Chevrolet CAMARO 1979 Service Manual page 314

3 C . 1 8 F R O N T S U S P E N S I O N
4. InstallioolJ-23742-l
belweentheballstudsândturn
threaded end of tool ùntil the stud is free of the sieering
knuckl€.
NOTICE: If  hoist is not used for this operation the
lower control arm must be suppofied so the chassis
spring cannot force the arm down.
5. Remov€ the lower stud nùt.
6. Pull outward on the bottom of th€ tire and at the
sam€ time push the tire and wheel assembly upward to fiee
the knuckle from the ball stud.
7. R€mov€ the wheel and tire.
8. Lift up on the upper control ârm, with the knuckle
and hub âssembly attached, ând place a block of wood
between the frame and upper control arm. Do tot pull on
the brâke hose when lifting the knuckle and hub âssembly.
â. Remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle
only if it is necessâry.
9. Place tool J-9519-10 and J-9519-7 in position.
10. Turn hex bolt until the lower ball joint is pushed
out of the control arm and remove tools,
Inspêction
A visual wear indicator is locâted on the lower ball
joint. The condition ofthe balljoint may be checked by the
simple procedure thât follows. Be sure to follow this
procedur€ accùrately to avoid unnecessâry ball joint
The lower bâll joints lre inspected for wear by visuâl
observâtion â]one. Wear is indicated by the protrusion of
the l/2" diàmeter nipple into which the grease fitting is
threaded. This rcund nipple proj€cts .050" beyond the
surface of the bâll joint cover on a new, unworn joint.
Normal wear will result in the surfâce of this nipple
r€treâting very slowly iûward.
To inspect, rais€ vehicle on â hoist. Vehicle must b€
supported on wheels or frâme so that lower ball joint is in
a loaded condition.
To inspect for weâr, rvipe the greâse fitting ând nipple
free of dirt. observe or scrape a screwdriver scâle ôr
fingernail across the cover. If the roùnd nipple is flush or
irside rhe cover surfâce, replace the ball joint. See Figure
3C-22-
If the lower ball joint wear indicator shows thât the
lowerjoint shouid be replaced, it mây be advisable to also
repiace the upperjoinas, unless therc is obvious reâson for
early replacement of the lower joints, such as torn seal or
dÂmage.
Ball stud tightness in knuckle boss cân be checked by
shaking wheel and observe or feel for movement of stud end
and,/or nut at kDuckle boss, or by r€moveing cotter pin to
checktorque. Looseness cân mean abent stud or an "opened
ùp' hole in knuckle. Defectiv€ parts must be replaced
lnstallation
CAUTION: See CAUTION on pago 1 of
this ssction i6garding the fâstgners
reforred to in steps 5 and 6.
L Position bâll joint in the lower control a.m ând
install Tools J'9519-10 and J-9519-9 as shown in Figure
3C-23. Position bleed vent in rubber boot of the new ball
joint facing inward.
2. Turn down on hex head bolt until the new bâlljoint
is seated in the control atm and then remove the tools.
3. Turn lhe ball stud cotter pin hole fore and âft.
4. Remove the block ofwood holding the upper control
arm up oùt of the way-
NOTICET Inspect the iapered hole in the steeang
knuckle. Remoye âny dirt ând ifany out-of-roundness,
defonnâtion, or damage is not€d, the knuckle MUST
be replaced.
5. Mate the bail stùd to the steering knuckle and install
the stud nut. Torque the nut and instâll a new cotter pin.
Never back off nut to aligt the cotter pin, always tighten
nut to next slot that lines up wiih hole in siud.
ô. lnclall a lube firring and lube thejoin.
7. Install wheel and tire and ti€ rod end ifremoved to
ste€ring knuckl€, and iower vehicle to floor.
S T E E R I N G K N U C K L E
It is recommended thât th€ vehicle be rais€d ând
supported on a twin-post hoist so that the front coil spring
remâins compressed, yet the wheel and steering knùckle
assembly remâin accessible. Ifa frame hoist is used, support
the lower control arm with an âdjustable jack stand to retâin
spring in the curb height position.
Removal
1. Râise vehicle on a hoist and sùppolt the lower
2. Remove the wheel ând tire âssembly.
3. Remove the biake caliper and brake disc.
4. Remove the backing plâte or splash shieid.
NOTICE: Hang the brake backing plate or caliper
âssembly from some pârt of the suspensjon assembly.
Do not allow the unit to hang by the hydmuiic line or
dâmâge may result-
5. Remove upper and lower ball stud cotter pins.
6. Remove ball studs from steering knuckle using Tool
J-23742. See "Bali Joint Removal."
F i s . 3 C - 2 1 - F e m o v n 9 L o w e r B â l l . l o i r t { B - A - F - x ) Î o m L . C . A .