Front Lower Frame — Removal and Installation (Opel Vectra B)

Location of the front side lower frame mounting bolt

Removal

1. Set the wheels to move straight ahead.

2. In the car, unscrew the bolt that secures the lower part of the intermediate shaft of the steering column to the steering gear pinion. Remove the shaft from the pinion and move it to the side.

3. Using a syringe, suck the fluid out of the power steering reservoir.

4. On manual transmission models, disconnect the shift linkage from the transmission.

5. On gasoline models, disconnect the oxygen sensor electrical connector.

6. Attach the power unit to the lifting mechanism and lift it so that the weight of the power unit is supported by the lifting mechanism.

7. Remove the radiator grille and use wire to tie the radiator to the air deflector.

8. Remove the front bumper.

9. Raise the front of the car and secure it on stands. Remove both front wheels.

10. Unscrew the nuts and disconnect the anti-roll bar links from the front struts.

11. Remove the steering rods from the steering knuckles.

12. Remove the clamp bolts securing the front lower arm joints to the steering knuckles.



13. Using a suitable lever, move the lower front suspension arms down and remove the ball joint pins from the steering knuckle. If the ball joint pin is tight in the steering knuckle, use a screwdriver or thin chisel as a wedge and loosen the mounting clamp.

14. Remove the exhaust pipe.

15. Unscrew the three bolts securing the rear support of the power unit to the gearbox.

16. On models with air conditioning, disconnect the air conditioning lines from the lower frame.

17. Disconnect the power steering lines from the right side of the lower frame.

18. Using a lifting device, support the power unit.

19. Remove the bolts securing the front unit support to the lower frame.

20. Remove the lower frame mounting bolts. Lower the lower frame slightly and unscrew the power steering lines from the steering gear.

21. Lower the lower frame and remove from under the vehicle.

Installation

Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal.