Note: When installing, use new steering gear clamp to bulkhead bolts and steering gear tie rod end bolt to steering gear connecting plates.
Removal
1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
2. On carbureted models, remove the air cleaner from the carburetor to improve access. On some models, you may need to remove the coolant expansion tank and/or brake master cylinder bolts to gain access to the right steering gear mounting clamp.
3. Set the front wheels in the straight ahead position.
4. Using a screwdriver as a lever, remove the connecting plate(s) from the bolts securing the steering rod to the steering gear, then unscrew the bolts and remove the washers and spacer plate (see illustrations).
5. If the steering gear is equipped with a shock absorber, unscrew the clamp assembly bolts from the steering gear and remove the shock absorber.
6. Working in the driver's footwell, remove the lower trim panel.
7. On models with tilt steering column adjustment, move the steering column to the fully raised position.
8. Loosen and remove the upper tie bolt securing the steering shaft to the flexible coupling.
9. Working in the engine compartment, unscrew the bolts of the two clamps that hold the steering gear to the bulkhead, then remove the steering gear from the left side of the engine compartment (see illustration). It may be necessary to have an assistant to help release the flexible coupling from the steering gear shaft when removing the steering gear. Note that on some models, various wires and hoses may be attached to the steering gear. Be sure to remove all such components before removing the steering gear.
Bulkhead
10. Inspect the steering gear assembly for signs of wear or damage. Make sure the rack moves freely and evenly over its full length, with no signs of excessive play between the steering gear pinion and the rack. The steering gear assembly housing components can be overhauled, but this task should be left to your Opel dealer.
11. The only components that can be easily replaced by a car enthusiast are the steering gear boots, the ball joints of the tie rods and the tie rods themselves. The procedures for replacing the tie rod, tie rod ends and steering gear boots are described in Chapters 36, 43 and 44.
Installation
12. Perform installation in reverse order, paying attention to the following.
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13. Use new mounting bolts to secure the steering gear clamps to the bulkhead (see illustration).
14. The connecting plate(s) of the bolts securing the steering rods to the steering gear must be replaced during installation.
15. Finally, check the steering wheel alignment as described in Chapter 31.
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