Removal and installation the control arm of the suspension (Opel Vectra C)

Removal and installation the control lever

1. Raise the car on a lift.

2. On models equipped with xenon headlights, unscrew the 3 bolts and remove the headlight range adjustment sensor from the left control lever (see accompanying illustration).



3. Check the hydraulic support of the lever (see below).

4. Unscrew the Torx bolt (see accompanying illustration) clamp securing the outer ball joint of the control arm to the steering knuckle. Unscrew the axial bolt of the inner front support of the control arm.





5. Remove 2 bolts (see accompanying illustration) securing the hydraulic support arm to the subframe. Pull the control arm down with force and separate the arm from the steering knuckle.

Note: Do not use any tool to separate the lever.

6. Remove the control lever.

7. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal. Pre-clean the mating surfaces and the holes of the bolted connections on the lever and subframe. Only new self-locking bolts should be used for fastening. Initially, the bolts fastening the inner bearings of the lever to the subframe are tightened manually, and then, after installation and tightening of the clamp bolt fastening the outer (ball) bearing of the lever, they are tightened with the required force (see Specifications).

Checking the fit of the hydraulic support

8. The hydraulic support fit must be checked every time it is necessary to disconnect the outer (ball) support of the control arm from the steering knuckle.

9. Raise the car on a lift or place it on stands.

10. Set the torque wrench to 30 Nm.



11. Try to turn the axle bolt of the hydraulic support bushing by turning the torque wrench clockwise. The hydraulic support fit is adjusted correctly if the axle bolt does not turn with a force of 30 Nm. Otherwise, adjust the fit of the support.

Adjusting the hydraulic support fit

12. On models equipped with xenon headlights, when adjusting the hydraulic support of the left control lever, remove the headlight range adjustment sensor (see illustration 6.2).

13. Disconnect the steering tie rod end from the corresponding steering knuckle (see Section 15).

14. Remove the axle bolt from the hydraulic support bushing (see accompanying illustration) and clean the threaded connection of the control lever.



15. Unscrew the mounting bolt and separate the ball joint of the lever from the steering knuckle (see above).

16. Push the shock absorber strut to the side. Lift and install the control arm so that it is horizontal, while the axis, which can be mentally drawn through the middle of the inner bearings of the arm, should pass parallel to the longitudinal beam of the subframe. Be careful not to damage the CV joint boot of the drive shaft.



17. In this position, screw in a new self-locking bolt for fastening the hydraulic support bushing. Pre-lubricate the bolt threads with a locking compound (for example, Loctite 243) and tighten the bolt in 2 steps (see Specifications).

18. Reinstall and secure all removed and disconnected components.