wheel bolts CHEVROLET CAMARO 1967 1.G Chassis Owner's Manual

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-24

4

i*
5

Fig.
65—Removing Bushings (Corvette)

4.
Lightly oil new bushing diameters (not rubber por-

tion) and start bushings squarely in arm.

5. Install Tool J-7055-1 as shown in Figure 66 and

press bushings into place.

6. When bushings are fully installed, place special

plate over flared portion of new bushing retainer

and insert retainer into bushing.

7. Out of 5/8" thick steel plate 1-1/2" wide make flar-

ing tool support to the dimensions shown in Figure

67 and drill clearance holes as shown for 2
—
1/2"

bolts.

8. Place fabricated back-up plate on flared end of bush-

ing retainer and assembly Tool J-8111-23 to plate

with 2-1/2" bolts 5" long. Make sure threaded hole

in J-8111-23 is centered over unflared end of bushing

retainer and that chambered retainer plate is cen-

tered over retainer tube.

9. Lightly oil pointed end of J-8880-5 screw and thread

into J-
8111-23
until pointed "end contacts bushing

retainer. Continue threading J-8111-23 until retainer

is flared (fig. 68).

Installation

1.
Place torque arm in frame opening.

2.
Place toe-in shims in original position on both sides

of torque arm, install pivot bolt and tighten but do

not torque at this point.
Fig.
67—Flaring Tool Back-Up Plate (Corvette)

3.
Raise axle drive shaft into position and install to

drive flange. Torque bolts to specifications.

4.
Raise strut rod into position and insert strut rod

shaft so that flat lines up with flat in spindle sup-

port fork. Install nut and torque to specifications.

5. Install shock absorber lower eye and tighten nut

to specifications.

6. Connect spring end as outlined under Spring-

Bistallation, Steps 3-6'.

NOTE:
If vehicle is so equipped, connect sta-

bilizer shaft to torque arm - refer to "Sta-

bilizer Shaft Replacement".

7. Install brake disc and caliper, wheel and tire and

lower vehicle. Tighten torque arm pivot bolt. Bleed

brakes as outlined in Section 5-Brakes.

SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

Removal

1.
Disconnect and remove spring as outlined under

Spring-Removal.

2.
Remove differential carrier assembly as outlined

under Differential Carrier-Removal in this section.

3.
Support crossmember, remove bolts securing

crossmember isolation mounts to frame and lower

crossmember (fig. 69).

Fig.
66—Installing Bushings (Corvette)
Fig.
68—Flaring Retainer (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-25

Fig.
69—Removing Crossmember (Corvette)

4.
Remove bolts securing carrier cover to cross-

member.

5.
Inspect rubber isolation mounts for aging and re-

place where necessary.

Repairs—Isolation Mount

1.
Bend back isolation mount tabs to allow mount re-

moval (fig. 70).

2.
Place crossmember on a suitable support and press

mount out of arm using a piece of suitable size pipe

or tubing on outer shell or inner insert.

3.
Place new mount into position on crossmember,

compress outer sleeve and press mount into place

until it is fully and squarely seated.

4.
After installation, bend over locking tabs.

Installation

1.
Install carrier cover to crossmember and torque

bolts to specifications.

2.
Raise crossmember into position and install mount-

ing bolts. Torque bolts to specifications.

3.
Install differential carrier assembly as outlined

under Differential Carrier
-
Installation in this

section.

4.
Install wheels and tires, remove frame supports and

lower vehicle.

STABILIZER SHAFT REPLACEMENT

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and support at frame side rail

with stand jacks.

2.
Disconnect stabilizer shaft at both torque arms (fig.

71).
Remove stabilizer shaft brackets from the

frame and withdraw assembly from vehicle.
ISOLATION MOUNT

CROSSMEMBER

BEND OVER TABS AFTER INSTALLATION

Fig.
70—Crossmember Mount Cross-Section (Corvette)

3.
Inspect bushings for signs of deterioration, and in-

spect shaft for bends, breaks or other defects - do

not attempt to straighten shaft - replace parts as

deemed necessary.

4.
Position bushings on shaft and loosely install shaft

to torque arms and at frame brackets.

5.
Align shaft to assume proper placement when bolts

are torqued, and torque attaching bolts to

specifications.

Fig.
71—Stabilizer Shaft Installation (Corvette)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION
AND
DRIVE LINE
4-26

DRIVE LINE

REAR AXIE

INDEX

Page

General
Description
4-26

Chevrolet,
Camaro,
Chevelle
and
Chevy
II 4-26

Corvette
4-26

Maintenance
and
Adjustments
4-27

Lubricant
4.37

Lubricant'
Leaks
4_27

Axle Bolts
and
Wheel
Nuts
4-27

Rear Axle Noise
Diagnosis
4-29

Gear Noise
4_29

Bearing
Noise
4-29

Failure
Analysis
4^9

Hypoid
Gears
4..3Q

Differential Gears. 4_30

Bearings
....'.
4.30

Component Parts Replacement

(Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy n ..... 4.30

Axle Assembly ,. . 4_30

Removal 4 30

Installation * ' 4 3Q
Axle Shaft . . . 4-31

Removal 4-31

Wheel Bolt Replacement 4-31

Oil Seal and/or Bearing Replacement. 4-31

Brake Flange Plate Replacement 4-31

Installation 4-32

Pinion Flange, Dust Deflector and/or

Oil Seal Replacement 4-32

Component Parts Replacement (Corvette) 4-34

Axle Driveshaft .- 4-34

Removal 4-34

Repairs 4-34

Installation. . 4-34

Pinion Flange, Dust Deflector and/or Oil Seal. .... 4-35

Removal 4-35

Inspection . 4-35

Installation .- 4-35

Differential Carrier 4-36

Removal 4-36

Installation 4-36

Positraction Differential Unit-On the Vehicle Check . . 4-37

\

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

CHEVROLET, CHEVELLE, CHEVY
I! AND
CAMARO

The rear axle
(fig. 72) is a
semifloating, fabricated

construction type consisting
of a
cast carrier with large

bosses
on
each
end
into which
two
welded steel tubes

are fitted.
The
carrier contains
an
overhung hypoid

pinion
and
ring gear.
The
differential
is a
two pinion

arrangement.

The axle housing
is
made up
of
two steel welded tubes

pressed into
the
crossbore
of the
cast carrier
-
each

tube
is
puddle welded
at
three places
to the
carrier.

Welded-on brackets provide attachment points
for

Chevelle springs,; shock absorbers,
and
lower control

arms.
Chevrolet models have welded-on brackets
for

control arms,
tie
rod, and shock absorbers. The housing

on Chevy II and Camaro has welded brackets
for
mounting

lower spring
pad
and shock absorber.
A
welded flange
is

provided
for
brake flange plate attachment.

The overhung hypoid drive pinion
is
supported
by
two

preloaded tapered roller bearings.
The
pinion shaft
is

sealed
by
means
of a
molded, spring loaded, rubber seal.

The seal
is
mounted
on the
pinion shaft flange which
is

splined and bolted
to
the hypoid pinion shaft.

The hypoid ring gear
is
bolted
to a
one-piece differen-

tial case which
is
supported
by two
preloaded tapered

roller bearings.

CORVETTE

The Corvette rear axle
is of the
type where
the dif-
ferential carrier housing enclosing
the
differential
and

hypoid gears
is
supported
on a
crossmember mounted
to

the chassis frame.
The
differential
is
connected through

universal joints
to the
drive shafts
and
wheels
(fig. 73).

The internal components
of the
carrier
are of
conven-

tional design, incorporating
a
hypoid gear
set
with
an

overhung pinion supported
on two
pre-loaded, tapered

roller bearing assemblies,
and a
two-pinion differential

assembly supported
on
tapered roller bearings. Pinion

mounting distance adjustments
are
made through the
use

of shims,
as are the
differential bearing pre-load
and

backlash adjustments.
The
differential side gears drive

two splined yokes which
are
retained laterally
by
snap

rings located on the yoke splined end. The yokes
are
sup-

ported on caged needle bearings pressed into
the
carrier,

adjacent
to the
differential bearings.
A
lip seal, pressed

in outboard
of
the bearings, prevents
oil
leakage and dirt

entry.
The
carrier cover
is
bolted
to the
carrier and

provides accessibility
to the
internal parts.
The
cover

incorporates two integral, reinforced mounting pads which

serve
as the
carrier attaching point
to the
suspension

crossmember,
and an
attaching point
for the
spring

center section. The filler plug
is
located on the right side

of the cover near the bolting flange.

All service operations allow carrier removal without

removing
the
carrier cover. Cover removal
is
not nec-

essary
in any of the
service procedures except
in
the

case
of
complete carrier housing replacement,
as the

carrier and cover
are
serviced
as
an assembly.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-27

SHIM AND

SERVICE

12

14

Fig.
72—Rear Axle Cross-Section (Chevrolet, Camaro, Chevelle and Chevy II)

1.
Companion Flange

2.
Deflector

3. Pinion Oil Seal

4.
Pinion Front Bearing

5. Pinion Bearing Spacer

6. Differential Carrier

LUBRICANT
7. Differential Case

8. Shim

9. Gasket

10.
Differential Bearing

11.
"Clock

12. Pinion Shaft Lock Bolt
13.
Cover

14.
Pinion Shaft

15.
Ring Gear

16.
Side Gear

17.
Bearing Cap

18.
Axle Shaft
19.
Thrust Washer

20.
Differential Pinion

21.
Shim

22.
Pinion Rear Bearing

23.
Drive Pinion

MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS

The lubricant level should be periodically checked and

maintained at level of filler plug with a warm axle. See

the lubrication section of this manual for lubricant

recommendations.

Lubricant Leaks

Lubricant leaks should be checked for at the pinion

flange oil seal, axle wheel bearing seals, lubricant-filler
plug, and carrier cover. Correction of these leaks con-

sists of replacing the defective seals or gaskets involved

as described in this section.

AXLE BOLTS AND WHEEL NUTS

From a safety standpoint, axle housing to rear spring

bolts,
wheel nuts and control arm attaching bolts should

be periodically inspected for secure installation.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-30

Fig.
76—Differential Gear Failure

Hypoid Gears

Hypoid gear tooth scoring (fig. 74) is caused generally

by improper break-in, incorrect lube, insufficient gear

backlash or improper 'ring/pinion gear alignment. The

scoring will progressively lead to complete erosion of

the gear tooth, or gear tooth pitting and eventual fracture

with possible attendant damage to bearings, if the initial
scoring condition is not diagnosed in time and corrected.

Hypoid gear scoring is easily recognized by its char-

acteristic loud whine in either drive, coast or under both

conditions. Another cause of hypoid tooth fracture (fig.

75) is extended overloading of the gear set which will

produce fatigue fracture, or shock loading which will

result in sudden failure.

Differential Gears

Common causes of differential gear failure are shock

loading, extended overloading leading to fatigue failure,

and overheating of gear thrust surfaces resulting from

excessive wheel spin and consequent lubrication break-

down. Overheating will lead to seizing of thrust surfaces

or tooth failure (fig. 76).

Bearings

• Failure of axle tapered roller bearings is due pri-

marily to excessive wear caused by long service or

foreign materials in the oil. The second most common

cause of bearing failure is too tight or too loose pre-

load adjustment leading to spalling and eventual failure.

This failure may also lead to hypoid gear scoring due to

the resultant misalignment of the hypoid gear set.

COMPONENT PARTS REPLACEMENT

(Chevrolet, Cheveile, Chevy II and Camaro)

AXLE ASSEMBLY

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle to a height that will permit axle as-

sembly to hang freely and position supports under

both frame side rails.

2.
Disconnect wheel cylinder inlet lines. Disconnect and

remove brake hose and brake line retaining bracket

by removing retaining bolt from carrier cover.

3.
Loosen parking brake equalizer adjusting nut and

disconnect both rear cables at frame bracket and at

control arms. See Section 5 for detail of parking

brake cable removal.

4.
Remove two trunnion bearing "U" bolts from the

rear yoke and separate rear universal joint. Wire

propeller shaft to frame side rail and tape trunnion

bearing cups.

5. Support arid secure axle assembly with an adjustable

lifting device. On Chevrolet and Cheveile models,

loosen upper and lower control arm attaching bolts

at axle housing. (On Chevrolet models, disconnect

tie rod at axle bracket.)

6. Disconnect shock absorbers at axle brackets. Refer

to Shock Absorber Removal procedures outlined in

this section.

7. On Chevrolet and Cheveile models, lower axle as-

sembly until suspension reaches end of travel, then

disconnect spring retainers and withdraw springs

from vehicle.

8. On Chevy II and Camaro models, remove four nuts

securing lower spring seat to axle housing, then

remove spring front eye bolts or spring attaching

bracket and swing spring to rear so that it does not

interfere with axle.

9. On Chevrolet and Cheveile models, disconnect upper

and lower control arm attaching bolts at axle housing*
10.
Lower axle assembly and remove from under vehicle.

Installation

1.
Place axle assembly under vehicle and raise into

position.

2.
On Chevrolet and Cheveile models, install, but do not

tighten, upper and lower control arm attaching bolts

at axle housing.

3.
On Chevrolet models, position coil springs in upper

seats so that end of spring is indexed in seat.

4.
On Chevrolet models, install lower end of spring on

axle bracket or control arm and secure by installing

retainer and bolt. Install lock washer and retainer

nut.

5. On Cheveile pry lower pigtail of spring over vertical

flange of the axle bracket spring seat.

6. On Chevy II and Camaro models, install spring seat

pads and swing springs up into spring seats on axle

housing, making sure upper seat pads are aligned in

axle housing bracket.

7. Install spring front eye bolt and tighten, then install

spring seat lower mounting bracket and retaining

nuts.

8. Raise axle assembly to allow shock absorber and tie

rod installation. Position shock absorber in axle

bracket. Torque nut as outlined in Shock Absorber

Installation procedures.

9. Install brake hose and brake line retaining bracket

to carrier and connect wheel cylinder inlet lines.

Connect parking brake cable to frame bracket and

at control arm. Adjust parking brake and bleed

brakes as outlined in Section 5.

10.
Reassemble rear universal joint to companion flange.

11.
Support vehicle at axle and remove supports from

beneath the frame side rails.

12.
Remove supports and lower vehicle to floor. Torque

all affected parts to specifications.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-31

Fig.
77—Differential Pinion Shaft Removal

AXLE SHAFT

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle to desired working height and remove

wheel and tire assembly and brake drum.

2.
Clean all dirt from area of carrier cover. *

3.
Drain lubricant from carrier by removing cover.

4.
Remove the differential pinion shaft lock screw and

the differential pinion shaft (fig. 77).

5. Push flanged end of axle shaft toward center of

vehicle and remove "C" lock from button end of

shaft.

6. Remove axle shaft from housing, being careful not

to damage oil seal.

Wheel Bolt Replacement .

Press bolts out of axle shaft flange (as illustrated in

Figure 78) and press new bolts into place, making sure

that they are tight and square with flange.

Off Seal and/or Bearing Replacement

•1.
Remove the oil seal by using the button end of the

axle shaft - insert the button end of the shaft behind

the steel case of the oil seal, then pry seal out of

bore being careful not to damage housing.

2.
Insert Tool J-8119 into bore and position it behind

bearing so that tangs on tool engage bearing outer

x race. Remove bearing, using slide hammer as shown

in Figure 79. Figure 80 shows a detail of axle

housing outer end.

3.
Lubricate new bearing with wheel bearing lubricant,

and install bearing so that it bottoms against
Fig.
79—Wheel Bearing Removal

shoulder (fig. 81). To install bearing use Tool

J-21491 for the Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy JI

light-duty axle and Tool J-21051 for all Chevrolet

models and also for Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy tl

models with heavy-duty axle.

Pack cavity between the seal lips with a high melting

point wheel bearing lubricant; position seal on tool

(Use J-21491 for the Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy II

light-duty axle and J-21051 for all Chevrolet models

and also for Chevelle, Camaro and Chevy II models

with heavy-duty axle) and position seal in axle

housing bore, tap seal into place so that it bottoms

against bearing (fig. 81).

Brake Flange Plate Replacement

1.
Remove "brake line at wheel cylinder inlet and dis-

assemble brake components from flange plate. Refer

to Section 5 for brake disassembly procedure.

2.
Remove 4 nuts securing flange plate to axle housing.

3.
Install new flange plate to axle housing and torque

nuts to specifications.

Fig.
78—Wheel Bolt Replacement
Fig.
80-Axle Housing Detail

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-32

HP?

Fig.
81
—Whed Bearing and/or Oil Seal Installation

4.
Install brake components on flange and connect

hydraulic line to wheel cylinder inlet. See Section 5

for brake assembly procedure.

5. Install axle shaft, brake drum and wheel and tire

assembly.

6. Bleed and. adjust brakes as outlined in Section 5.

Installation

1.
Slide axle shaft into place.

CAUTION: Exercise care that splines on end

of shaft do not damage oil seal and that they

engage with splines of differential side gear/

2.
Install axle shaft "C" lock on button end of axle-

shaft and push shaft outward so that shaft lock seats

in counterbore of differential side gear.

3.
Position differential pinion shaft through case and

pinions, aligning hole in shaft with lock screw hole.

Install lock screw and torque to specifications.

4.
Using a new gasket, install carrier cover and torque

bolts to specifications.

CAUTION: Make sure both gasket surfaces on

carrier and cover are clean before installing

new gasket. Torque carrier cover bolts in a

crosswise pattern to ensure uniform draw on

cover gasket.

5. Fill axle with lubricant to a level even with bottom

of filler hole. See Section 0 for proper lubricant.

6. Install brake drum and wheel and tire assembly.

7. Lower vehicle and test operation of axle.

PINION FLANGE, DUST DEFLECTOR

AND/OR OIL SEAL

Replacement

1.
Raise rear of vehicle and place stand jacks under

frame side rails so that axle hangs freely to allow

sufficient working room.

2.
Check wheels for freedom of rotation.

3.
Separate rear universal joint, tape trunnion bearings

to joint, position propeller shaft to one side and tie

it to frame side rail.

4.
Using Tool J-5853 with Adapter J-5810 and a suitable

socket on the pinion flange nut, rotate the pinion

through several complete revolutions and record the

torque required to keep the pinion turning (fig. 82).

If flange is to be reused, mark pinion and flange for

reassembly in the same relative position.

5. Install Tool J-8614-1 on pinion flange and remove

pinion flange nut and washer (fig. 83). (Position
Fig. 82—Measuring Drive Pinion Bearing Preload

J-8614-1 on flange so that the four notches are

toward flange.) Discard nut and use a new one

upon reassembly.

6. Thread pilot end of Tool J-8614-3 into small O.D.

end of J-8614-2. Then with J-8614-1 installed as

in Step 4, insert J-8614-2 into J-8614-1 and turn

it 45 degrees to locked position. Remove flange by

turning J-8614-3 while holding J-8614-1 (fig. 84).

7. Pry old seal out of bore, using a screw driver or a

hammer and chisel.

8. Inspect pinion flange for smooth oil seal surface,

worn drive splines, damaged ears, and for smooth-

ness of bearing contact surface. Replace if

necessary.

9. If deflector requires replacement, remove by tapping

from flange, clean up stake points; install new de-

flector, and stake deflector at three new equally

spaced positions.

NOTE:
Staking operation must be performed

in such a manner that the seal operating surface

is not damaged.

1.0. Pack the cavity between the seal lips of the pinion

flange oil seal with a lithium-base extreme pressure

lubricant, position seal in bore, then using Tools

J-21468 and J-9458, for light-duty axle and Tool

Fig. 83-—Drive Pinion Nut Removal

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-34

COMPONENT PARTS REPLACEMENT (CORVETTE)

AXLE DRIVESHAFT-FIGURE 88

Removal

1.
Disconnect inboard driveshaft trunnion from side

gear yoke.

2.
Bend bolt lock tabs down and remove four bolts

securing shaft flange to spindle drive flange.

3.
Pry driveshaft out of outboard drive flange pilot

and remove by withdrawing outboard end first (fig.

89).

Repairs

1.
Remove bearing lock ring from trunnion yoke.

2.
Support turnnion yoke on a piece of 1-1/4" pipe on

arbor press bed.

3.
Using suitable socket or rod, press trunnion down

far enough to drive opposite bearing cup from yoke.

4.
Remove trunnion and press other bearing cup from

yoke, being careful not to
drop'
cup
or lose bearing

rollers.

5. Remove trunnion and yoke from other joint in a

similar manner.

3

AXLE
II 1

i

c

DRI\

c

y
'E SHAFT ^

AXLE
v

DRIVE^
SHAFT
•<i-^""^

Fig.
88—Axle Driveshaft
6. Remove dust seals from trunnion, clean and inspect

bearing rollers and trunnion. Relubricate bearings

with a high-melting point wheel bearing type

lubricant.

NOTE:
In addition to packing the bearings,

make sure that the lubricant reservoir at the

end of each trunnion is completely filled with

lubricant. In filling these reservoirs, pack lu-

bricant into the hole so as to fill from the .

bottom. This will prevent air pockets and en-

sure an adequate supply of lubricant.

7. Place new dust seals on trunnion, cavity of seal

toward end of trunnion - then position Tool J-21556

over end of trunnion and into cavity portion of seal.

Press seal onto trunnion until tool bottoms against

trunnion (fig. 90).

NOTE:
Installation of seal is critical to proper

sealing - use specified tool during installation

to prevent seal distortion and to assure proper

seating of seal on trunnion.

8. Partially install one bearing cup into yoke. Place

trunnion in yoke and into bearing cup. Install other

bearing cup and press both bearing cups into yoke,

being careful to keep trunnion aligned in bearing

cups.

9. Press bearing cups far enough to install lock rings,

and install lock rings.

NOTE:
It may be more convenient, if neces-

sary, to use a bench vise for removal and

installation, instead of an arbor press. In this

case, proceed with disassembly and assembly

procedure as with an arbor press.

Installation

1.
Place driveshaft inboard trunnion into side gear

yokes and assemble
"XJ"
bolts. Rotate yokes so that

trunnion seats are phased 90° apart.

2.
Install outboard drive flange into spindle drive flange

pilot, position bolt lock over bolt holes and install

four bolts. Torque bolts to specification and bend

lock tabs flat against bolt heads.

Fig. 89—Removing Driveshaft

Fig.
90—
"U"
Joint Trunnion Seal Installation

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-37

9. Connect spring end link bolts as outlined under

Spring--Installation, in this section.

10.
Remove filler plug, located on right side of cover,

and fill -with hypoid lubricant to level of filler hole.

11.
Lower vehicle and road test for leaks, noise and

general performance.

POSITRACTION DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

The optionally available Positraction differential unit

is installed in the conventional carrier to replace the

standard differential unit.

Service procedures for the Positraction equipped axle

are the same as on a conventional axle except for the.

operations listed below.

On the Vehicle Check

If vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, shift

transmission into neutral.

1.
Raise rear of vehicle until wheels are off the ground,

remove one wheel and tire assembly.

2.
Attach Adapter J-5748 to axle shaft flange and install

a
1/2-13
bolt into adapter (fig. 97).

3.
With wheel and tire assembly still on vehicle held

firmly to prevent turning, measure torque required
Fig.
97—Measuring Positraction Rotating Torque

to rotate opposite axle shaft with a 0-150# torque

wrench attached to J-5748. Torque should be 70

ft.
lbs. minimum new, and no less than 40 ft. lbs. if

used.

PROPELLER SHAFT AND UNIVERSAL JOINTS

INDEX

Page
Page

General Description 4-37

Component Parts Replacement. 4-38

Propeller Shaft (Dana) 4-38

Removal 4-38

Repairs 4-38
Installation 4-39

Propeller Shaft (Saginaw) 4-40

Removal 4-40

Repairs 4-40

Installation 4-41

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The one-piece, exposed-type, tubular propeller shaft is

used on all models. The cardon-type universal joints are

of the extended-life design and do not require periodic

maintenance. A splined front yoke on the front end of the

propeller shaft extends into a splined coupling on the

transmission output shaft. This slip joint permits slight

lengthening and shortening of the propeller shaft to com-

pensate for up and down movement of the rear axle
assembly.

A light duty (fig. 98) and a heavy duty (fig. 99) version

of the tubular propeller shaft is used. The heavy-duty

shaft incorporates a damper, as part of the sleeve yoke,

at the transmission end of the shaft. This damper is not

serviced separately—the sleeve and damper (fig. 100)

must be replaced as an assembly.

Two different methods are used to retain the trunnions

Fig.
98—Light-Duty Propeller Shaft Cross-Section (Dana Design)

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-39

Fig.
103—Removing Bearing Caps

these joints are disassembled, repack bearings

and lubricate reservoir at end of trunnions with

high-melting point wheel bearing lubricant and

replace the dust seals.

1.
Remove bearing lock rings from trunnion yoke.

2.
Support trunnion yoke on a piece of 1-1/4" I.D. pipe

on an arbor bed.

NOTE:
Due to length of the propeller shaft it

may be more convenient to use a bench vise,

for removal and installation, instead of an arbor

press.
In this case, proceed with disassembly

and assembly procedure as with an arbor press.

3.
Using a suitable socket or rod, press trunnion down

far enough to drive bearing cup from yoke (fig. 103).

4.
Remove dust seals from trunnion, clean and inspect

bearing rollers and trunnion. Relubricate bearings

with a lithium base chassis lubricant.

NOTE:
In addition to packing the bearings,

make sure that the lubricant reservoir at the

end of each trunnion is completely filled with

lubricant. In filling these reservoirs, pack lu-

bricant into the hole so as to fill from the

bottom. This will prevent air pockets and ensure

an adequate supply of lubricant.

5. Place new dust seals on trunnions - cavity of seal

toward end of trunnion - then position Tool J-21548
over end of trunnion and into cavity portion of seal.

Press seal onto trunnion until tool bottoms against

trunnion (fig. 104). .

NOTE:
Installation of seal is critical to proper

sealing - use specified tool during installation to

prevent seal distortion and to assure proper

seating of seal on trunnion.

6. Partially install one bearing cup into yoke. Place

trunnion in yoke and into bearing cup. Install other

bearing cup and press both bearing cups into yoke

(fig. 105) being careful to keep trunnion aligned in

bearing cups.

7. Press bearing cups far enough to install lock rings,

and install lock rings.

Installation

1.
Inspect yoke seal in the transmission and replace, if

necessary, as described in the transmission section.

2.
Insert propeller shaft front yoke into transmission.

NOTE:
On Corvette models, install front yoke

into transmission then position propeller shaft

between yoke and companion flange; install "U"

bolts to front yoke.

3.
Align propeller shaft with companion flange, using

reference marks established in "Removal" pro-

cedure, connect the rear universal joint by installing

"U"
bolt clamps over bearing trunnions - torque

nuts to specifications.

Fig.
104—"U" Joint Trunnion Seal installation
Fig.
105—Installing Bearing Cup and Trunnion

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL