suspension CHEVROLET CAMARO 1967 1.G Chassis User Guide

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-3

by means of a lower control arm inner pivot cam; on the

Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette by means of upper control

arm inner support shaft shims.

Caster angle is adjusted, on the Chevrolet and Chevy n

by means of a strut rod which runs from the lower con-

trol arm forward to a frame brace; on the Chevelle,
Camaro and Corvette by means of upper control arm

inner support shaft shims.

A stabilizer bar is used on all Chevelle and Corvette

models. Chevrolet Impalas, station wagons and V-8

engine equipped models are fitted with the stabilizer bar.

UPPER CONTROL ARM

STABILIZER

SPRING
LOWER CONTROL ARM

STEERING KNUCKLE

Fig.
3 - Front Suspension - Corvette

MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS

Maintenance intervals recommended for lubrication of

front suspension components have been fully covered in

Section 0 of this manual. Only actual adjustment proce-

dures will be covered here.

NOTE:
Unless otherwise indicated all proce-

dures will apply to all five vehicles covered in

this manual.

FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT

Proper front wheel bearing adjustment has a definite

bearing on the safe operation of a vehicle. Improperly

adjusted front wheel bearings will result in a lack of

steering stability causing wheel wander, shimmy and ex-

cessive tire wear. Very accurate adjustment is possible

because the spindles are drilled both vertically and hori-

zontally and the adjusting nuts are slotted in all six sides.

NOTE:
Wheel bearings should not
be.
repacked

or adjusted as a part of "New Car Conditioning".
1.
With wheel raised, remove hub cap and dust cap and

then remove the cotter pin from the end of the

spindle.

2.
While rotating wheel, tighten spindle nut to 12 lbs. ft

torque.

3.
Back off adjusting nut one flat and insert cotter pin.

If slot and pin hole do not line up, back off the adjust-

ing nut an additional 1/2 flat or less as required to

insert cotter pin.

4.
Spin the wheel to check that it rolls freely and then

lock the cotter pin by spreading the end and bending

it around.

NOTE:
Bearings should have zero preload and

.001"
to .008" end movement when properly ad-

justed on Chevrolet, Chevelle, Camaro and Cor-

vette; .000" to .004" on Chevy H.

5.
Install dust cap, hub cap or wheel disc and lower

wheel.

6. Perform the same operation on each front wheel.

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-4

SHOCK ABSORBER

5PRING

UPPER

CONTROL

ARM

LOWER

CONTROL

ARM

STRUT ROD

STEERING KNUCKLE

Fig.
4 - Front Suspension - Chevy

STEERING AXIS
VERTICAL

CASTER ANGLE

CASTER
WHEEL PLANE

VERTICAL PLANE

-CAMBER ANGLE

STEERING AXIS

INCLINATION

CAMBER

Fig.
5 - Caster and Camber

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT SUSPENSION 3-5

FRONT END ALIGNMENT

Front end alignment, that is alignment of the inter-

related steering components of the front suspension sys-

tem, must be correctly maintained to assure ease and

stability of steering and satisfactory tire life.

Alignment Preliminary Steps

Several different types of machines are available for

checking all the factors of front end alignment. The in-

structions furnished with each particular machine should

be followed. In all cases, however, checks should be

made with the vehicle level and at curb weight.

Since steering complaints are not always the result of

improper alignment a check should be made to see if any

of the following conditions exist. Any such conditions

should be corrected before proceeding further.

1.
Steering gear loose or improperly adjusted.

2.
Steering gear housing loose at frame.

3.
Excessive wear or play in spherical joints or steer-

ing shaft coupling.

4.
Tie rod or steering connections loose.

5.
Improper front spring heights.

6. Unbalanced or underinflated tires.

7.
Improperly adjusted wheel bearings.

8. Shock absorbers not operating properly.

Wheel alignment should always be made with the vehi-

cle rolled forward taking out any slack in the same man-

ner as when the vehicle is traveling forward.

Caster and Camber Adjustment

NOTE: Before adjusting caster and camber

angles, the front bumper should be raised and

quickly released to allow car to return to its

normal height.

Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette

Caster and camber adjustments are made by means of

shims inserted between the upper control arm inner sup-

port shaft and the support bracket attached to the frame

(fig. 6). Shims may be added, subtracted or transferred

to change the readings as follows:
Fig.
6 - Caster and Camber Adjustment - Chevelle

Typical of Corvette and Camaro

Caster - change shims at either the front or rear of

the shaft.

The addition of shims at the front bolt or removal

of shims at the rear bolt will decrease positive

caster. One shim (1/3 2") will change caster (ap-

prox.) 1/4°.

Camber - change shims at both the front and rear of

the shaft.

Adding an equal number of shims at both front and

rear of the support shaft will decrease positive cam-

ber. One shim (1/32") at each location will move

camber (approx.) 1/5° (Chevelle and Camaro); 1/6°

(Corvette).

TIGHTEN TO LOCK

ADJUSTMENT

Fig.
7 - Caster and Camber Adjustment Points - Chevrolet

CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

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 3-7

CAMARO
CHEVROLET
AND

CORVETTE

LOWER

CONTROL
ARM

CHEVELLE
CHEVY
II

Fig.
9- Checking Riding Height

not the vehicle riding height is correct.

1.
Place the vehicle on a smooth, level floor and bounce

and rock the front end several times. Raise vehicle,

then allow it to settle to a normal height.

2.
Measure the following two distances (fig. 9):

a. From the floor to the center of the inner pivot of

the lower control arm. (On the Chevrolet and

Camaro, this measurement must be made at the

rear end of the pivot.)

b.
Chevrolet--Measure the distance from the floor

to the lower face of the lower steering knuckle

boss for the spherical joint on the same side of

the vehicle.

Chevelle—From the floor to the outer pivot

which is located 1/8" (.12) inboard from the ball

stud boss at the lower surface of the arm.

Chevy II--Measure the distance from the floor

to the lower ball joint seat.
Corvette—Measure the distance from the floor

to the lower face of the lower steering knuckle

boss for the spherical joint on the same side of

the vehicle.

Camaro—From the floor to the lower inboard

edge of ball seat.

3.
The difference between these two measurements

should be as outlined in the Specifications given at

the end of the book with the vehicle at curb weight

(full tank of gas, spare tire and jack in trunk, no

passengers).

4.
Measure the opposite side of the vehicle in the same

manner. The measurements for both sides should

differ no more than 1/2".

5. To correct the height, springs must be replaced.

These springs do not have flat ends and shims should

not be used.

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