wheel bolts CHEVROLET CAMARO 1967 1.G Chassis Workshop Manual

HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING 1A-3

linkage of this lever which will provide partial airflow

only to the defroster duct and which should be used for,

all normal defogging operations.

CORVETTE

Heater components are attached to the dash panel on

the right side of the vehicle with the air inlet assembly

on the engine side and the heater and air distributor

assemblies beneath the instrument panel within the pas-

senger compartment.

The heater operates on outside air only with the blower

receiving its air flow from the cowl vent plenum

chamber.

No water valve is utilized in the system. Therefore,

water flows through the heater core constantly while

the engine is running, keeping the core at maximum

temperature at all times.

Airflow through the system is shown in Figure 1.

Controls

Two knobs control all heater operations:

The FAN-TEMP knob is rotated to turn the blower

on and off and control blower speed and is pulled out

as desired to regulate heater temperature.

The AIR-DEF knob is the air on-and-off control as

well as the defroster control.

Temperature Damper: Door

At the heart of the heater operation is the temperature

damper door. Air from the blower follows parallel paths

through the distributor duct, with one path passing

through the heater core and the other path bypassing the

core.

The temperature damper door is placed in the duct

so that, when closed, the path of the heated air leaving

the heater core is blocked while the ambient air path

remains open. Positive closing of this door when no

heat is being called for is assured by a cam assembly

at the door operating lever. As the FAN-TEMP knob

is pulled out, the damper door is opened accordingly,

allowing varying proportions of heated air to mix with

the unheated airflow, thus providing heater outlet tem-

perature control. With the knob pulled fully out the
Fig.
4—Heater Controls (Corvette)

ambient air path is blocked and all airflow passes

through the heater core. Final heater output temperature

is dependent upon the proportion of heated and ambient

air blended together according* to the setting of the

temperature damper door.

Air and Defrost Damper Doors

Beyond the temperature damper door are the air door

and the defroster door, both operated through a single

bowden cable by the AIR-DEF knob. The first half of the

travel of this knob opens the AIR door allowing the

airflow to pass into the interior of the car through the

floor distributor openings. Pulling the AIR-DEF knob

fully out causes the defroster door to open, diverting

this airflow to the defroster ducts for defogging, de-

frosting or deicing operations.

NOTE: Since this knob is the air on-or-off

control, it should be pulled at least halfway out

before turning on the blower.

Fan Control

Rotate the FAN-TEMP knob to operate the three-

speed blower, increasing the velocity of the air through

the heater. The fully counter-clockwise position of the

knob is the off position. Turn clockwise to the desired

blower speed; fully clockwise for high blower speed.

COMPONENT REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR

CHEVROLET, CHEVELLE, AND CAMARO

Blower Assembly

Removal

1.
Disconnect battery ground cable.

2.
Unclip heater hoses from fender skirt.

3.
(Chevrolet and Camaro) Remove right front fender

and skirt assembly. (See Section 11 of the Service

Shop Manual)

(Chevelle) Move the vehicle front wheels to the

extreme right turn position. Remove all right front

fender retaining bolts. Allow the skirt to drop and

rest on top of the tire. To gain maximum clearance

for access to the blower motor attaching screws, a

block of wood may be wedged between the fender

lower flange and the top of the fender skirt. Position

the wood block so that the rear portion of the skirt

will be forced down and inboard. (See Figure 7.)
4.
Disconnect the blower motor wire at the motor

flange.

5.
Remove the motor to case mounting screws and re-

move motor. Pry the flange gently if the sealer acts

as an adhesive.

6. Remove the blower wheel retaining nut and separate

blower and motor.

Installation

1.
Assemble the blower wheel to the motor with the

open end of the blower away from the motor.

2.
Place the assembly into the case and replace the

mounting screws. Connect the blower motor wire to

the motor.

3.
(Chevrolet and Camaro) Replace the fender and

skirt assembly.

(Chevelle) Replace the fender skirt.

4.
Clip the heater hoses to the fender skirt and connect

the battery ground cable.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

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 3-6

Fig.
8 - Caster and Camber Adjustments - Chevy

To adjust for caster and camber, loosen the upper sup-

port shaft to crossmember nuts, add or subtract shims as

required and retighten nuts.

NOTE:
Caster and camber can be adjusted in

one operation.

Caster and camber specifications will be found in the

last section of this book.

Chevrolet and Chevy II

The caster angle is adjusted by turning the two niits at

the front of the lower control arm strut rod (figs. 7 and

8).
Shortening this rod will increase caster. Lengthen-

ing will decrease caster.

Camber angle is adjusted by loosening the lower con-

trol arm pivot bolt and rotating the cam located on this

pivot. This eccentric cam action will move lower control

arm in or out, thereby varying camber.

Steering Axis Inclination Adjustment

"Camber" is the outward tilt of the wheel and "steering

axis inclination" is the inward tilt of the knuckle. Cam-

ber cannot be changed without changing steering axis

inclination. Correct specifications willbe found at the

end of this section. If, with the camber correctly ad-

justed, the steering axis inclination does not fall within

the specified limits the knuckle is bent and should be

replaced.

If a new knuckle is installed, caster, camber and toe-in

must be readjusted.

Toe-In Adjustment

Toe-in, the inward pointing of both front wheels, is

checked with the wheels in the straight ahead position. It

is the difference of the distance measured between the

extreme front and the distance measured between the ex-

treme rear of both front wheels. Correct toe-in specifi-

cations will be found at the end of this section.
NOTE:
Toe-in must be adjusted after caster

and camber adjustment.

A. If the equipment being used measures the toe-in of

each wheel individually:

1.
Set the steering gear on the high point, mark 12

o'clock position on the steering shaft and position

the steering wheel for straight ahead driving.

2.
Loosen the clamp bolt at each end of each tie rod

and adjust to the total toe-in as given in the speci-

fications at the end of this book.

B.
If a tram gauge is being used, proceed as follows:

1.
Set the front wheels in the straight ahead position.

2.
Loosen the clamp bolts on one tie rod and adjust

for the proper toe-in as given in the specifications

at the end of this book.

3.
Loosen the clamp bolts on the other tie rod. Turn

both rods the same amount and in the same direc-

tion to place the steering gear on its high point and

position the steering wheel in its straight ahead

position.

C.
After the adjustment has been made:

1.
a. Chevrolet—Position inner tie rod clamp bosses

forward to 90° down to avoid stabilizer link bolt

interference.

b.
Chevelle—Position the tie rod clamp bosses

down to 45?° forward to avoid interference.

c. Chevy II--Position the outer tie rod clamp

bosses forward and not more than 45° up or

down from horizontal to avoid interference.

Inner clamps forward and vertical.

d. Corvette--Position inner tie rod clamps with

bolt horizontal and down. Position outer clamps

with bolt vertical and to the rear.

e. Camaro—Position inner tie rod clamps with

open end of clamp and slot in line. Position

relative to ground unimportant. Position outer

clamps with bolt top and 30° either side of ver-

tical. Position relative to slot unimportant.

RIDING HEIGHT AND COIL SPRING SAG

The following check will quickly determine whether or

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

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 3-11

Chevy II (Fig. 14)

Removal

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

support between upper control arm and frame side

rail (fig. 15).

NOTE: Bight side control arm support bracket

is illustrated in Figure 15. For left side, angled

support should be welded to reverse side of

plate.

2.
Raise vehicle and remove wheel and tire.

3.
Disconnect lower shock absorber mounting nuts, lock

washers and rubber washers from lower spring seat.

4.
Remove shock absorber upper mounting bracket

bolts.
Lift bracket and shock absorber assembly

from vehicle (fig. 16).

5.
Remove shock absorber from upper mounting bracket

and remove rubber bushings and washers.

Installation

1.
Assemble upper washer and rubber bushing to shock

absorber rod (refer to Figure 14).

2.
Assemble upper mounting bracket, bushing, washer

and nut to rod. Torque according to Specifications at

the end of this book.

3.
Install rubber washers to shock absorber lower seat

studs and insert shock absorber and upper bracket

assembly into shock absorber access hole, and posi-

tion to the lower spring seat. Install washers, nuts

and torque according to Specifications at the end of

this book.

NOTE: Shock absorber seat upper washers

must correctly pilot into spring seat.

4.
Install upper mounting bracket to spring tower and

torque nuts according to Specifications at the end of

this book.

STABILIZER BAR (FIG. 17)

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle and support both front wheels.

2.
Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm.

Remove stabilizer bar brackets from the frame

(Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette) or from

the front crossmember (Chevy n) and remove

stabilizer.
Fig.
16 - Removing Shock Absorber and Bracket - Chevy II

3.

Disconnect stabilizer link bolts, spacers and rubber

bushings from lower control arms.

4.
Inspect rubber stabilizer link bushings and Stabilizer

insulator bushings for aging. Replace if necessary.

Installation

1.
If new insulators
are necessary, coat stabilizer with

recommended rubber lubricant and slide frame bush-

ings into position.

2.
Insert stabilizer brackets over bushings and connect

to frame. Do not torque at this point. Connect sta-

bilizer ends to link bolts on lower control arms.

Torque bracket bolts and link nuts as shown in the

Specifications.

NOTE: Never get lubricant on outside of frame

stabilizer bar bushings or they may slip out of

brackets.

STRUT ROD (FIG. 18)

Chevrolet and Chevy II

Removal

1.
Raise vehicle to

clearance.
provide sufficient working

TYPICAL OF

CHEVROLET, CHEVELLE AND CAMARO
BRACKET LINK BOLT

CORVETTE
CHEVY H

Fig.
17- Stabilizer Bar

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 3-15

4.
Insert Spring Compressor J-
6874-
4-
5 with Adapters

J-6874-8-9 into upp^r spring tower so that lower

MU"
bolt fits into shock absorber mounting holes in

spring seat (fig. 23). Secure the two lower studs to

the spring seat with nuts.

5.
Fit the tool upper pilot to top of spring and compress

spring by tightening upper nut (fig. 24). Compress

spring until screw is bottomed out.

6. Remove lower spring seat retaining nuts, lift spring

and seat assembly from control arm and guide it

down and out through fender skirt (fig. 25).

Spring Seat Replacement (Fig. 26)

1.
Release spring tension and disconnect spring com-

pressor from spring seat.

2.
Install new spring seat to spring compressor.

Installation

1.
If spring is to be replaced, install new spring into

tool and compress spring until screw is bottomed

out.

NOTE: Spring coil ends must be against spring

stops in upper and lower seats.

2.
Lift spring and tool assembly into place and position

so that the upper spring stop is inboard.

NOTE: Locating tab on upper spring seat may

be flattened before reinstalling spring.

3.
Install lower spring seat to control arm and torque

nuts as shown in the Specifications.

4.
Loosen spring compressor until spring is properly

seated in upper spring tower and remove.

5.
Install shock abosrber as outlined under Shock Ab-

sorber—Installation in this section.

Corvette

Removal

1.
With car on suitable hoist or jack, (support vehicle

by frame so control arms may swing free) remove

wheel and tire assembly, stabilizer bar and shock

absorber. Loosen the lower ball joint to steering

knuckle nut, and the' two lower control arm cross

shaft bushing bolts.

2.
Place Tool J-6874-1 across top of sixth coil (ap-

prox.),
then loosely secure Tool J-6874-2 to the up-

per shoe, with attaching capscrews and lock washers.

The upper shoe "V" notch and lower shoe raised land

should contact spring.

3.
Insert Tool J-6874 up through center of spring and

attach to upper and lower shoe assembly.

4.
Position spacers under shock absorber mounting hole

and against bottom of lower control arm. Install

special bearing washer and Tool J-6874-5. Locate

bearing against spacer and large washer against

bearing. Feed screw up through large washer bear-

ing and spacer and thread into Tool J-6874 and

tighten snugly (fig. 22).

5.
Center shoe assembly on spring and tighten screw

until a very slight compression is placed on spring

(fig. '22). Then firmly tighten down the two cap-

screws securing the upper and lower shoes to lock

these shoes to spring.

6. Turn head of screw until spring is compressed just

enough to clear the spring tower, then remove the

lower ball joint to steering knuckle nut (fig. 22).
NOTE: It may be necessary to assist the

spring out of the spring tower with a pry bar or

a similar tool.

7.
Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering

knuckle and lower the control arm with the com-

pressed spring. Immediately release compression

on spring by backing off long screw. Release spring

and tool and withdraw spring.

CAUTION: The spring force under compres-

sion is very large. Exercise every safety pre-

caution when performing this operation to see

that individuals and materials subject to damage

are removed from the path of the spring when

the control arm is being lowered. Also, the

compressed spring
be relaxed immedi-

ately after lowering the control arm to reduce

the time of exposure to the large compressive

force.

Installation

1.
Position spring with closely coiled end up. Place

Tool J-6874-1 across the top of the sixth coil (ap-

prox.) then loosely secure Tool J-6874-2 to the

upper shoe with attaching capscrews and lock wash-

ers.
The upper shoe MV" notch and lower shoe

raised land should contact spring.

2.
Insert Tool J-6874 up through center of spring and

attach to upper and lower shoe assembly with bolt

and nut.

3.
Set spring in its seat on the lower control arm.

4.
Position spacers centrally under shock absorber

mounting hole and against bottom of lower control

arm. Install bearing, large washer and Tool

J-6874-5.
Locate bearing against spacer and large

washer against bearing. Feed the screw up through

large washer, bearing and spacer and thread into

yoke rod. Tighten snugly, but do not start to draw

down yet

5.
Center the shoe assembly on the spring and tighten

the lag screw until a very slight compression is

placed on spring, then firmly tighten down the two

capscrews securing the upper and lower shoes. This

will lock the shoes to the coil spring.

6. Turn head of screw until spring is compressed just

enough to clear the spring tower.

NOTE: It may be necessary to assist the

spring into the spring tower with a pry bar or

similar tool.

7.
Immediately install the lower ball joint into steering

knuckle and secure in place with attaching nut.

8. Release compression on spring and at the same time

use a drift to guide the coil spring into its proper

seat. End of coils must be 3/8" from coil stops in

spring seat.

9. Tighten the lower ball joint to steering knuckle nut

and lock with cotter key.

10.
Install shock absorber and stabilizer bar.

11.
Install wheel, tire and drum assembly.

12.
Remove car from hoist or jack stands.

13.
Tighten the two lower control cross shaft bushing

bolts to 45-55 lbs. ft. torque.

NOTE: If a suitable adjustable jack-stand is

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL