damaged or

cut. A recommended way to loosen the stud is to

place a flat bar stock against the knuckle boss

and strike the bar rather than the knuckle.

FRONT BRAKE DRUM-CHEVROLET, CAMARO,

CHEVELLE, CHEVY It

Removal

1.
Remove hub caps, partially loosen wheel nuts and

raise vehicle from floor. Remove wheel nuts and

wheel.

2.
Remove brake drum. In some cases it may be nec-

essary to back off brake adjustment because of

scored drum or unevenly worn brake linings.

3.
Check brake drum for concentricity, damaged pilot

diameter or scored braking surface. Lightly sand

braking surface and wipe clean.

Installation

1.
Install drum over hub bolts making sure alignment

dowel on drum web indexes with hole in wheel hub.

This will assure proper drum alignment with hub

bolts and hub pilot diameter.

2.
Install wheel and partially tighten wheel nuts.

3.
Re-adjust brake shoes to original setting. It may be

necessary to re-adjust brake shoes on both front

and/or rear wheels to assure balanced brake adjust-

ment. See Section 5 for brake adjustment procedure.

4.
Lower vehicle to floor, tighten hub wheel nuts and in-

stall hub cap.

FRONT WHEEL HUB

Replacement

1.
Remove hub caps, break loose the wheel stud nuts
VM" DIA. PIPE OR ARBOR

>l

INNER CUP

OUTER CUP
JL
RADIUS

e^

Fig.
10 - Pressing Front Hub Bolts (Typical)
Fig.
11 - Front Wheel Bearing Cop Removers

and raise vehicle. Remove wheel nuts, wheel and

tire and brake drum or (on Corvette) brake caliper

and brake disc.

NOTE:
On the Corvette, the hub and brake disc

are serviced as a complete assembly.

2.
Pry out hub grease cap, cotter pin, spindle nut and

washer,
and
remove hub. Do not drop wheel bearings.

3.
Reverse this procedure to install.

Replacement of Wheel Hub Bolts

It may be necessary to replace damaged wheel hub

bolts.
In this case, service the hub in the following

manner.

1.
Remove the hub bolts with a press or hammer.

These bolts are not peened into the hub. Do not

damage wheel mounting surface on hub flange.

2.
Install new serrated bolt into hole in
hub.
Tap lightly

with a hammer to start bolt serrations in hole, mak-

ing sure that bolt is square with hub flange.

3.
Press bolt into flange until head is fully seated

against hub flange (fig. 10).

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS

Removal '

1.
Remove wheel hub as described above.

NOTE: Discard cotter pin. Install new cotter

pin when assembling.

2.
Remove outer roller bearing assembly from hub with

fingers. The inner bearing assembly will remain in

the hub and may be removed after prying out the

inner bearing lip seal assembly. Discard seal.

3.
Wash all parts thoroughly in cleaning solvent and

blow dry.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-9

Inspection

1.
Check bearings for cracked separators or worn or

pitted rollers and races.

2.
Check brake drum for
out-of-
round or scoring.

3.
Check fit of bearing outer cups in hub.

Repairs

Replacement of Bearing Cups

1.
Using steel bar stock, make press-out tools shown in

Figure 11.

2.
Insert removers through hub, indexing ends into slots

in hub shoulder behind bearing cup.

3.
Using a suitable extension pipe or rod, press bearing

cups from hub.

4.
Install new bearing cup in hub using Tool J-8849 on

the outer and Tool J-8850 on the inner cup (fig. 12).

Use Driver Handle J-8092 with the installers. Make

sure that the bearing cups are not cocked and are

fully seated against shoulder in hub.

Installation

1.
Pack both inner and. outer bearings using a high

melting point wheel bearing lubricant.

2.
Place inner bearing in hub, then install a new inner

bearing lip seal assembly. Seal flange should face

bearing cup.

3.
Carefully install wheel hub over steering spindle.

4.
Install outer bearing, pressing it firmly into the hub

by hand.

5.
Install spindle washer and adjusting nut. Draw up

tight and adjust wheel bearings as outlined under

"Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment".

STEERING KNUCKLE

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette—It is rec-
ommended that vehicle be raised and supported on a

twin-post hoist so that the front coil spring remains com-

pressed, yet the wheel and steering knuckle assembly re-

main accessible. If a frame hoist is used, support lower

control arm with an adjustable jackstand to safely retain

spring in its curb height position.

Chevy n— While vehicle weight is still on front wheels,

position support between upper control arm and frame

side rail (fig. 13), then raise vehicle and position adjust-

able jackstand under lower control arm.

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle and support lower control arm as noted

above.

2.
Remove hub cap, wheel hub dust cover, cotter pin,

adjusting nut and washer. Withdraw wheel and tire,

brake drum, (or, on Corvette--brake caliper and disc

and hub assembly, See Section 5) and wheel hub and

bearing assembly from steering knuckle spindle.

3.
Remove brake shoes from backing plate (except

Corvette, See Section 5) and clamp wheel cylinder.

CAUTION: Keep brake shoes clean and dry.

4.
Remove brake anchor pin and two bolts securing

brake backing plate and steering arm to steering

knuckle.

5.
Withdraw steering arm and brake backing plate from

steering knuckle. Wire backing plate to frame (fig.

13).
Do not disconnect brake line.

NOTE: Refer to Section 9 - Steering Linkage -

Tie Rod, for further steering arm service

operations.

6. Remove upper and lower ball stud cotter pins and re-

move ball stud nuts. Free steering knuckle from

ball studs by rapping steering knuckle bosses. With-

draw steering knuckle.

Installation

1.
Place steering knuckle in position and insert upper

and lower ball studs into knuckle bosses.

2.
Install ball stud nuts and tighten nut as shown in the

specifications at the end of this section.

Fig.
12 - Installing Front Hub Inner Bearing
Fig.
13 - Backing Plate Removed - Chevy II

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-10

CHEVROLET, CHEVELLE, CAMARO AND CORVETTE (TYPICAL)
CHEVY H

Fig.
14- Shock Absorber

NOTE:
If necessary, tighten one more notch to

insert cotter pins.

3.
Place brake backing plate and wheel cylinder in posi*-

tion on steering knuckle and insert anchor pin.

4.
Place steering arm in position on back of steering

knuckle and insert two bolts through backing plate,

steering knuckle and steering arm. Install locknuts

and tighten. (See Specifications.)

5. Torque brake anchor pin (See Specifications).

6. Install brake shoes, except Corvette. (See Section 5.)

7. Install wheel hub, brake drum (or, on Corvette--

brake caliper and disc and hub assembly), wheel and

tire assembly over spindle.

8. Insert outer wheel bearing race and roller assembly,

washer and nut. Adjust front wheel bearing as shown

under Maintenance and Adjustments in this section.

Install new cotter pin, dust cap and hub cap.

9. Lower vehicle, recheck and readjust wheel alignment

where necessary.

SHOCK ABSORBER

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Comoro and Corvette (Fig. 14)

Removal

1.
With an open end wrench hold the shock absorber

upper stem from turning, and then remove the upper

stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber grommet.

2.
Remove the two bolts retaining the lower shock ab-

sorber pivot to the lower control arm and pull the

shock absorber assembly out from the bottom.

Installation

1.
With the retainer and rubber grommet in place over

the upper stem, install the shock abosrber (fully ex-
tended) up through the lower control arm and spring

so that the upper stem passes through the mounting

hole in the upper support arm.

2.
Install the rubber grommet, retainer' and attaching

nut over the shock absorber upper stem.

3.
With an open end wrench, hold the upper stem

from turning and tighten the retaining nut. (See

Specifications.)

4.
Install the two bolts attaching the shock abosrber

lower pivot to the lower control arm and tighten.

(See Specifications.)

Fig.
15 - Upper Control Arm Support Installed - Chevy II

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-12

2.
Remove forward nut, retainer and rubber bushing

from front end of strut rod.

3.
Remove two nuts from strut rod to lower control arm

bolts and remove bolts and washers.

4.
Withdraw strut rod from bracket.

5. Remove remaining rubber bushing, retainer, sleeve

and nut from strut rod.

6. Inspect rubber bushings for aging and replace if

necessary. *•

Installation

1.
Screw rear nu$ on forward end of rod and position it

approximately 3/4" from end of threads. Install

rear retainer, sleeve and bushing on rod so raised

pilot diameter faces forward.

2.
Insert strut rod in bracket so pilot diameter on bush-

ing pilots in hole in bracket. Install forward bushing

on sleeve so raised pilot diameter faces rear to

enter hole in bracket, then install forward retainer

and nut on rod.

3.
Attach strut rod to top of lower control arm with two

bolts,
washers and nuts.

4.
Lower vehicle to floor, check caster and camber

angles and adjust where necessary. Torque nuts as

shown in Specifications.

FRONT SPRING

Chevrolet

Removal

1.
With an open end wrench hold the shock absorber

upper stem from turning, and then remove the upper

stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber grommet.
I IVi" rVi"i

\>. j ii

>
I

5'4

s

WOOD
BLOCK
USED

WITH
CHEVROLET
ONLY

Fig.
19
- Spring Removal Tools - Chevrolet, Chevelle and Comoro

2.
With the car supported by the frame so that the con-

trol arms hang free, remove the wheel and tire as-

sembly (replace one wheel nut to retain the brake

drum),
shock absorber, stabilizer bar to lower con-

trol arm link, strut rod to lower control arm attach-

ing, nuts, bolts and lock washers and tie rod end.

3.
Scribe the position of the inner pivot camber adjust-

ing cam bolt and then remove the nut, lock washer

and outer cam.

4.
Install a steel bar (fabricated as shown in Figure 19)

through the shock abosrber mounting hole in the

lower control arm so that the notch seats over the

bottom spring coil and the bar extends inboard and

under the inner bushing. Fit a 5" wood block (See

Figure 19) between the bar and the bushing as shown

in Figure 20.

5.
With suitable jack or hoist, lift up slightly on the end

of the bar to remove the tension from the inner pivot

cam bolt, which can then be removed.

Fig.
18-Strut Rod

Pig. 20 - Front Spring Removal - Chevrolet

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION ,3-13

6. Carefully lower the inner end of the control arm.

Tension on the spring will be removed before the

spring can be removed from the vehicle.

7.
Remove the spring.

Installation

1.
With the suspension set up as in Step 2 of the disas-

sembly procedure, insert a block of wood between the

upper control arm and the spring tower to keep the

arm up out of the way.

2.
Set the spring in place on the crossmember after

checking on proper positioning necessary.

3.
Install the steel bar and wood block as shown in Fig-

ure 20 and lift the control arm up until the inner

pivot cam bolt can be installed. ,

4.
Install the outer cam and loosely install the lock

washer and nut

5.
Set the cam bolt on the mark scribed during the re-

moval procedure and hold in this position while tight-

ening the nut (See specifications at the end of this

book).

6. Replace the strut rod to lower control arm nuts,

bolts and lock washers, the stabilizer bar link, the

shock absorber, the tie rod end, and the wheel and

tire.

7.
Lower vehicle to floor and install the shock absorber

upper stem retaining nut retainer and grommet.

8. Check the camber adjustment.

Chevelle and Camaro

Removal

1.
With an open end wrench hold the shock absorber up-

per stem from turning, and then, remove the upper

stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber grommet.

2.
With the car supported by the frame so that the con-

trol arms hang free, remove the wheel and tire as-

sembly (replace one wheel nut to retain the brake

drum),
shock absorber, and stabilizer bar to lower

control arm link.
4.

5.
Fig.
21 - Front Spring Removal - Chevelle & Camaro

Place a steel bar (fabricated as shown in Figure 19)

through the shock absorber mounting hole in the

lower control arm so that the notch seats over the

bottom spring coil and the bar extends outboard be-

yond the end of the control arm and slightly toward

the front of the car.

With a suitable jack or hoist lift up slightly on the

end of the bar.

Remove the lower ball stud cotter pin and attaching

nut and remove the ball stud from the knuckle.

ALTERNATE METHOD

Fig.
22 - Removing or Installing Front Coil Spring - Corvette (Typical)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-16

available the following procedure may also be

used (fig. 22-Alternate Method).

1.
Support car on suitable hoist or jack (so control

arms may swing free) and remove the wheel and

tire assembly, shock absorber, and stabilizer link

at control arm.

2.
Place suitable jack stand under the lower control

arm cross shaft.

3.
Follow Steps 2-5 as outlined on previous page.

4.
Turn head of tool screw to partially compress

spring.

5. Remove the three control arm cross shaft attaching

bolts,
washers and nuts.

6. Carefully lower jack stand and if necessary increase

compression on spring and when coil spring is out of

its upper seat, relax tension on spring (fig. 22).

7. By using a pry bar to assist, if necessary, remove

the coil spring from the lower control arm.

8. Installation is the reverse of the above procedure.

Carefully follow instructions for installing spring

tool.

LOWER CONTROL ARM SPHERICAL JOINT

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Comoro and Corvette

Inspection

The lower control arm spherical joint should be re-

placed whenever wear is indicated in the upper joint

inspection.

NOTE: The lower control arm spherical joint

is a loose fit in the assembly when not connected

to the steering knuckle.

Only if inspection of each upper joint indicates them

both to be within limits, inspect each lower joint for ex-

cessive wear as follows:

1.
After reconnecting upper joints to steering knuckles,

support vehicle weight on wheels or wheel hubs.

2.
With outside micrometer or caliper, measure dis-

tance from top of lubrication fitting to bottom of ball

stud, and record the dimensions for each side.

3.
Then support vehicle weight at outer end of each

lower control arm, so that wheels or wheel hubs are

free,
then repeat Step 2.

4.
If the difference in dimensions on either side is

greater than 1/16" (.0625"), the joint is excessively

worn and both lower joints should be replaced.

If inspection of lower spherical joints does not indicate

excessive wear, inspect further as follows:

5.
On Chevrolet Only--Examine lubrication hole in each

joint assembly after cleaning out hole. Look for evi-

dence of the liner partially or fully blocking lubrica-

tion opening. Such evidence indicates that liner is

disintegrating and that both lower spherical joints

should be replaced.

Another indication of lower spherical joint excessive

wear is indicated when difficulty is experienced when

lubricating the joint. If the liner has worn to the point

where the lubrication grooves in the liner have worn

away, then abnormal pressure is required to force lubri-

cant through the joint. This is another reason to recom-

mend replacement of both lower joints.

If the above inspections do not indicate any reason for

spherical joint replacements, test the torque tightness of
Fig. 27 - Removing Lower Ball Joint - Chevelle
&
Camaro

the lower ball stud in the knuckle on each side as follows:

1.
Wire-brush off nut and cotter pin attaching spherical

joint ball stud to steering knuckle and examine for

evidence of looseness of stud in knuckle.

2.
If no evidence of looseness, remove cotter pin and

with prick punch or equivalent, mark nut stud and

knuckle to identify relative location.

3.
Tighten nut as installed and observe torque reading.

If less than 45 lbs. ft., stud may have been loose in

steering knuckle and replacement of both lower

spherical joints may be recommended.

4.
Check to see if torque of 60-94 lbs. ft. can be ob-

tained without bottoming stud or ball joint against

knuckle. If bottoming occurs, replace ball joint or

steering knuckle.

Chevrolet and Corvette

Removal

1.
Support lower control arm at outer end on floor jack,

with hoist or jack pad clear of lower ball stud nut.

2.
Remove upper and lower ball stud nuts, free ball

studs from steering knuckle and wire knuckle and

brake drum assembly up to fender skirt to preclude

interference while performing next step.

3.
Being careful not to enlarge the holes in control arm,

cut off rivets.

Installation

1.
Install new joint against underside of control arm and

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-17

4.
Replace the wheel and tire.

5.
Lower the vehicle.

Chevy II

inspection

Fig.
28 - Installing Lower Ball Joint - Chevelle & Camaro

retain in place with special bolts and nuts supplied

with new joint.

CAUTION: Use only alloy bolts supplied for

this operation. The special thick headed bolt

must be installed in the forward side of the

control arm.

2.
Tighten bolts and nut on ball stud to Specification

shown at the end of this book.

3.
Lubricate the joint.

Chevelle and Camaro

Removal

1.
Support lower control arm at outer end of floor jack,

with hoist or jack pad clear of lower ball stud and

remove the wheel.

2.
Remove the upper and lower ball stud nuts, free the

ball studs from the steering knuckle and wire the

knuckle and brake drum assembly out of the way to

preclude interference while completing the lower ball

stud removal procedure.

3.
Use a screw driver to pry off the seal and retainer.

Install Tools J-9519-10, J-9519-17 and J-9519-7 as

shown in Figure 27 and turn down on the hex head

screw until the ball stud is pushed out.

Installation

1.
Start the replacement ball stud into the control arm

and install Tools J-9519-10, J^9519-16 and J-9519-17

as shown in Figure 28.

2.
Turn down on the hex head screw until the ball stud

is seated properly in the control arm.

3.
Install the stud into the steering knuckle, secure in

place with the attacking nut and install the cotter pin.
1.
With upper control arm support in position as in

Figure 15, disconnect the lower ball stud from steer-

ing knuckle.

2.
Assemble nut to lower ball stud and check rotating

torque with torque wrench. Specifications for new

joints are 9 lbs. ft. If torque readings are exces-

sively high or low, replace ball joint.

Removal

1.
While vehicle weight is still on front wheels, position

support between upper control arm and frame side

rail (fig. 15).

2.
Raise vehicle and remove cotter pin and nut from

lower ball joint stud (fig. 29).

3.
Disconnect stabilizer at upper link. Break loose the

lower ball stud. Drop lower control arm until lower

ball joint is easily accessible.

, 4. Using a large chisel, cut off the three ball joint re-

taining plate rivet heads. It may be necessary to

drill out rivet heads before chiseling.

NOTE: Additional support to lower control

arm will be necessary to perform this operation.

5.
Remove ball joint from arm and clean arm.

6. Inspect ball joint seat and rivet holes for evidence of

fatigue such as cracking or bending. If defects are

evident, replace lower control arm as outlined later

in this section.

Installation

1.
Install ball joint in arm using special bolts furnished

with replacement kit.

NOTE: Use only special hardened bolts fur-

nished with this replacement kit. Do not attempt

to use other non-hardened bolts and do not at-

tempt to rivet replacement ball joint to arm.

Fig.
29- Disassembling Lower Ball Stud - Chevy

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-21

Chevy II

Removal

1.
Support control arm on Tool J-7 574-4 and insert

Spacer J-9514 (fig. 34).

2,
Press bushing out with Tool J-9226 and Handle

J-7079-2 (fig. 34).

Installation

With Spacer J-9514 still in control arm, invert control

arm and press in new bushing with Tool, J-7474-2 and

Handle J-7079-2 until bushing is fully seated.

CAUTION: It should be noted that control arm

bushing diameters are unequal and bushing must

be pressed into position through larger diameter

only.

CROSS SHAFT AND/ON BUSHINGS

Corvette

Removal

1.
Remove bolt, lock washer and collar from each end

of cross shaft.

2.
Thread a 7/16 x 20 capscrew (furnished with Tool

J-5888) to the bottom of the threads in one end of the

cross shaft.

3.
Support control arm in an arbor press on Tool

J-5888-3,
as shown in Figure 35.

NOTE:
Be certain bushing flange does not

contact support.

4.
Press on cap screw until bushing is free of control

arm. Discard bushing.

5. Remove cap screw from cross shaft. Insert it in

other end of shaft. Invert control arm on support.

Again be certain bushing flange does not contact

support.

6. Press on cap screw until bushing is free of control

arm. Discard bushing.

Installation

1.
With cross shaft in control arm and Tool J-7052-1

in position, place control arm on Tool J-5888-3.

Hand start bushing into control arm and over end of

cross shaft.

NOTE:
The end of the shaft with the two bolt

holes should be toward front of control arm.

2.
Install Tool J-7052-5 over bushing. Be certain

three-piece spacer is not over-lapping bushing holes

in control arm.

3.
Press bushing into control arm until flange contacts

control arm (fig. 36).

4.
Invert arm in press and repeat the process on the

other bushing. After installation, cross shaft should

be free enough to be rotated by hand.

5. Install collar, lock washer and cap screw in each end

of cross shaft. Tighten to torque shown in Specifica-

tions after spring installation.
UPPER CONTROL ARM SPHERICAL JOINT

Chevrolet, Chevelle, Comoro and Corvette

Inspection

The upper spherical joint is checked for wear by

checking the torque required to rotate the ball stud in the

assembly. After performing the first four steps under

"Replacement" below, install a stud nut on the stud and

measure the torque required to turn the stud in the as-

sembly with a torque wrench. Specified torque for a new

joint is 9 lbs. ft. If torque readings are excessively

high or low, replace the ball joint. If excessive wear is

indicated in upper joint, both upper and lower joints

should be replaced.

NOTE:
This inspection does not necessitate

upper control arm removal.

Replacement

1.
Support the vehicle weight at the outer end of the

lower control arm.

2.
Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

3.
Remove cotter pin and nut from upper control arm

ball stud.

4.
Remove the stud from knuckle.

5. Cut off the ball joint rivets with a chisel.

6. Install new joint and retain in place with the special

nuts and bolts supplied.

7. Reassemble ball stud to the steering knuckle.

Chevy II

Inspection

The following on-the-vehicle check is to determine ball

joint wear.

NOTE:
The upper ball joint is a loose fit when

not connected to the steering knuckle. Wear may

be checked without disassembling the ball stud

by
using'
the following procedure:

1.
While vehicle weight is still on front wheels, insert

upper control arm support as shown in Figure 14.

2.
Raise vehicle and allow wheel and tire to hang free.

3.
Measure distance from tip of ball stud to top surface

of control arm.

4.
Place adjustable jackstand under tire and raise

slightly to take up ball joint looseness.

5. Repeat Step 3 and if the difference in measurements

exceeds 3/32", the joint is excessively worn and

should be replaced.

Replacement

1.
With vehicle weight still on front wheels, install

spacer between upper control arm and frame side

rail (fig. 15). Raise vehicle.

2.
Remove wheel and tire.

3.
Disconnect stabilizer link (if present) and strut rod

at lower control arm.

4.
Remove cotter pin and nut from upper ball joint stud.

5. Break ball stud loose. Drop lower control arm,

steering knuckle and brake assembly with an adjust-

able jackstand until upper control arm ball joint is

easily accessible.

6. Using a large chisel, cut off the three ball joint re-

taining plate rivet heads. It may be necessary to

drill out rivet heads before chiseling.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-6

Fig.
10—Toe-in Adjusting Shim Location (Corvette)

Toe-in

Wheel toe-in is adjusted by inserting shims of varying

thickness inside the frame side member on both sides

of the torque arm pivot bushing (fig. 10). Shims are

available in thicknesses of
1/64",
1/32",
1/8" and 1/4".

To adjust toe-in, remove torque arm pivot bolt; then

position torque arm to obtain specified toe-in. Shim gap

toward vehicle centerline between torque arm bushing

and frame side inner wall.

NOTE: Do not use thicker shim than necessary,

and do not use undue force when shimming inner

side of torque arm - to do so may cause toe

setting to change.

Shim outboard gap as necessary to obtain solid stack-

up between torque arm bushing and inner wall of frame

side member. After correct shim stack has been se-

lected, install pivot bolt and hardened washers (fig. 10) -
making sure that all shims are retained - torque nut to

specifications and install cotter pin. If specified torque

does not permit cotter pin insertion, tighten nut to next

flat.

WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT (CORVETTE)

inspection

The tapered-roller spindle bearings should have end

play of .001" to
.008".
During inspection, check end

play and, when necessary, adjust as outlined in this

section.

1.
Raise rear of vehicle until wheels clear ground.

2.
Disengage bolt lock tabs and disconnect outboard end

of axle drive shaft from wheel spindle flange.

3.
Mark camber cam in relation to bracket. Loosen and

turn camber bolt until strut rod forces control arm

outward. Position loose end of axle drive shaft to

one side for access to spindle.

4.
Remove wheel and tire assembly. Mount dial in-

dicator (Tool J-8001) on torque arm or adjacent

surface and rest pointer on flange or spindle end

(fig. H).

5.
Grasp brake disc and move axially (in and out) while

reading movement on dial indicator. If end movement

is within the .001" to .008" limit, bearings do not

require adjustment. If not within .001" to .008"

limit, record reading for future reference and adjust

bearings as outlined below.

Adjustment

1.
Apply parking brake to prevent spindle from turning

and remove cotter pin and nut from spindle.

2.
Release parking brake and remove drive spindle

flange from splined end of spindle.

3.
Remove brake caliper and brake disc as outlined in

Section 5.

4.
Install Thread Protector J-21859-2 over spindle

threads; then remove drive spindle from spindle

support, using Tool J-22602 as shown in Figure 12.

CAUTION: When using Tool J-22601 to remove

drive spindle, make sure puller plate is posi-

Fig.
11—Checking Wheel Bearing Adjustment (Corvette)
Fig. 12—Removing Drive Spindle from Support (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL