CHEVROLET CAMARO 1982 Repair Guide

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 821
If a press is not availabl
e, start the lug stud through the bore in the hub, then
position about 4 flat washers over t he stud and thread the lug nut. Hold the
hub/rotor while tightening the lug nut, and the stud should be drawn into
position. MAKE SURE THE STUD IS FU LLY SEATED, then remove the lug nut
and washers.
7. Install the rotor and adjust the wheel bearings.
8. Install the brake caliper and pads.
9. Install the wheel, then remove the jackstands and carefully lower the
vehicle.
10. Tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque.
WITH DRUM BRAKES 1. Raise the vehicle and safely su pport it with jackstands, then remove the
wheel.
2. Remove the brake drum.
3. If necessary to provide clearance, re move the brake shoes, as outlined in
Brakes of this repair guide.

Fig. 4: Exploded view of t he drum, axle flange and stud

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 822

Fig. 5: Use a C-clamp and socket to press out the stud

Fig. 6: Force the stud onto the axle flange using washers and a lug nut
4. Using a large C-clamp and socket, pre ss the stud from the axle flange.
5. Coat the serrated part of the stud with liquid soap and place it into the
hole.
To install: 6. Position about 4 flat washers over the stud and thread the lug nut. Hold
the flange while tightening the lug nut, and the stud should be drawn into
position. MAKE SURE THE STUD IS FULLY SEATED, then remove the
lug nut and washers.
7. If applicable, install the brake shoes.
8. Install the brake drum.
9. Install the wheel, then remove the jackstands and carefully lower the
vehicle.
10. Tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 823
MACPHERSON STRUT FR
ONT SUSPENSION

Fig. 1: MacPherson strut front suspension

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 824
1982-92 Camaros are equipped wit
h a front suspension consisting of a pivoting
lower control arm on which are mounted a coil spring and a MacPherson strut.
The strut and spring are separate. The spring upper end bears on a fixed
crossmember; the strut upper end is loca ted in a strut tower on the fender.
COIL SPRINGS
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: Removing the coil spring
1. Raise the front of the vehi cle and support it on jackstands.
2. Remove the road wheel(s).
3. Disconnect the stabilizer link from the lower control arm.
4. If the steering gear hinders remova l procedures, detach the unit and
move it out of the way.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 825
5. Disconnect the tie rod from the
steering knuckle using a ball joint
remover.
6. Using an internal fit coil spring co mpressor, compress the coil spring so
that it is loose in its seat.
CAUTION - Be sure to follow manufacturer' s instructions when using spring
compressor. Coil springs in a comp ressed state contain enormous energy
which, if released accidentally, could cause serious injury.
7. To remove the coil spring, disc onnect the lower control arm from the
crossmember at the pivot bolts. If additional clearance is necessary,
disconnect the lower control arm from the steering knuckle at the ball
joint.
To install: 8. Compress the coil spring until spri ng height is the same as when
removed, then position the spring on the control arm. Make sure the
lower end of the coil spring is properly positioned in the lower control arm
and that the upper end fits correctly in its pad.
9. Connect the lower control arm from t he steering knuckle at the ball joint.
Connect the lower control arm from t he crossmember at the pivot bolts
and install the coil spring.
10. Connect the tie rod to the steering knuckle.
11. Attach the steering gear unit.
12. Connect the stabilizer link to the lower control arm.
13. Install the wheel(s).
14. Lower the vehicle.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 826
STRUTS
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: Strut removal

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 827

Fig. 2: Matchmarking t he strut brace position

Fig. 3: Removing the strut brace nuts

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 828

Fig. 4: Lifting out the strut
1. Place the ignition key in the unlock ed position so that the front wheels
can be moved.
2. From inside the engine compartm ent, remove the upper strut to upper
mount nut.
CAUTION - Do not attempt to move the ve hicle with the upper strut fastener
disconnected.
3. Raise the front of the vehicl e and position safety stands under the
vehicle.
4. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
5. Remove the brake caliper without disconnecting the fluid hose, and hang
out of the way on a wire. Do not allo w the caliper to hang by its fluid
hose.
6. Remove the two lower bolts attachi ng the strut to the steering knuckle.
7. Lift the strut up from the steering k nuckle to compress the rod, then pull
down and remove the strut.
To install: 8. Half extend the rod through th e upper mount, then hand-start the upper
fastener, engaging as many threads as possible.
9. Extend the strut and position it onto the steering knuckle.
10. Install the lower mount bolts hand-tight.
11. Tighten the upper fastener fully.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 829
12. Fully tighten the lower bolts onl
y when the front suspension is on the
ground. Torque the steering knuckle-to-strut nuts to 125 ft. lbs. (170 Nm)
followed by a 120 degree turn. Do not exceed a final torque of 148 Ft.
lbs. (200 Nm).
13. Install the brake caliper
14. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
15. Lower the front of the vehicle.
16. From inside the engine compartm ent, tighten the upper strut to upper
mount nut to 44 ft. lbs. (60 Nm).
17. Have the front end aligned.
OVERHAUL
The OEM domestic struts are serviced by replacement of the entire unit. There
is no strut cartridge to replace.
LOWER BALL JOINT
INSPECTION
Before performing this inspection, make sure the wheel bearings are adjusted
correctly and that the control arm bushings are in good condition.
1. Jack the car up under the front lower control arm at the spring seat.
2. Raise the car until t here is 1-2 in. (25-51mm) of clearance under the
wheel.
3. Insert a bar under the wheel and pr y upward. If the wheel raises more
than
1/8 in. (3mm), the ball joints are worn. Determine if the lower ball
joint is worn by visual inspec tion while prying on the wheel.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: Lower ball joint replacement

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 830
To prevent component dam
age, an on-car ball joint press, such as Kent-Moore
tool J-9519-23 should be used.
1. Raise and safely support the vehicle, then remove the wheel.
2. Support the lower control arm spring seat with a jack.
3. Loosen the lower ball stud nut. Break the ball stud loose. Remove the
ball stud nut.
4. Remove the ball stud from the steering knuckle. Support the steering
knuckle aside using a hanger or wire.
5. Using a ball joint press, remove the ball joint from the lower control arm.
To install: 6. Install the new ball joint, using the press.
7. Install the ball stud in the steering knuckle boss.
8. Install the nut on the ball stud, ti ghtening to 77 ft. lbs. (105 Nm) on all
models. Continue to tighten the nut until the cotter pin holes align and
install the pin. Do not back o ff the nut to align the holes.
9. Install the lube fitting and grease the new joint.