Every 15,000 km or every 12 months.
Front suspension and adjustment check
1. Jack up the front of the vehicle and support it securely on axle stands.
2. Visually inspect the ball joint dust caps and steering rack pinion boots for wear or deterioration. Any wear on these components will result in loss of lubricant, which will cause rapid deterioration of the ball joints or steering gear.
3. On vehicles with power steering, check the hoses for chafing or wear, the pipes and hose connections for leaks. Also check the rubber steering boots for signs of fluid leakage.
4. Take the wheel from the top and bottom and try to pump it (see illustration). There may be a little play, but if it is large, further investigation is necessary. Continue pumping the wheel while an assistant presses the brake pedal. If the play is now eliminated or reduced, the hub bearings are faulty. If there is still play, there is wear in the suspension joints.
5. Now grab the wheel by the sides and try to rock it as before. Any movement can be caused by worn hub bearings or steering tie rod ball joints. If the inner or outer ball joint is worn, there will be obvious visual movement.
6. Using a large screwdriver or flat bar, check the suspension for wear on the upper bushings by lifting the suspension components. There should be some movement since the bushings are made of rubber, but excessive wear should be obvious. Also check the condition of all visible rubber bushings.
(Material provided by this website: OPELBOOK.ru)
7. With the vehicle on its wheels, have an assistant turn the steering wheel back and forth one-eighth of a turn. There should be a small amount of play between the steering wheel and the wheels. If this is not the case, inspect the joints and bushings described previously, and also check the universal joints of the steering column for wear and the rack and pinion mechanism itself.
Checking the shock absorber/suspension strut
Note: Suspension struts/shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs.
8. Check for fluid leakage around the strut/shock absorber housing. If leakage is found, the strut/shock absorber must be replaced.
9. The effectiveness of the strut/shock absorber can be checked by rocking the car on each side. The car should return to its normal position. If the car continues to rock, the strut/shock absorber is probably faulty. Also inspect the upper and lower strut/shock mounts for wear.
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