Removal and installation front wheel drive shafts (Opel Kadett E)

Removal

Raise the front of the car and remove the front wheel.

Block the wheel hub using the KM 468 device or a steel plate secured with two wheel mounting bolts and resting against the support.

Remove the cotter pin and unscrew the hub nut.

Loosen the nut of the ball joint pin of the front suspension arm and disconnect the arm from the steering knuckle.

On vehicles with gearboxes of types "F10" and "F13" using devices KM 460-2 for the left shaft (see photo) or KM 460-1 for the right shaft, and on vehicles with gearboxes of types "F16" and "F20" using device KM 503 for the left shaft and a rod of suitable diameter for the right shaft, remove the tails of the inner joints of the wheel drive shafts from the axle gears, using a hammer weighing 1500 g to fit the devices onto the shafts, ensuring that the device installed on the right shaft is in a vertical position, and the marking applied to the device is facing the gearbox. After disconnecting the shafts, immediately plug the holes in the gearbox housing to prevent significant oil leakage.



Remove the splined shaft end from the wheel hub. If this is difficult, use a universal puller such as Kukko N5 38 A.

Installation

Check the cleanliness of the drive shaft support shoulder that contacts the inner surface of the hub.

Lubricate the splined end of the shaft with gearbox oil.

Insert the splined end of the drive shaft into the splines of the hub and tighten the hub nut with the washer.

Lubricate the inner diameter of the gearbox housing holes with rear axle oil.

Install a new locking ring on the gearbox side of the wheel drive shaft and insert the splined end of the inner joint into the axle gear, then use a screwdriver to pull the shaft towards you until the locking ring snaps into place, resting the screwdriver on the weld, not on the joint housing.

Connect the suspension arm to the steering knuckle, tighten and cotter pin the arm ball joint nut.

Tighten the hub nut and secure it with a cotter pin as described in the section "Front suspension".

Add oil to the gearbox.