Rear Suspension Tail Arm (DOHC Models) — Removal and Installation (Opel Vectra A)

Removal

1. Loosen the rear wheel bolts, block the front wheels, then jack up and support the rear of the vehicle on axle stands. Remove the wheel.

2. Working under the rear of the vehicle, remove the bracket and release the brake line from the bracket on the trailing arm. Note that the locking bracket also supports the ABS sensor wire.

3. Remove the two mounting bolts and remove the brake caliper and ABS sensor bracket from the brake backing plate. Move the caliper and ABS sensor bracket to the side and tie them to the bottom of the car with twine or wire.

4. Disconnect the handbrake cable and return spring from the handbrake control lever as described in Section 9.

5. Remove the handbrake cable from the bracket on the diagonal arm.

6. Disconnect the stabilizer bar tip from the diagonal arm by unscrewing the fastening nut. Remove the rubber and spacer bushings.

7. Support the diagonal arm with a jack, then unscrew and remove the bolt and washer securing the lower end of the shock absorber to the diagonal arm.

8. Carefully lower the jack enough to allow the suspension spring and buffers to be removed. Note the correct orientation of the spring. Once the spring is removed, remove the jack.

9. Ensure that all relevant hoses, pipes, cables and wires are positioned away from the trailing arm.

10. Remove the two self-locking nuts and bolts securing the front end of the trailing arm to the suspension crossmember, then remove the trailing arm from under the vehicle.



11. To remove and install the rear wheel hub components, see. Chapter 23.

12. The trailing arm mounting bushings can be replaced using a tube or socket, nut, bolt and washer. To make it easier to remove the old bushings, the protruding ends of the bushings can be cut off using a sharp knife. Wet the new bushings with a little soapy water to make installation easier.

Installation

13. Install the front end of the trailing arm into place in the suspension crossmember bracket.

14. Install the trailing arm mounting bolts, screw on the new self-locking nuts, but do not tighten them completely at this stage. Note that the bolt heads must face each other.

15. Support the diagonal arm with a jack, then install the suspension spring and buffers.

16. Carefully raise the jack so that the lower shock absorber mounting bolt (with washer) can be installed. Tighten the bolt to the specified tightening torque Specifications, then remove the jack.

17. Install the rubber and spacer bushings and connect the stabilizer bar tip to the diagonal arm. Tighten the mounting nut to the specified tightening torque Specifications holding the bolt with a wrench.

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18. Install the handbrake cable into the bracket on the diagonal arm and connect the end of the cable and the return spring to the handbrake control lever, then check the cable adjustment as described in Section 9.

19. Install the brake caliper and ABS sensor bracket onto the brake support plate and tighten the mounting bolts to the specified tightening torque Specifications.



20. Install the brake pipe into the bracket on the diagonal arm and secure it with the clamp.

21. Install the wheel, then lower the car to the ground. Tighten the wheel bolts completely.

22. Release the handbrake and rock the rear of the car to ensure the suspension components are properly seated.

23. Block the front wheels and place a 70 kg load on each front seat. Working under the rear of the vehicle, tighten the trailing arm mounting nuts to the specified torque Specifications, holding the bolts with a wrench.