Removal and installation the shock absorber strut (Opel Kadett D)

Removal

Engage the gear, apply the handbrake. Remove the cotter pin from the drive shaft.

Attention: The car must be supported by supports. Otherwise, there is a risk of accident.

Loosen the wheel bolts and lift the car.

The wheel has been removed.



Use a chisel to knock off the protective caps from the brake caliper bolts.

Unscrew the brake caliper from the steering knuckle and hang it from the body with a wire.

Caution: Do not unscrew the brake hose. The brake system remains closed.

Loosen the cotter pins on the tie rod joint and unscrew them (since August 1981, self-locking nuts have been used). Remove the tie rod joint using a standard removal tool.





Remove the retaining clips from the ball joint of the control arm, unscrew the castle nut. Remove the ball joint using a standard removal tool.



Pull the drive shaft out of the front wheel hub by hand. If this is not possible, press it out using a regular wheel hub puller. Hang the drive shaft on the body using a wire.



Open the engine crankcase and unscrew the shock absorber strut from the upper support (arrow) and remove it downwards.

Installation

Insert the rack and secure with new self-locking nuts to a torque of 30 Nm.

Lubricate the drive shaft gear with transmission oil.

Insert the drive shaft into the gear engagement of the wheel hub.

Caution: Use a new washer and castle nut. Screw the castle nut onto the shaft.

Insert the ball joint from below onto the lever and tighten the crown nut to 75 Nm. If the cotter pin does not fit, tighten the nut further and secure with the cotter pin.



Insert the ball end of the steering rod and tighten it with a new self-locking nut to 60 Nm.

Tighten the brake caliper with a torque of 95 Nm.

Note: First clean the bolts and apply Loctite 262 to them. Then install new protective caps on the caliper bolts. See the picture above.

Screw on the wheel, lower the car.

Apply the handbrake. Engage the gear.

Secure the drive shaft with a new washer and crown nut to 100 Nm. Then loosen the nut and tighten it again to 20 Nm. In this position, place the key on the crown nut and turn it 90° (1/4 turn).

Caution: If the cotter pin does not fit, the nut should be loosened rather than tightened.

Secure the nut with a cotter pin.

Tighten the wheel bolts crosswise to 90 Nm.