Work on the rear axle (Opel Vectra B)

Removal the rear shock absorber assembly

Remove the corresponding rear wheel.

Remove the wheel arch (chapter on the body).

Remove the lower shock absorber strut mounting bolt.

Remove the four upper mounting bolts and remove the shock absorber strut.

Use new bolts during installation.

Tightening torques: shock absorber strut at the top on the mounting side of the wheel 55 Nm, shock absorber strut on the trailing arm 150 Nm + 30° to 45°.

Disassembling the shock absorber strut

A spring tensioner is absolutely necessary for this job. Without using a spring tensioner, the fastening nut at the top of the shock absorber piston rod must not be loosened, as the spring is under high pre-tension. The shock absorber parts will fly apart as if in an explosion - risk of injury! In addition, a loosened spring will no longer be installed. Spring tensioners are sold in spare parts stores.

Remove the shock absorber strut.

Place the spring tensioner on the spring coils and compress the spring.

(Source is on the website OpelBook.ru)

Unscrew the mounting nut at the top of the piston rod.

Remove the piston rod attachments. When reassembling, tighten the nut to 20 Nm.

Removal the rear stabilizer

Place the car on jack stands and remove both rear wheels.

Unscrew one mounting bolt on the trailing arm at each end of the stabilizer.

Unscrew both clamps on the cross member.



Tilt the stabilizer slightly and remove.

Installation: Tighten the mounting bolts and nuts to 55 Nm.

Removal the wheel bearing module

In Vectra models, so-called wheel bearing modules are installed on the rear axle. They can be easily replaced without special tools. The disadvantage of this design: the combined part is, of course, more expensive than a separate wheel bearing.

Raise the rear of the vehicle.

Remove the appropriate wheel.

Release the handbrake - the Vectra should be perfectly secured against rolling away.

Remove the brake drum.

On vehicles with rear disc brakes, remove the brake caliper and hang it with the brake hose bolted on so that the hose does not get kinked.

Remove the brake disc.

Unlock and disconnect the wire connectors at the ABS speed sensor.

On the inside of the wheel bearing module, unscrew the four mounting nuts.

Remove the wheel bearing module from the trailing arm.

Screw the wheel bearing module with new nuts.

Tightening torque 50 Nm + 30° to 45°.