wheel OPEL FRONTERA 1998 User Guide

DIFFERENTIAL (REAR 244mm)
4A2B–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.

4A2B–4DIFFERENTIAL (REAR 244mm)
Axle Housing
Axle Housing and Associated Parts
420RW001
Legend
(1) Coil Spring and Insulator
(2) Axle Housing Assembly
(3) ABS Speed Sensor and Harness (if so
equipped)
(4) Nut
(5) Parking Brake Cable
(6) Bolt and Nut
(7) Antilock Brake System (ABS) Connector and
Bracket (if so equipped)(8) Bolt and Nut
(9) Nut
(10) Differential Assembly
(11) Axle Shaft Assembly
(12) Brake Disc
(13) Brake Pipe
(14) Brake Caliper
(15) Nut
(16) Breather Hose
(17) Flare Nut
Removal
1. Raise the vehicle and support it with suitable safety
stands.
The hoist must remain under the rear axle housing.
2. Drain brake fluid. Refer to Hydraulic Brakes in Brakes
section.
3. Remove rear wheels and tires. Refer to Wheel in
Suspension section.4. Remove propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller
Shaft in this section.
5. Drain the rear axle oil into a proper container.
6. Remove parking brake cable, release the connection
between the cable fixing clip equalizer. Refer to
Parking Brakes in Brakes section.
7. Move the clip aside and pull out the breather hose.

4A2B–8DIFFERENTIAL (REAR 244mm)
Differential Assembly
Differential Assembly and Associated Parts
425RW044
Legend
(1) Bolt and Nut
(2) Axle Shaft Assembly(3) Parking Brake Cable
(4) Differential Assembly
(5) Nut
Removal
1. Jack up and support the frame with stands.
2. Remove the wheel and tire. Refer to Wheel in
Steering section.
3. Drain the differential oil.
4. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller
Shaft in this section.
5. Remove the ABS speed sensor. Refer to Anti–lock
Brake System in Brakes section.6. Remove the parking brake cable fastening clip and
disconnect the equalizer section. Refer to Parking
Brakes in Brake section.
7. Remove the bearing holder fixing nuts.
8. Remove axle shaft assembly, be sure not to damage
the oil seal by axle shaft.
9. Remove differential carrier mounting bolts and nuts.
10. Remove differential assembly.

4B1–2
DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Shift on the Fly System (Lever Type)
Outline of Shift on the Fly System
(Lever Type)
The shift on the fly system (Lever type) switches between
2 wheel drive (2WD) and 4 wheel drive (4WD) by driver’s
shifting the transfer control lever on the floor.
This system controls below operations.
1. Connecting front wheels to, and disconnecting them
from, the front axles by vacuum actuator.
2. Indicator on instrument panel.
3. 4WD signal to Electronic Hydraulic Control Unit for
brake system (If anti–lock brake system is equipped).

4B1–7 DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Shift on the Fly System (Push Button Type)
Outline of Shift on the Fly System (Push Button Type)
The shift on the fly system switches between 2 wheel
drive (2WD) and 4 wheel drive (4WD) electrically by
driver’s pressing the 4WD switch (push button type) on
instrument panel.
This system controls below operations. (Shifting between
“4H” and “4L” must be performed by transfer control lever
on the floor.)
1. Shifting the transfer front output gear (Connecting to,
and disconnecting from, front propeller shaft by motor
actuator).2. Retrial of shifting the transfer front output gear.
3. Connecting front wheels to, and disconnecting them
from, the front axles by vacuum actuator.
4. Indicator on instrument panel.
5. 4WD out signal to other Electronic Hydraulic Control
Unit (If anti–lock brake system is equipped).
System Diagrams
412RW050

4B1–8
DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Normal Operation
The motor actuator mounted on transfer rear case is
driven by signal from 4WD switch on instrument panel.
After complete the connecting transfer front output gear
to, or disconnecting it from, front propeller shaft, conditionof the transfer position switch changes. The vacuum
solenoid valve (VSV) is driven by the signal from transfer
position switch and the vacuum actuator connects front
wheels to, or disconnect them from, front axles.
Time Chart of Shifting Under Normal Condition
F04RW002

4B1–11 DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Functions of Indicator Lamp
Indication of vehicle condition : Indicator lamp is
controlled by 4WD control unit and shows vehicle
conditions as below.
Indicator
Vehicle condition4WD switchTransfer position
switchFront axle switch
Off2WDOff (Close)2WD (Open)2WD (Open)
On4WDOn (Open)4WD (Close)4WD (Close)
Blink (2Hz)OperatingOn (Open)4WD (Close)2WD (Open)
Off (Close)2WD (Open)4WD (Close)
Blink (4Hz)Stop operatingOn (Open)2WD (Open)2WD (Open)
Off (Close)4WD (Close)4WD (Close)
Bulb check :To check the bulb of indicator lamp, the
indicator lamp comes on when ignition key is turned on,
and goes off when the engine is started.
Retrials from 2WD to 4WD :In cold weather or under
high speed condition, the gear shifting (engagement)sometimes does not complete by 3 trials. In such case,
the indicator lamp inform driver of this incident as
aforementioned chart (shown at Retrial in Outline of shift
on the fly system).
Diagnosis
Before Judging That Troubles Occur
(Unfaulty mode)
When Switching from 2WD to 4WD
1.In case that blinking frequency of the 4WD
indicator changes from 2Hz to 4Hz.
When heavy synchronization load is needed, the
motor actuator tries the shifting transfer gear three
times including the activation shifting. While the
motor actuator tries shifting, the indicator blinks by
2Hz. If the third shifting fails, the indicator’s blinking
changes from 2Hz to 4Hz at the same time that the
motor actuator shifted back to 2WD.
Heavy synchronization load occurs by:
extremely lower temperature.
higher speed, rotation difference of wheels during
cornering.
Solution 1: Operate again after stop the vehicle or
slow down.
2.In case that the 4WD indicator continues blinking
by 2Hz for more than 11.5 seconds.
When there is rotation difference of wheels or there
is phase difference between front wheels and axles,
it is difficult to connect front wheels to front axles. The
blinking by 2Hz shows that shifting the transfer gear
or connecting the front wheels is in the middle of
operating. In above case, the indicator’s blinking by
2Hz shows that connecting the front wheels is not
completed (because the indicator’s blinking changes
to 4Hz when the shifting transfer gear is impossible.).
And removal of rotation or phase difference make
connecting the front wheels possible.
Solution 2: When vehicle is running, drive
straight ahead while accelerating and
decelerating. When vehicle is at a stop, move the
vehicle forward and backward from 2 to 3 meters.When switching from 4WD to 2WD
1.In case that the 4WD indicator continues blinking
by 2Hz .
The 4WD indicator continues blinking by 2Hz until
both shifting the transfer gear and disconnecting the
front wheels are completed when switching 4WD to
2WD. When driveline is loaded with torsional torque,
the shifting transfer gear and disconnecting front
wheels are impossible. In this case, removal of
torsional torque on driveline make the shifting
transfer gear and disconnecting front wheels
possible.
Solution 3: When vehicle is running, drive
straight ahead while accelerating and
decelerating. When vehicle is at a stop, move the
vehicle forward and backward from 2 to 3 meters.
2.In case that the 4WD indicator’s blinking changes
from 2Hz to 4Hz.
Check the position of transfer lever. Is it at “4L”
position? In view of the shifting mechanism of
transfer, the gear shifting from 4WD to 2WD at “4L”
condition is impossible.
Solution 4: Push the 4WD switch to 4WD, shift the
transfer lever to “High” position and re–operate
the 4WD switch to 2WD.

4B1–30
DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Front Axle Diagnosis
When the 4WD switch is operated from 4H to 2H,
indicator light does not go out.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1Drive slow 100 — 200m after a few minutes” idling.
Has indicator light gone out?
All right.Go to Step 2
2Jack up front tires.
Does the right side of front wheel rotate when the left side of f r o n t
wheel is rotated?
Go to Step 4Go to Step 3
31. Check the actuator switch.
2. Check the circuit to indicator.
Was a problem found?
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
41. Check the VSV valve.
2. Check the circuit to VSV valve.
Was a problem found?Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Go to Step 5
5I s v a c u u m p i p i n g a l l r i g h t ? ( t a n k , h o s e , & p i p e d a m a g e o r t r o u ble)
Go to Step 6
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
6Does actuator work all right?
Trace this chart
from the start.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.

4B1–31 DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
When the 4WD switch is operated from 2H to 4H,
indicator light is not actuated.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1Drive slow 100 — 200m after a few minutes” idling.
Has indicator light actuated?
All right.Go to Step 2
2Jack up front tires.
Does not the right side of front wheel rotate when the left side of
front wheel is rotated?
Go to Step 4Go to Step 3
31. Check the actuator switch.
2. Check the circuit to indicator.
Was a problem found?
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
41. Check the VSV valve.
2. Check the circuit to VSV valve.
Was a problem found?Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Go to Step 5
5I s v a c u u m p i p i n g a l l r i g h t ? ( t a n k , h o s e , & p i p e d a m a g e o r t r o u ble)
Go to Step 6
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
6Does actuator work all right?
Trace this chart
from the start.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.

DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (TOD) 4B2–2
General Description
C07RW014–1
TOD (Torque on Demand) system is traction state control
system to vehicle.
Transfer Position and Drive Mode
Three drive modes can be selected through operation of
4WD switch and transfer lever.
Transfer Position
TOD SWModeDrive mode
HIGHON (NORMAL)2HRear wheel drive
OFF (PUSHED)TODElectronically controlled torque split
four wheel drive
4LON/OFF4LLow-speed mechanical lock-up four
wheel drive
The electronic control unit (ECU) judges the signals from
the transfer lever and controls the transfer drive mode
and shift-on-the-fly system status.
TOD Control
The TOD position usually drives the rear wheels, and
transmits the torque to the front wheels with the help of
electronically controlled torque split mechanism
according to running conditions encountered. The driving
force is directly transmitted to the rear wheels. This force
is split by the transfer and delivered to the front wheels.
The magnitude of the torque transmitted to the front
wheels is controlled by changing the pressing force of the
electromagnetic multi plate disk clutch built in the transfer
unit. The pressing force of the clutch is controlled bychanging the voltage to the electromagnetic coil mounted
to the rear of the clutch. When the clutch is completely
disengaged, the rear wheels are driven. When the clutch
is completely engaged, a rigid four wheel drive mode is
obtained. The torque split status is controlled
continuously between the rear wheel and four wheel drive
modes. This system includes front and rear speed
sensors, and throttle position sensor that monitors the
engine output.
The control unit receives signals sent from these sensors
and changes the pressing force of the electromagnetic
multi plate disk clutch to determine the torque distribution
on the front and rear wheels. Therefore, when the slip of
the rear wheels is increased against the current torque
level in the normal rear wheel drive mode, the control unit