CHEVROLET CAMARO 1982 Repair Guide

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 861

Fig. 4: Separating the tie rod from the relay rod using a gear puller

Fig. 5: Disconnecting the tie rod from the relay rod

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 862
During production, the installe
d position of the relay rod is carefully controlled to
assure that the rod is at the proper height. Both the left end and the right end of
the relay rod must be held at the sa me height. The side-to-side height is
controlled by adjusting the pos ition of the idler arm
Whenever disconnecting the rela y rod assembly, it is important to first scribe the
position of the idler arm-to-frame, and to reinstall the idler arm in the same
position. Be sure to prevent the idler support from turning in the bushing, since
that motion could result in improper relay rod height.
Whenever replacing the relay rod, or the idler arm, or the Pitman arm, it is
mandatory to establish the correct height.
1. Raise the vehicle and support safely on jackstands.
2. Remove the inner ends of the tie rods from the relay rod.
3. Remove the nut from the relay rod ball stud attachment at Pitman arm.
4. Detach the relay rod from the Pitm an arm by using tool such as J-24319-
01 or equivalent. Shift the steering lin kage as required to free the Pitman
arm from the relay rod.
5. Remove the nut from the idler arm and remove the relay rod from the
idler arm.
To install: 6. Install the relay rod to idler arm, ma king certain idler stud seal is in place.
Use J-29193 or J-29194 or equivalent to seat the tapers. A torque of 15
ft. lbs. (20 Nm) is required. With the tapers seated, remove the tool, then
install a prevailing torque nut, and ti ghten to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm).
7. Raise the end of the rod and insta ll on the Pitman arm. Use J-29193 or J-
29194 or equivalent to seat the tapers. A torque of 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm) is
required. With the tapers seated, remove the tool, then install a prevailing
torque nut, and tighten to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm).
8. Install the tie rod ends to the re lay rod. Lubricate the tie rod ends.
9. Install the damper , if equipped.
10. Set the relay rod height. Torque t he idler arm-to-frame mounting bolts to
61 ft. lbs. (83 Nm).
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Check and, if necessary, adjust front end alignment.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 863
TIE ROD ENDS

Fig. 6: Using a tie rod removal tool
1. Raise the vehicle and support safely on jackstands.
2. Remove the cotter pins from the ball studs and remove the castellated
nuts.
3. Remove the outer ball stud by usi ng the ball stud puller. If necessary, pull
downward on the tie rod to disconnec t it from the steering arm.
4. Remove the inner ball stud from the relay rod using a similar procedure.
5. Remove the tie rod end or ends to be replaced by loosening the clamp
bolt and unscrewing them.
To install: 6. Lubricate tie rod threads with chassi s grease and install new tie rod(s).
Make sure both ends are an equal di stance from the tie rod and tighten
clamp bolts.
7. Make sure ball studs, tapered surf aces, and all threaded surfaces are
clean and smooth, and free of grease. Install seals on ball studs. Install
ball stud in steering arm and relay rod.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 864
8. Rotate both inner and out
er tie rod housings rearward to the limit of ball
joint travel before tightening clamps . Make sure clamp slots and sleeve
slots are aligned before tightening cl amps. Make sure tightened bolts will
be in horizontal position to 45 degrees upward (in the forward direction)
when the tie rod is in its normal positi on. Make sure the tie rod end stays
in position relative to the rod duri ng the tightening operation. Tighten the
clamps, and then return the assembly to the center of its travel.
9. Install ball stud nuts and torque to 35 ft. lbs. (47 Nm) Then tighten (do not
loosen) further as required to align cotter pin holes in studs and nuts.
Install new cotter pins.
10. Lubricate new tie rod ends and lower the vehicle.
POWER STEERING GEAR
ADJUSTMENTS
Adjust the worm bearing preload first, then proceed with the Pitman shaft over-
center adjustment.
WORM BEARING PRELOAD

Fig. 1: Loosening the power steering gear adjuster plug

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 865

Fig. 2: Marking the housing ev en with the adjuster plug hole

Fig. 3: Scribing the second index mark

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 866

Fig. 4: Using a spanner wrench to align the adjuster plug with the second mark
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering gear.
3. Rotate the stub shaft and drain the power steering fluid into a suitable
container.
4. Remove the adjuster plug nut.
5. Turn the adjuster plug in (clock wise) using a suitable spanner wrench
until the adjuster plug and thrust bearing are firmly bottomed in the
housing. Tighten the adjuster plug to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm).
6. Place an index mark on the housi ng even with 1 of the holes in the
adjuster plug.
7. Measure back counterclockwise
1/2 in. (13mm) and place a second mark
on the housing.
8. Turn the adjuster plug counterclock wise until the hole in the adjuster plug
is aligned with the second mark on the housing.
9. Install the adjuster plug nut and using a suitable punch in a notch, tighten
securely. Hold the adjuster plug to ma intain alignment of the marks.
10. Install the steering gear and c onnect the negative battery cable.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 867
Pitman Shaft Over-Center

Fig. 5: Aligning the stub sha ft parallel with the top cover

Fig. 6: Checking the over-center rotational torque
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering gear.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 868
3. Rotate the stub shaft and drain the
power steering fluid into a suitable
container.
4. Turn the Pitman shaft adjuster screw counterclockwise until fully
extended, then turn back 1 full turn.
5. Rotate the stub shaft from stop-to -stop and count the number of turns.
6. Starting at either stop, turn the stub shaft back half the total number of
turns. This is the "Center" posit ion of the gear. When the gear is
centered, the flat on the stub sha ft should face upward and be parallel
with the side cover, and the master spline on the Pitman shaft should be\

in line with the adjuster screw.
7. Rotate the stub shaft 45 degrees each side of the center using a suitable
torque wrench with the hand le in the vertical position. Record the worm
bearing preload measured on or near the center gear position.
8. Adjust the over-center drag torque by loosening the adjuster locknut and
turning the Pitman shaft adjuster screw clockwise until the correct drag
torque is obtained: Add 6-10 inch lbs. (0.7-1.1 Nm) of torque to the
previously measured wo rm bearing preload torque. Tighten the adjuster
locknut to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm). Prev ent the adjuster screw from turning
while tightening the adju ster screw locknut.
9. Install the steering gear and c onnect the negative battery cable.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 7: Steering gear removal

1. Disconnect the negative battery cabl e. Remove the coupling shield.
2. Remove the retaining bolts at t he steering coupling to steering shaft
flange.
3. Remove the Pitman arm nut and wa sher. Mark the relation of the arm
position to the shaft.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 869
4. Remove Pitman arm using spec
ial tool J-6632 or its equal.
5. Remove the steering box to fram e bolts. Remove the steering box.
On vehicles with power steering, remo ve the fluid hoses and cap them to
prevent foreign material from entering the system.
To install:
6. Position the steering box and secure with the steering box-to-frame bolts.
7. Install the Pitman arm to the matchmarks made earlier.
8. Install the Pitman arm nut and washer.
9. Install the retaining bolts at the st eering coupling to steering shaft flange.
10. Install the coupling shield.
11. Connect the negative battery cable.
POWER STEERING PUMP
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: Pulley removal

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 870

Fig. 2: Steering pump removal; V6

Fig. 3: Steering pump removal; V8
1. Remove the hoses at the pump and tape the openings shut to prevent
contamination. Position the disconnec ted lines in a raised position to
prevent leakage.
2. Remove the pump belt. Remove the pump pulley, as required
3. Loosen the retaining bolts and any braces, and remove the pump.
To install: 4. Install the pump on the engine with the retaining bolt handtight.
5. Connect and tighten the hose fittings.