suspension OPEL FRONTERA 1998 User Guide

4C–3 DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM
Diagnosis
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Oil Leak At Front AxleWorn or defective oil seal.Replace the oil seal.
Front axle housing cracked.Repair or replace.
Oil Leak At Pinion ShaftToo much gear oil.Correct the oil level.
Oil seal worn or defective.Replace the oil seal.
Pinion flange loose or damaged.Tighten or replace.
Noises In Front Axle Drive Shaft
JointBroken or worn drive shaft joints and
bellows (BJ and DOJ).Replace the drive shaft joints and
bellows.
“Clank” When Accelerating From
“Coast”Loose drive shaft joint to output shaft
bolts.Tighten.
Damaged inner drive shaft joint.Replace.
Shudder or Vibration During
Acceleration
Excessive drive shaft joint angle.Repair.
AccelerationWorn or damaged drive shaft joints.Replace.
Sticking spider assembly (inner drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Sticking joint assembly (outer drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Vibration At Highway SpeedsOut of balance or out of round tires.Balance or replace.
Front end out of alignment.Align.
Noises in Front AxleInsufficient gear oil.Replenish the gear oil.
Wrong or poor grade gear oil.Replace the gear oil.
Drive pinion to ring gear backlash
incorrect.Adjust the backlash.
Worn or chipped ring gear, pinion
gear or side gear.Replace the ring gear, pinion gear or
side gear.
Pinion shaft bearing worn.Replace the pinion shaft bearing.
Wheel bearing worn.Replace the wheel bearing.
Differential bearing loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Wanders and PullsWheel bearing preload too tight.Adjust the wheel bearing preload.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Steering linkage loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Steering gear out of adjustment.Adjust or replace the steering gear.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Adjust the inflation or replace.
Front or rear suspension parts loose
or broken.Tighten or replace.
Front Wheel ShimmyWheel bearing worn or improperly
adjusted.Adjust or replace.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Worn ball joint or bush.Replace the ball joint or bush.
Steering linkage loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Steering gear out of adjustment.Tighten or replace.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Replace or adjust the inflation.
Shock absorber worn.Replace the shock absorber.

4C–22
DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM
Front Drive Shaft Joint
Front Drive Shaft Joints Replace-
ment
Refer to Front Drive Axle Assembly Replacement in
this section, and refer to Front Hub and Disc in
Suspension section.
Front Hub Bearing Preload Check
Check the hub bearing preload at the wheel pin.
New bearing and New oil seal
Preload: 20 – 25 N (2.0 – 2.5 kg/4.4–5.5 lb)
New bearing and New oil seal
Preload: 12 –18 N (1.2 – 1.8 kg/2.6–4.0 lb)
411RS001
Inspection Of Shift On The Fly System
Gear Oil
412RT002
1. Open filler plug and make sure that the oil is up to the
plug port.
If the level oil is low, replenish with gear oil GL–5
grade.
2. Tighten the filler plug to specified torque.
Torque: 7.8 Nꞏm (7.9 kgꞏcm/58 lb in)

6A–27
ENGINE MECHANICAL
Exhaust Manifold RH
Removal
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove torsion bar. Refer to removal procedure in
Front Suspension section.
3. Remove exhaust front pipe three stud nuts and two
nuts then disconnect exhaust front pipe.
150RW061
Legend
(1) Exhaust Front Pipe RH
(2) O
2 Sensor (for IGM)
4. Remove heat protector two fixing bolts then the heat
protector.
5. Remove exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) pipe fixing
bolt and nut from exhaust manifold, remove a nut
from EGR valve and a bolt from rear side of cylinder
head for bracket of EGR pipe then remove the EGR
pipe.
056RW001
Legend
(1) Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve
(2) EGR Pipe
6. Remove exhaust manifold eight fixing nuts then the
exhaust manifold.
Installation
1. Install exhaust manifold and tighten bolts to the
specified torque.
Torque : 57 Nꞏm (5.8 Kgꞏm/42 lb ft)
2. Install the EGR pipe, tighten bolt and nut on exhaust
manifold to specified torque.
Torque : 28 Nꞏm (2.9 Kgꞏm/21 lb ft)
Tighten nut to EGR valve to the specified torque.
Torque : 44 Nꞏm (4.5 Kgꞏm/33 lb ft)
Tighten the bolt for EGR pipe bracket to specified
torque.
Torque : 25 Nꞏm (2.5 Kgꞏm/18 lb ft)
3. Install heat protector
4. Install exhaust front pipe and tighten three stud nuts
and two nuts to the specified torque.
To r q u e :
Stud nuts: 67 Nꞏm (6.8 Kgꞏm/49 lb ft)
Nuts: 43 Nꞏm (4.4 Kgꞏm/32 lb ft)
5. Install the torsion bar and readjust the vehicle height.
Refer to installation and vehicle height adjustment
procedure for Front Suspension.

6G–7 ENGINE LUBRICATION
Oil Pan and Crankcase
Removal
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Drain engine oil.
3. Lift vehicle by supporting the frame.
4. Remove front wheels.
5. Remove oil level dipstick from level gauge tube.
6. Remove stone guard.
7. Remove radiator under fan shroud.
8. Remove suspension cross member fixing bolts, 2 pcs
each per side and remove suspension cross member.
9. Remove pitman arm and relay lever assembly, using
the 5–8840–2005–0 remover, remove pitman arm
from the steering unit and remove four fixing bolts for
relay lever assembly.
10. Remove axle housing assembly four fixing bolts from
housing isolator side and mounting bolts from wheel
side. At this time support the axle with a garage jack
and remove axle housing assembly.
11. Remove oil pan fixing bolts.
12. Remove oil pan, using 5–8840–2153–0 sealer cutter,
remove oil pan.
013RS003
13. Remove crankcase fixing bolts.
14. Remove crankcase, using 5–8840–2153–0 sealer
cutter, remove crankcase.
NOTE: Do not deform or damage the flange of oil pan and
crankcase.
Replace the oil pan and/or crankcase if deformed or dam-
aged.
013RS003
Installation
1. Install crankcase.
1. Remove residual sealant, lubricant and moisture
from mounting surface, then dry thoroughly.
2. Properly apply a 4.5 mm (0.7 in) wide bead of
sealant (TB-1207C or equivalent) to mounting
surface of crankcase.
Sealant beat must be continuous.
The crankcase must be installed within 5
minutes after sealant application before the
sealant hardens.
013RW010

6G–9 ENGINE LUBRICATION
6. Install suspension cross member and tighten fixing
bolts to the specified torque.
Torque : 78 Nꞏm (8.0 Kgꞏm/58 lb ft)
013RW007
7. Install radiator under fan shroud.
8. Install stone guard.
9. Install engine oil level dipstick.
10. Fill engine oil until full level on engine oil gauge
dipstick.

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THIS MALUAL INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:
SECTION No. CONTRNTS
3C FRONT SUSPENSION
3D REAR SUSPENSION; COIL SPRING
3E WHEELS AND TIRES
HOME
3C
3D
3E

DIFFERENTIAL (FRONT) 4A1–2
Front Drive Axle
Diagnosis
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Oil Leak At Front AxleWorn or defective oil seal.Replace the oil seal.
Front axle housing cracked.Repair or replace.
Oil Leak At Pinion ShaftToo much gear oil.Correct the oil level.
Oil seal worn or defective.Replace the oil seal.
Pinion flange loose or damaged.Tighten or replace.
Noises In Front Axle Drive Shaft
JointBroken or worn drive shaft joints and
bellows (BJ and DOJ).Replace the drive shaft joints and
bellows.
“Clank” When Accelerating From
“Coast”Loose drive shaft joint to output shaft
bolts.Tighten.
Damaged inner drive shaft joint.Replace.
Shudder or Vibration During
Acceleration
Excessive drive shaft joint angle.Repair.
AccelerationWorn or damaged drive shaft joints.Replace.
Sticking spider assembly (inner drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Sticking joint assembly (outer drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Vibration At Highway SpeedsOut of balance or out of round tires.Balance or replace.
Front end out of alignment.Align.
Noises in Front AxleInsufficient gear oil.Replenish the gear oil.
Wrong or poor grade gear oil.Replace the gear oil.
Drive pinion to ring gear backlash
incorrect.Adjust the backlash.
Worn or chipped ring gear, pinion
gear or side gear.Replace the ring gear, pinion gear or
side gear.
Pinion shaft bearing worn.Replace the pinion shaft bearing.
Wheel bearing worn.Replace the wheel bearing.
Differential bearing loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Wanders and PullsWheel bearing preload too tight.Adjust the wheel bearing preload.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Steering linkage loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Steering gear out of adjustment.Adjust or replace the steering gear.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Adjust the inflation or replace.
Front or rear suspension parts loose
or broken.Tighten or replace.
Front Wheel ShimmyWheel bearing worn or improperly
adjusted.Adjust or replace.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Worn ball joint or bush.Replace the ball joint or bush.
Steering linkage loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Steering gear out of adjustment.Tighten or replace.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Replace or adjust the inflation.
Shock absorber worn.Replace the shock absorber.

DIFFERENTIAL (FRONT) 4A1–6
3. Remove the drain bolt to drain differential oil.
NOTE:
a. During the work, be sure that the diff case is
supported by the jack.
412RS003
b. Remove the brake caliper fixing bolt and hang the
caliper. Refer to Front Disc Brake Caliper Assembly
in Brake section.
c. Remove the antilock brake system speed sensor (if
equipped). Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor in
Brakes section.
4. Remove the hub assembly (Disc, back plate and
knuckle), refer to Front Hub and Disc in this section.
5. Disconnect the knuckle and the suspension arm.
Refer to Suspension section.
6. Remove steering link and arm assembly, refer to
Steering Linkage in Steering section.
7. Remove suspension crossmember.
8. Remove propeller shaft, refer to Front Propeller Shaft
in this section.
9. Remove protector (Shift on the fly model).
10. Remove the hose clip.
11. Disconnect breather hose from front drive axle tube.
(and disconnect housing : Shift on the fly model).
12. Disconnect vacuum hose from actuator (Shift on the
fly model).13. Disconnect shift switch connector (Shift on the fly
model).
412RS031
14. Remove VSV assembly (1) (Shift on the fly model).
NOTE: Be sure not to remove hose and connector from
VSV asm.
412RW002

DIFFERENTIAL (FRONT) 4A1–8
5. Tighten the mounting bolt and nut to the specified
torque.
Torque: 152 Nꞏm (15.5kgꞏm/112 lb ft)
412RW005
Legend
(1) Frame
(2) Spacer
(3) Washer
(4) Bolt
(5) Nut
6. Install VSV assembly and tighten nuts to specified
torque (Shift on the fly model).
Torque: 8 Nꞏm (0.8kgꞏm/69 lb in)
7. Install the shift switch connector (Shift on the fly
model).
NOTE: Be careful not to permit the entry of dust into the
connector.
8. Install the actuator side of vacuum hose (Shift on the
fly model).
NOTE: Be careful not to permit the entry of dust into the
hose.
9. Connect breather hose and install the hose clip.
10. Install protector and tighten bolts to specified torque
(Shift on the fly model).
Torque: 26 Nꞏm (2.7kgꞏm/20 lb ft)
11. Install propeller shaft, refer to Front Propeller Shaft in
this section.
12. Install suspension crossmember.
13. Steering link and arm assembly, refer to Steering
Linkage in Steering section.
14. Install hub assembly (Disc, back plate and knuckle),
refer to Front Hub and Disc in this section.

DIFFERENTIAL (REAR 220mm)
4A2A–3
Diagnosis
Many noises that seem to come from the rear axle
actually originate from other sources such as tires, road
surface, wheel bearings, engine, transmission, muffler, or
body drumming. Investigate to find the source of the
noise before disassembling the rear axle. Rear axles, like
any other mechanical device, are not absolutely quiet but
should be considered quiet unless some abnormal noise
is present.
To make a systematic check for axle noise, observe the
following:
1. Select a level asphalt road to reduce tire noise and
body drumming.
2. Check rear axle lubricant level to assure correct level,
and then drive the vehicle far enough to thoroughly
warm up the rear axle lubricant.
3. Note the speed at which noise occurs. Stop the
vehicle and put the transmission in neutral. Run the
engine speed slowly up and down to determine if the
noise is caused by exhaust, muffler noise, or other
engine conditions.
4. Tire noise changes with different road surfaces; axle
noises do not. Temporarily inflate all tires to 344 kPa
(3.5kg/cm
2, 50 psi) (for test purposes only). This will
change noise caused by tires but will not affect noise
caused by the rear axle.
Rear axle noise usually stops when coasting at
speeds under 48 km/h (30 mph); however, tire noise
continues with a lower tone. Rear axle noise usually
changes when comparing pull and coast, but tire
noise stays about the same.
Distinguish between tire noise and rear axle noise by
noting if the noise changes with various speeds or
sudden acceleration and deceleration. Exhaust and
axle noise vary under these conditions, while tire
noise remains constant and is more pronounced at
speeds of 32 to 48 km/h (20 to 30 mph). Further check
for tire noise by driving the vehicle over smooth
pavements or dirt roads (not gravel) with the tires at
normal pressure. If the noise is caused by tires, it will
change noticeably with changes in road surface.
5. Loose or rough front wheel bearings will cause noise
which may be confused with rear axle noise; however,
front wheel bearing noise does not change when
comparing drive and coast. Light application of the
brake while holding vehicle speed steady will often
cause wheel bearing noise to diminish. Front wheel
bearings may be checked for noise by jacking up the
wheels and spinning them or by shaking the wheels to
determine if bearings are loose.
6. Rear suspension rubber bushings and spring
insulators dampen out rear axle noise when correctly
installed. Check to see that there is no link or rod
loosened or metal–to–metal contact.
7. Make sure that there is no metal–to–metal contact
between the floor and the frame.
After the noise has been determined to be in the axle, the
type of axle noise should be determined, in order to make
any necessary repairs.
Gear Noise
Gear noise (whine) is audible from 32 to 89 km/h (20 to 55
mph) under four driving conditions.
1. Driving under acceleration or heavy pull.
2. Driving under load or under constant speed.
3. When using enough throttle to keep the vehicle from
driving the engine while the vehicle slows down
gradually (engine still pulls slightly).
4. When coasting with the vehicle in gear and the throttle
closed. The gear noise is usually more noticeable
between 48 and 64 km/h (30 and 40 mph) and 80 and
89 km/h (50 and 55 mph).
Bearing Noise
Bad bearings generally produce a rough growl or grating
sound, rather than the whine typical of gear noise.
Bearing noise frequently “wow–wows” at bearing rpm,
indicating a bad pinion or rear axle side bearing. This
noise can be confused with rear wheel bearing noise.
Rear Wheel Bearing Noise
Rear wheel bearing noise continues to be heard while
coasting at low speed with transmission in neutral. Noise
may diminish by gentle braking. Jack up the rear wheels,
spin them by hand and listen for noise at the hubs.
Replace any faulty wheel bearings.
Knock At Low Speeds
Low speed knock can be caused by worn universal joints
or a side gear hub counter bore in the cage that is worn
oversize. Inspect and replace universal joints or cage and
side gears as required.
Backlash Clunk
Excessive clunk on acceleration and deceleration can be
caused by a worn rear axle pinion shaft, a worn cage,
excessive clearance between the axle and the side gear
splines, excessive clearance between the side gear hub
and the counterbore in the cage, worn pinion and side
gear teeth, worn thrust washers, or excessive drive pinion
and ring gear backlash. Remove worn parts and replace
as required. Select close–fitting parts when possible.
Adjust pinion and ring gear backlash.