Transverse steering rod — removal and installation (Opel Astra F)

The tie rod can either be removed leaving the link in place or removed as an assembly with the tie rod link.

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

If the transverse steering rod needs to be removed completely together with the adjusting link, then the ball joint of the suspension strut and the rod should be disconnected, as indicated above in the previous section.

If the tie rod needs to be removed without the adjusting link, loosen the tie rod clamp bolt that secures it to the link.

Remove the lock plate from the steering gear to tie rod end mounting bolts, then loosen and remove the bolts, washers and spacer plate.

Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following.

The steering gear lock plate must be replaced during installation.

If the tie rod is installed as a complete unit, connect the tie rod ball joint to the strut and tighten the new self-locking nut as required.

If the tie rod is being installed with the link already attached to the vehicle, screw the threaded portion of the rod into approximately the same position as it was before removal and tighten the bolt.

(Material copied from this portal www.opelbook.ru)

After finishing the work, check the installation (collapse, convergence) front wheels and adjust them if necessary. There is no harm in running the car a little to check the wheel alignment.