Chevrolet CAMARO 1979 Service Manual page 304

3C.A
FRONT SUSPENSION
Vehiclê Load Conditions
Noie âny excepdonal load conditions under which the
owner normâlly opeÉtes the vehicle; such as, lârge tool
boxes full of tools, trunk full of books, erc. tf exceptionâl
loading is appafent, check the distribution of this weight.
Note if it is âll toward one side of the vehicle or at the
extreme rear of the trunk. Reposition load as required to
obtain a more unifonn weight distribution.
Check Vehicle Ride and Handling
After compleiing previous checks, ride vehicl€ with
owner to d€termine if problen has been corrected or to
definitely establish type of problem that still exists- If
problen still exists (poor hândling, bottoming, noise, ride
sway. elc.), Proceeo.
Inspecting and Testing the Shocks
Three procedures are included in this st€p. Th€y are
(a) Bounce Test, (b) lnsp€cting Shock Mounlings for Noise
(Looseness) and (c) Manually Operating Shocks 10
Determine if Shocks âre weak, Leaking Hydraulic Fluid,
and,/of if Shocks have ân lnt€rnal Noise Condition.
Test procedures (b) ând (c) require vehicle to be on a
hoisi thât supporrs wheels or rear axle housing and front
Bounce Test
This is only â comparison type tesr to h€lp locâte the
suspected shock or noise condition before proceeding.
Test eâch front ând reâr shock bybouncingeach corner
of the vehicLe. This can usually be done by lifting up and
pushing down on the end of the bumper near each corner
of the vehicle unlil maximum movement up ând down is
reâched. Then let go of bumper and observe if the up and
down motion stops very quickly. If up and down motron
continues longer ât one corner when compared to opposiie
corner (example, both front shocks), the one having the
longer up and down motion mây be suspect. Do not
cornpare front to rear. Ilcomplâint is noise, this test should
help 1o locâte the suspected area.
Inspecting Shock Mountings
lf noisy ând,/or loose shock mountings are suspected,
plâce vehicle on hoist that supports wheels and check all
mountings for the following conditions:
(a) Worn or defective grommets
(b) Loose mounting nuts
(c) Possible interference condition
(d) Bump stops lrlissing
If no apparen! defects are noted in this step but noise
condition still exists when v€hicle is bounced up and down,
Inspecting Shocks for Leaks and
Mânuâlly Operâring Shocks
This procedure is
sub'divided into two general areas, (1) Insp€cting Shocks
lor Loss of Hydrâulic Fluid and (2) Manually Operating
Shock. It should âid the t€chnician to localize defective
shocks caused by intemal noise in the shock, w€ak, ieaking,
Inspecting Shocks for
Possible Loss of
Hydrâulic Fluid
l. Disconnect each shock lowe! mountirg as .equired
and pull down on lhe shock until it is fu1ly extend€d.
SÏ COVER
SEAL CI]VEN Afi
AT T(]P Of SHOCK
ABSORBEfr
fNONT SHOCX ÂBSOBBTN BTAfl SHOCK AESl]BBEB
F i g 3 C - 7 . . S e a 1 C o v e f A r e â o r S h o c k
2. Inspect shocks for leaks in seal cover area. Shock
fluid is â very thin hydraulic lluid ând hâs â charâcteristic
odor and dârk brown tint.
Certain precautions should be observed when
inspecting shocks for leâks:
L Shocks may hâve glossy paint on them. Do not
confuse this paint with â leâk condition.
2. A slight trace of shock fluid around the seai cover
âreâ is not câus€ for replacement.
The shock seâl is engineered to permit â dighl seepâge
to lubricate the rod. The shock absorber has reserve fluid
to compensate for the slight seepage.
3. Shocks are sometimes incorrectly diâgnosed as
leakers due to oil sprây originating from some other source.
If in doubt, wipe the wet area from ând manually operat€
shock âs described in St€p (2). Fiuid will reâppear ifshock
is leaking.
Manually Operating Shocks
It may be necessary with certain types of shock
mountings 10 labricâle a bûcket that can be inslâli€d on a
shocktoenable atechnician to securely grip theshock when
inânùal1y operating the shock. See Figùre 3C-8 for
iuggesred methods of providing temporarl grip.
This test should help the mechânic to isolâte the
following shock defects:
. binding condition intemally
. verify leaking shock
. improper or defective valving
(a) If suspected problen is in front shocks, disconnect
both front shock lower mountings and stroke each shock
asfollows: Grip the lolter end ofthe shock s€curely and pull
down (rebound stroke) th€n push up (compression stroke).
The control arms will limit rhe movement of the front
shocks during the compression stroke- Compare ihe
rebound resistânce between both front shocks, then
compare the compression resistance. If a noticeable
difference can be felr du.ing either stroke, usuâlly lhe shock
having the least resistânce is at fâult.