Pontiac firebird 1968 - Installation

3-8
1968 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
J-7592-2 (LOCKING CLIP)
J-7592-7
(CAST PLATE) BEARING
Fig. 3-9 Pontiac Coil Spring Compressor J 7592
9. Support upper control arm and steering
knuckle assembly by inserting a wood block between
upper control and frame.
10. Carefully lower jack, allowing outer end of
lower control arm to swing down until spring is free,
remove spring.
INSTALLATION
1. If spring Is to be replaced, assemble com-
pressor J 7592 on a new spring (Fig. 3-9).
2. Replace spring by placing one end in the frame
seat and the other end in the lower control arm seat.
NOTE: Be sure that spring is positioned so that
end of coil can be seen through small drain hole
in lower control arm spring seat.
3. Place jack under lower control arm and care-
fully raise until lower ball stud can be connected to
steering knuckle. Tighten ball stud to 50 lb. ft.
torque on Pontiac. Install cotter pin or continue to
tighten until cotter pin can be installed.
FRONT SPRING—(TEMPEST)
REMOVAL
1. Raise front end of car-supporting so that lower
control arm hangs free.
2. Remove wheel and drum assembly.
3. Remove shock absorber.
4. Disconnect stabilizer link from lower control
arm.
5. Using tool J 22654 compress spring until coil
leaves lower control arm, Fig. 3-10. Insert plate in
the lowest possible coil.
Fig. 3-10 Tern pest Coil Spring Compressor J 22654
4. Carefully loosen and remove spring
compressor.
5. Lower and remove jack under lower control
arm.
6. Install shock absorber. Tighten lower screws
to 20 lb. ft. torque and upper nut to 15 lb. ft. torque.
7. Connect stabilizer link to lower control arm.
Tighten nut to 15 lb. ft.
8. Replace wheel and drum. Adjust wheel bearing
as illustrated in Fig. 3-3.
CAUTION: Do not compress spring coils to the
point of complete contact with each other.
6. Remove backing plate from steering knuckle
and position backing plate out of way.
CAUTION: Brake line is still connected. Support
backing plate so that line is not damaged.
7. Disconnect lower ball stud from steering
knuckle, using tool J 6627 (Fig. 3-6) and position
backing plate and steering knuckle out of the way.