1973 OPEL GT-R Service Manual

3E- 421973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
GT STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION:
DescriptionofSteeringColumn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DIAGNOSIS: (Not Applicable)
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS: (Not
Applicable)
MAJOR REPAIR:
RemovalandInstallationofSteeringWheel. . . . . . . . . . . .Removal and Installation of Ignition Lock
Cylinder
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Removal and Installation of Steering Column
Assembly
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Removal and Installation of Center Steering Shaft
Removal and Installation of Ignition Switch
and/or Steering Lock
.,~ ,........ ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Removal and Installation of Upper Steering
Bearing and/or Directional Signal Switch
. . . . . . . . . . . .Removal and Installation of Steering Column
Lower Bearing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPECIFICATIONS:
Steering Column Torques
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page No.
3E-42
3E-44
3E-45
3E-45
3E-46
3E-46
3E-48
3E-49
3E-50
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
DESCRIPTION OF STEERING COLUMNThe Energy Abosrbing, Locking Steering .Column
assembly is used on the GT. This cohnnn is designed
to compress under impact. When an automobile is
being driven, the forward movement of the automo-
bile and the forward movement of the driver both
constitute a form of energy or force. When an au-
tomobile is involved in a frontal collision, the pri-
mary force (forward movement of the car) is
suddenly halted, while the secondary force (the
driver) continues its forward direction. A severe col-
lision generally involves these two forces
- the pri-
mary and the secondary forces. The secondaryjmpact occurs when the driver is thrust forward onto
the steering wheel and column.
The Energy Absorbing Column is designed to absorb
these primary and secondary forces to the extent thatthe severity of the secondary impact is reduced. Dur-
ing a collision, the steering column compresses and
thereby reduces its tendency to move rearward into
the driver’s compartment. A split second later when
the driver is thrown forward (the secondary impact)
his energy is also partially abosrbed by the compres-
sion characteristics of the column.
The Energy Absorbing, Locking Column assembly
may be easily disassembled and reassembled. The
serviceman should be aware that it is important that
only the specified screws, bolts and nuts be used as
designated during reassembly, and that they are
tightened to their specified torque. This precaution
will insure the energy absorbing action of the assem-
bly. Particular care should be exercised to avoid us-
ing overlength bolts as they may prevent a portion of
the assembly from compressing under impact.
Equally as important is correct torquing of all bolts
and nuts.
When the Energy Absorbing, Locking Column is

GT STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY3E- 43
UPPER STEERING
COLUMN ASSEMBLY-\-AUPPER UNIVERSAL JOINT-
STEERING
-CENTER STEERING SHAFT
LOWER UNIVERSAL JOINT
Figure
3E-15 GT Steering Column Assembly
_--7FORCE
PRIMARY FORC
/FORCES
BEFORE
COLLISIONI ST STAGE
(PRIMARY COLLISION)2ND STAGE
(SECONDARY COLLISION)3E-16
Figure
3E-16 Reaction of Forces in a Collision

3E. 441973 OPEL SERVICE’MANUAL
Figure 3E-17 Steering Column Bracket
installed in a car it is no more susceptible to damage
through usage than an ordinary column; however,
when the column is removed, special care must be
taken in handling this assembly.Only the speufied
wheel puller should be used.When the column is removed from the car, such
actions as a sharp blow on the end of the steering
shaft laying things across or on top of the column
assembly, leaning on the column assembly, or drop-
ping of the assembly could shear or loosen the plastic
fasteners that maintain column rigidity or possibly
bend the assembly causing a binding condition.
It is
therefore important that the removal and installation
and the disassembly and reassembly procedures be
strictly followed when servicing this assembly.The steering column assembly is attached with a
bracket (A) at four points to the connecting brace
below the instrument panel. See Figure
3E-17. The
two upper bolts are designed as tear-lock-bolts. A
bolt (B) is welded to the bracket which engages in an
narrowing elongated hole. The same applies to the
upper bolt (C) of the steering column lower bearing
attachment which engages in a hole of the connect-
ing brace.
As soon as a sufficiently large secondary energy
becomes effective, the steering mast jacket slides to-
wards the front whereby the bolt (B) as well as the
bolt head (C) is additionally pushed into the respec-
tive narrowing elongated holes. Both elongated holes
are arranged so that the primary energy cannot push
the steering mast assembly into the passenger com-
partment.
The GT steering column incorporates two universaljoints to allow
~for the offset between the steering
column and the gear assembly.
The upper steering column assembly is connected to
the center steering shaft with one universal joint,
while the lower universal joint connects the center
steering shaft to the steering gear pinion shaft.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF STEERING
WHEELThis procedure may be performed with the steering
column assembly either removed or installed in the
car.Removal
1. Disconnect battery.
2. Remove horn cap.
3. Bend lockplate tabs down and remove steering
wheel nut, lockplate and washer.
4. Mark shaft and wheel hub for reassembly align-
ment.
5. Remove steering wheel using steering wheel puller
J-21686. Do not rap on end of puller in order to free
wheel from shaft as this would very likely loosen
plastic injections that maintain steering shaft rigid-
ity. Striking of underside of steering wheel to jar it

GT STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY3E- 45
loose must never be done. The only recommendation
for freeing frozen steering wheels is to use a penetrat-
ing lubricant.Installation1. Before installing steering wheel, lubricate return
pin and slide area on direction signal switch return
cams and horn ring contact.
2. With steering wheel properly aligned to shaft, in-
stall lockplate and nut. Torque nut to 15
Ib.ft.
CAUTION:
This steering wheel to steering shafi fas-
tener is an important attac&ng part in that it could
affect the performance of vital components and sys-
tems, and/or could result in major repair expense. It
must be
rep/aced with one of the same part number
or with an equivalent part, if replacement becomes
necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser
quality or substitute design. Torque values must be
used as specified during reassembly to assure proper
retention of this part.3. Bend up lockplate tab and install horn cap.
4. Reconnect battery.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF IGNITION
LOCK CYLINDER
RemovalThis procedure may be performed with the steering
column assembly either removed or installed in the
car.1. Remove steering wheel, as outlined previously in
this Group.
2. Position lock cylinder to run position.
3. Using suitable piece of wire, push in lock cylinder
retaining pin and remove lock cylinder. See Figure3E- 18.
Installation1. Insert lock cylinder into lock cylinder housing.
2. Install steering wheel, as outlined previously in
this section.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF STEERING
COLUMN ASSEMBLY
Removal1. Position steering so that front wheels are straight
ahead.Figure
3E-18 Removing Lock Cylinder
2. Loosen steering shaft upper universal joint lower
clamp bolt. See Figure
3E-19.3. Drill off heads of both tear bolts by first drilling
an 3/16 inch pilot hole and then inserting a
l/4 inch
bolt extractor to remove lockbolt.
4. Disconnect ignition (white) and direction signal
(black) wire set plugs.
5. Support steering column assembly and remove
both hex. head bolts.
6. Pull steering column assembly off center steering
shaft. Do not apply any force as plastic injections in
center steering shaft may be loosened and shaft
would then require replacement.
Installation
CAUTION:
Fasteners are important attachingparts in
that they
cooId affect the performance of vital com-
ponents and systems, and/or could result in major
repair expense. They must be replaced with one of
the same part number or with an equivalent part if
replacement becomes necessary. Do not use a re-
placement part of lesser quality or
substitute design.
Torque values must be used as specified during
reas-
sembIy to assure proper retention of these parts.1. Install steering column assembly onto steering
shaft and torque steering shaft upper universal joint
lower clamp bolt to 14
lb.ft.2. Install hex head bolts and torque to 14
lb.ft.
NOTE:
Be sure to install ground wire.

I3E. 461973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
Figure 3E-19 Steering Column Attachments
3. Install new tear bolts and tighten until hex
head of bolt is tom off.
4. Reconnect ignition and direction signal wire sets.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF CENTER
STEERING SHAFT
RemovalSteering shaft must be handled carefully so as not to
loosen plastic injections as shaft would then require
replacement.
CAUTION:Fasteners are important attaching parts
in that they could affect the performance of vital
components and systems, and/or could result in
major repair expense. They must be replaced with
one of the same part number or with an
equivalent part if replacement becomes necessary.
Do not use a replacement part or lesser quality or
substitute design. Torque values must be used as
specitied during reassembIy to assure proper
retention of these parts.1. Install steering shaft through bottom and position
into upper universal joint.
1. Position steering so that front wheels are straight
ahead.2. Insert shaft into lower universal joint and torque
bolt to 22 lb.ft.
2. Loosen steering shaft upper universal joint lower
clamp bolt.3. Torque upper universal joint bolt to 14
lb.ft.3. Remove steering shaft lower universal joint upper
clamp screw.
4. Carefully push center steering shaft up into steel
washer joint until lower end is free.REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF IGNITION
SWITCH AND/OR STEERING LOCK
Removal5. Remove steering shaft through bottom.
1, Remove ignition lock cylinder, see previous para-
graph in this section.

GT STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY3E- 47
2. Disconnect ignition (white) wire set plug.
3. Remove steering lock retaining screw. See Figure3E-20.Figure 3E-20 Steering Lock Retaining Screw
4. Remove direction signal switch lever.
5. Remove three screws securing signal switch cover
to housing.
6. To remove housing cover, (a) pull cover toward
direction signal switch and move it slightly to the
right. See Figure
3E-21. (b) Turn cover toward the
left and move it further to the right so that the left
retaining screw ear is positioned under the left signal
switch return cam. See Figure
3E-22. (c) Insert direc-
Figure 3E-2 1tion signal switch lever into oblong opening in cover
and push steering lock into housing and remove
cover. See Figure
3E-37.Figure
3E-22Figure 3E.23
7. Remove ignition switch electrical unit. See Figure3B24.
8. Remove wires from connector plug making certain
to note location of each.
9. Tape wire ends together and remove electrical unit
and wire harness.
Installation1. Position electrical unit wire harness through col-
umn and reconnect to connector plug.

3E- 481973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
Figure 3E-24 Removing Electrical Unit
Before installing electrical unit be sore unit is in
RUN position. Using a Philips screwdriver, turn in-
ner sleeve to the tight until a springy resistance is
felt. See Figure 3E-25.Figure 3E-25 Checking for RUN Position
2. Install ignition switch electrical unit. See Figure
3E-24.3. Install housing cover by attaching with three (3)
screws.4. Install steering lock retaining screw. See Figure
3E-20.5. Reconnect ignition (white) wire set plug.6. Install direction signal switch lever.
7. Install ignition lock cylinder. See previous para-
graph in this section.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF UPPER
STEERING BEARING AND/OR DIRECTION SIGNAL
SWITCH1. Remove ignition switch and steering lock, see
previous paragraph in this section.
2. Disconnect direction signal (black) wire set plug.
3. Remove wires from connector plug making certain
to note location of each.
4. Remove screws and direction signal housing and
switch assembly. See Figure
3E-26.
..3E-26
Figure 3E-26 Removing Direction Signal Switch
Assembly5. To remove upper bearing, pull horn wire out of
bearing housing and pry out bearing assembly using
a flat screwdriver. See Figure
3E-27.
Installation1. If upper bearing has been removed, install by using
the thumbs of both hands being sure to line bearing
up with notched portion of housing.
2. Install direction signal housing and switch assem-
bly. See Figure 3B26.
3. Reposition wires into connector plug and connect
direction signal wire set.

GT STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY3E- 49
4. Install ignition switch and steering lock
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF STEERING
COLUMN LOWER BEARING
The following is with steering column assembly
removed.
1. Remove steering wheel.
2. Remove screws securing lower bearing housing to
mast jacket.
3. Remove steering shaft together with universal
joint and bearing and housing.
4. Remove universal joint from shaft. See Figure 3E-28.Figure 3627 Removing Upper Bearing
SERRATED SOCKET
“‘*E.Z<~lh I’
I//
11 uBEARING HOUSINGy
SE-28Figure 3E.28 Removing Lower Bearing
5. Remove bearing retainer snap ring and remove
bearing.
Installation3. Install steering shaft, together with universal joint
bearing and housing to mast jacket. Serrated socket
head screw must be installed on
tm side of steering
column assembly. See Figure 3E-2\.
1. Install bearing and bearing retainer snap ring.
2. Install universal joint and torque to 22
Ib.ft.4. Install steering wheel. On installation of steering
wheel, make sure that with flats of lower portion of
universal joint horizontal, the center steering wheel
spoke must be vertical.