Tie Rod/Ball Joint — Removal and Installation (Opel Astra F)

Apply the handbrake, then jack up the front of the car and secure it on the stands under the axle. Remove the running wheel.

Loosen the tie rod clamp bolt that secures the end of the tie rod to the adjusting threaded link.

Remove the self-locking nut from the ball joint of the suspension strut and the end of the tie rod.



Using a tool, separate the ball joint of the suspension strut and the end of the transverse steering rod (fig. 10.38.).



Note the position of the tie rod end on the adjuster link by marking with paint or tape, or by counting the number of exposed threads, then remove the tie rod end. For reference, the right side of the tie rod is marked with an R.

Close the threaded connection of the rod with the adjusting link, setting them in approximately the same position they were in before removal.



Connect the tie rod end ball joint to the strut and tighten the new self-locking nut to specification.

Tighten the tie rod end clamp bolt.

Install the running wheel and lower the vehicle to the ground.

Check the alignment of the front wheels as mentioned in one of the sections above, adjust them if necessary. It is useful to run the car a little to check the alignment.

(Article posted on a web portal: OPELBOOK.ru)