Differential Bearing Seals — Removal and Installation (Opel Vectra A)

Note: A ball joint puller is required to perform this step. When reassembling, use new drive shaft thrust ring(s) and locking pin(s) for the lower control arm-to-strut ball joint.

Removal

1. The differential bearing seals can be replaced without removing the transmission as follows.

2. Where applicable, remove the front wheel cover, then loosen the wheel bolts. Apply the handbrake, jack up and support the front of the vehicle on axle stands. Remove the wheel.

3. Remove the locking cotter pin, then unscrew the castle nut of the ball joint connecting the lower arm to the suspension strut.

4. Using a ball joint puller, disconnect the ball joint connecting the lower control arm to the suspension strut.

5. Remove the inner end of the drive shaft from the differential block (or intermediate shaft) as described in Section 8.

Move the drive shaft and tie it to the body with twine or wire. Do not allow the drive shaft to hang under its own weight.

6. Remove the seal from the differential using a screwdriver as a lever.

Installation

7. Lubricate the sealing lip of the new seal with transmission oil, then using a tool of the same diameter, insert the new seal into the differential.

8. Insert the inner end of the drive shaft into the differential as described in Section 8. Use a new snap ring.

9. Install the ball joint connecting the lower arm to the suspension strut, then install the castle nut and tighten it to the specified tightening torque Specifications (Section 10). Secure the nut with a new locking pin.



10. Install the wheel, then lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel bolts completely. Install the wheel cover where applicable.

11. Top up the transmission oil level as described in Section 1.