Removal and installation drive shafts (Opel Vectra C)

Removal

Caution: When pulling the drive shaft journal out of the corresponding splined joint, the shaft must be pulled by the joint assembly - never by the shaft itself!

1. Engage neutral gear (manual transmission)/move the selector lever to the "N" position (AT).

2. Loosen the hub nut of the corresponding front wheel (see Chapter 10).

3. Loosen the nuts of the corresponding front wheel, jack up the front of the car and place it on supports. Remove the wheel.

Note: If the vehicle is equipped with directional tires, note the direction of rotation of the tires. If necessary, remove the crankcase guard (see Chapter 2).

4. Check the hydraulic support of the front suspension wishbone (see Chapter 10).

5. Loosen the tie rod end mounting nut and use a special puller to release the latter from the steering knuckle (see Chapter 10).

6. Unscrew the bolt (Togh) of the clamp securing the ball joint to the steering knuckle (see accompanying illustration)





Note that the bolt is facing forward on the vehicle. Press the wishbone down and disconnect it from the steering knuckle.

Note: The use of any tool for this purpose is not permitted.

7. Secure the drive shaft with wire or a support so that when removing it from the hub, it does not hang down on the inner CV joint.

8. Install the puller on the hub of the corresponding wheel (see accompanying illustration) and secure it with the wheel bolts. Using a puller, separate the drive shaft from the hub.

Caution: After removing the drive shaft, the wheel hub must not be loaded (use as a support), and the vehicle must not be moved - otherwise the wheel bearing may be damaged! If for any reason the vehicle needs to be moved, be sure to insert the drive shaft element into the hub and tighten the hub nut!

9. To remove the left drive shaft, use a pry bar to press the inner CV joint out of the splined connection (see accompanying illustration) and remove the shaft.

Attention: When removing the drive shaft from the gearbox housing, transmission oil will leak out - place a previously prepared container underneath and quickly close the hole with a suitable plug!

10. On models without an intermediate shaft, the right drive shaft is removed in the same way as the left one. If there is an intermediate drive shaft, it is necessary to use a crowbar to press the right drive shaft away from the intermediate shaft(see accompanying illustration).



11. Carefully remove the drive shaft from the engine compartment.

Installation

Note: A new hub nut and new inner snap ring will be required.

12. Remove the retaining ring from the drive/intermediate shaft journal and install a new one in its place.

13. Thoroughly clean the shaft splines and the hole in the hub. Lubricate the sealing lips of the oil seal and the shaft splines with clean transmission oil/ATF. Check the reliability of the CV joint boot fixation with your clamps.

14. Carefully, being careful not to damage the seal, engage the inner journal of the drive shaft with the splines of the differential/intermediate shaft side gear - if necessary, use a mandrel sleeve to protect the seal (for example, Opel KM-6332). Push the shaft into the differential until the locking ring snaps into place, using a plastic hammer if necessary. To install the right drive shaft onto the intermediate shaft, use a hammer and a brass mandrel - the mandrel should be installed on the thickening of the end face of the joint being installed (see accompanying illustration)





15. Engage the splined pin of the outer joint with the splines of the hub.

Caution: Be careful not to allow the drive shafts to hang on the dust boots for long periods of time!

16. Further installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal. Upon completion of the operation, check the transmission oil level and make the appropriate adjustments if necessary.