1973 OPEL GT-R Wheel torque

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- 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.

13E. 50 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUALPART
Bolt
BoltLOCATION
Steering WheelUpper Universal Joint
- Lower Clamp
Upper Universal Joint
- Hex Head
Lower Universal Joint
TORQUE
LB.FT.
15
14

3F. 521973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
3. Install rubber grommet, retainer and self-locking
nut at top of shock absorber. Torque to 10 lb. ft.
Always use new self-locking nuts.
REAR SPRING REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Rear Spring Removal1. Raise rear of car with floor jack under differential
carrier and support with jack stands positioned un-
der side jack brackets. See Figure
3F-2.Figure 3F-3 Removing Coil
SpringFigure 3F-2 Raising Rear of Car
2. Remove rear wheels.3. Disconnect shock absorbers from rear axle.
4. Disconnect stabilizer and shackles, if equipped,
from frame.
5. Lower rear axle assembly as far as possible withoutputting the brake hose under stress.
6. If necessary, tilt the rear axle assembly to remove
springs. See Figure
3F-3. Note the upper and lower
rubber damper rings.
Rear Spring Installation
1. Make certain the lower damper rings are properly
positioned in the spring seats and position the springsin their respective position in the damper rings. See
Figure
3F-4.2. Properly install upper damper rings on springs.
CAUTION: Fasteners are important attaching parts in
that they could affect the performance of vital corn-
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
qua/ity or substitute designFigure 3F-4 Installing Coil Spring
Torque values must be used as specitied during reas-
sembly to assure proper retention of these parts.3. Raise rear axle assembly to compress springs in
their seats.
4. Attach shock absorbers and tighten retaining nuts
to 15 Ib.ft. For the GT and 47 lb.ft. for the Opel 1900
- Manta.
5. Attach stabilizer shackles, if equipped, to axle
brackets and tighten bolts to 25 lb. ft. with vehicle at
curb weight.
6. Install rear wheels torquing lug nuts to 65 lb.ft.

REAR SUSPENSION3F- 53
7. Remove jack stands.
LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENTRemovalThis operation can be performed with the vehicle
standing at curb height or elevated.
1. Disconnect parking brake cable from support
bracket on control arm.
2. Loosen and remove front and rear control arm
attaching bolts and remove control arm.
installation1. On
1900’s and Manta’s place a load of approxi-
mately 350 lbs. in luggage compartment or on the
GT, place a load of approximately 150
Ibs. on dri-
ver’s seat. Torque control arm attaching nut and
bolts to 18 lb.ft on
GT’s and 23 Ib.ft. on the 1900 -Manta.
2. Connect parking brake cable to support bracket on
control
ranI.
STABILIZER ROD REPLACEMENT
Removal1. Raise and support rear of vehicle.
2. Disconnect stabilizer rod to shackle bolts.
3. Disconnect stabilizer rod to underbody retainers
and work stabilizer rod out from under vehicle.
SPECIFICATIONS
REAR SUSPENSION SPECIFICATIONS
Tightening SpecificationsInstallation1. Work stabilizer rod into position and loosely at-
tach stabilizer to underbody retainers.
2. Connect stabilizer rod to shackles.
3. With the vehicle standing on its wheels or the rear
axle assembly lifted, tighten stabilizer rod to under-
body bracket bolts to 15 lb. ft.
4. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle.
TRACK ROD REPLACEMENT
Removal1. Lift rear of car and suitably support.
2. Disconnect track rod from rear axle and frame
side member.
Installation
1. Loosely connect track rod first to side member and
then to the rear axle.
2. On the
1900 - Manta, load luggage compartment
of vehicle with approximately 350 lbs. or on the GT,
place a load of approximately 150 lbs. on driver’s
seat and tighten track rod attaching bolts to specified
torque.
3. Remove supports (jack stands) and lower vehicle.
Use a reliable torque wrench. Specifications are for clean and lightly-oiled
threads.
Part
Nut
Nut
Nut
Bolt
Nut
Nut
Nut
BoltName
WheelNuts.
.._.._......._........................................................
Control Arm Attaching (GT) .._.._.,,,........,,.,,.......,,......,,,,......
Control Arm Attaching (1 900 - Manta) .,,...._...,,,,_.....,,.,...
Stabilizer Rod to Underbody Retainers ,....._.,.,,.,.....,,,....
Shock Absorber Lower Attachment (GT) . .._.....,._.._.,,,...
Shock Absorber Lower Attachment (1900 Manta) ,,.,
Shock Absorber Upper Attachment. .._.....................
Stabilizer Shackle to Axle Bracket .._._.._,...._..,,.,,.......,,,...
Torque
Lb.Ft.
65
16
23
15
1,5
47
1025

3G- 581873 OPEL SERVICE MANUALTire Wear IrregularitiesAn additional cause of vibrations may sometimes be
tire wear irregularities. These can also produce noise
disturbances, and can be generally corrected by
rotating the tires, Figure
3G-6. Before proceeding
further, locate and correct the cause of the irregular
tire wear. See Figure
3G-7.Use the criss-cross method of rotation of tires only
when all four tires are equally worn. In some in-
stances, it may be necessary to put the truest running
assemblies (those with the lowest tolerances) on the
front of the car.
Wheel Nut Torque end Tightening SpecificationsDuring all wheel installations, it is important to use
the correct procedures for installing wheel nuts and
torquing them uniformly and in proper sequence.
This is important in order to avoid possible distor-
tion of the brake drum or disc, and to minimize
damage to lug and nut threads and wheel stud holes.
To assure uniform tightening of wheel lug nuts, the
following procedure is recommended:
1. Install wheel lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern and
tighten just enough to seat wheel against hub. This
assures proper piloting of the wheel on its hub.
2. Tighten lug nuts uniformly to proper torque of 65
Ib.ft. using criss-cross pattern.
An impact wrench should not be used, as uniform
torque control cannot be maintained.
Summary of Diagnosis end Correction of Tire and
Wheel Vibration1. Inflate all tires to recommended pressure and
road-test car with owner to define problem.
2. Spin front tire/wheel assemblies with wheel driv-
ing equipment. Rear wheels may be spun with tires
off the ground and with one wheel held at a time. The
offending tire may cause vibration that may be felt
by touching the bumper or fender. By process of
elimination, determine offending tire/wheel assem-
bly.
3. Check for tire/wheel unbalance. Balance, if neces-
sary.4. Check each tire/wheel assembly on the car for
radial runout on the tire tread. Wheel and tire assem-
blies exceeding
.050 inches may be considered as
offending assemblies. Offending tire/wheel assemblyshould be deflated and the tire repositioned (indexed)
180 degrees from original location.
5. After repositioning, rebalance tire/wheel assembly
(static and dynamic preferred).
6. Test drive and evaluate correction.
The following procedure should be used to determine
cause of roughness or vibration with car in operation
at various speeds:
I. Jack up all wheels having jack support rear end of
car at center of rear axle housing.
2. With transmission in “Drive”, run engine at vari-
ous car speeds to note speeds at which vibration or
roughness occurs.
3. Remove rear wheels and run engine again at the
critical speeds noted in step 2. If roughness is gone,
the condition is caused by unbalanced wheel and tire
assemblies.
4. If roughness still exists with rear wheels removed,
remove rear brake drums and repeat the running
test. Elimination of the roughness indicates out of
balance brake drums.
5. If roughness still exists with brake drums
removed, run engine with transmission in “Neutral”.
Elimination of the roughness indicates that propeller
shaft is out of balance. Continued roughness indi-
cates an out-of- balance engine.
ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR
General Operating ConditionsAssuming that there is no misalignment condition to
cause abnormal wear, the life of tires depends largely
upon car operation conditions and driving habits.
Tires wear at a much faster rate in some localities
than in others because of road and operating condi-
tions. Some types of roads are much more abrasive
than others. Tire wear is also dependent upon the
number of hills and mountains which the car must
go up and down, the severity of grades, the number
of starts and stops, driging speeds, the amount of rain
and snow, and prevailing temperatures. Tire
wear
increases rapidly with speed, temperature, and loadon tire. Tires used at low speeds, in cool climates, or
with light loads will have longer life than tires used
for high-speed driving in hot climates with heavy
loads.
Driving habits have a very important hearing on tire
life. A careful driver may obtain much greater mile-
age from a set of tires than would be obtained by a

WHEELS AND TIRES36-63would require inflation pressures above the maximum allowable, speed must be
limited to 75 miles per hour.
3.Cool tire inflation pressure: After vehicle has been inoperative for 3 hours
or more, or driven less than one mile. Hot tire inflation pressure: After vehicle
has been driven
10 miles or more at 60-70 MPH.
4.Vehicles with luggage racks do not have a vehicle load limit greater than
specified.
5. When towing trailers, the allowable passenger and cargo load must be
reduced by an amount equal to the trailer tongue load on the trailer hitch.
Torque SpecificationWheelNuts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65lb.ft.
IFigure 3G-8 Wheel and Tire - Exploded View