1973 OPEL GT-R maintenance

ZE-221973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL’REAR COMPARTMENT LID
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION: (Not Applicable)
DIAGNOSIS: (Not Applicable)
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS: (Not
Applicable)
MAJOR REPAIR:
Removal and Installation
Weatherstrip
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lock Cylinder
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LuggageCompartmentLid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPECIFICATIONS: (Not Applicable)Page No.
2E-22
2E-22
2E-23
MAJOR REPAIRREMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENT LID WEATHERSTRIP
1. Detach old weatherstrip and clean sealing surface.2. Coat new weatherstrip and contacting surface
with rubber cement, and allow cement to dry for a
few minutes.3. Install new weatherstrip with rubber cement. See
Figure
2E-2.REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENT LID LOCK CYLINDER
Removal
1. Remove luggage compartment lid lock. See Figure
2E-3.Figure
ZE-2 installing Luggage Compartment Lid2. With luggage compartment lid in almost horizon-Weatherstriptal position, unscrew lock cylinder nut, using a 13/16Figure
2E-3 Lid Lock Attaching Screws

2F-241973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
ROOF AND SUN ROOF
CONTENTS
,.,Subject
DESC,RIF?TION AND OPERATION: (Not Applicable)
DIAGNOSIS: Sun Roof Diagnosis
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS:Sun Roof Height Adjustment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
MAJOR REPAIR:
Removal and Installation
Sun Roof Panel andFrame. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Velvet Strip and Weather Strip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RearGuides andCables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Drive Pinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Water DrainHoses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luggage Rack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SPECIFICATIONS: (Not Applicable) Page No.
2F-24
2F-26
iF-27
2F-29
2F-29
2F-30
2F-31
2F-3i
DIAGNOSIS
SUN ROOF DIAGNOSIS
_ -
CONhTlONPAUSEI~C~RRECTI~X~
Sun roof does not operate
Transporter cable lengths
parallel. equal.Close sun roof, slide sun roof
frame to rear, remove.crank
handle
and cable crank. Check
that sun roof bears against sun
roof opening velvet strip and
that lifter’ portion of rear lifter
guides is positioned approximately
90 degrees to guide rails.
Turn
cable crank fully clockwise and
reinstall into cable box.
Transporter cables damaged
or worn. Replace cables. Both cables
must be replaced if either one
is damaged or worn.

2F-261973 OPEL SERVICE MANUALMAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTSADJUSTING HEIGHT OF SUN ROOF PANEL
Adjust height of sun roof as follows:
1. Opel sun roof to half open position and pry apart
sun roof frame from sun roof panel (see Figure
2F-1).Figure
ZF-1 Separating Sun Roof Frame From SunRoof Panel2. Push detached sun roof frame rearward until it
contacts car roof stop.
NOTE: If difficulty is encountered when pushing
sun roof frame to rear due to the frame hooking into
the sun roof panel, close sun roof until lifters come
into operation. The sun roof frame should now easily
slide rearward.
ADJUSTMENT FRONT OF SUN ROOF
To adjust height of front of sun roof proceed as
follows:
1. Close sun roof.
2. Loosen screws securing front guides to front of sun
roof panel (see Figure
2F-2). Rotate height adjust-
ment ring until desired height is attained.
3. Readjust guides outward so that guides just touch
sides of rails and are not wedged or cocked against
rail sides and tighten screws. Recheck height adjust-
ment.
NOTE: The guides should lightly contact the guideFigure
ZF-2 Sun Roof Front Guide
rail and should have a clearance of no more than 0.02
inch.
ADJUSTMENT. REAR OF SUN ROOF
To adjust height of rear of sun roof proceed as fol-
lows:1. Completely close sun roof and check that the rear
sun roof lifter guides from approximately a 90 degree
angle with respect to the guide rail and that the lifter
contacts the guide stop (see Figure
2F-3). If this is
Figure
2F-3 Rear Sun Roof Lifter 90 Degrees toGuide Rail

SEATS, INTERIOR TRIM AND HEADLINING26-33SEATS, INTERIOR TRIM AND HEADLINING
CONTENTS
SubjectPage No.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION: (Not Applicable)
DIAGNOSIS: (Not Applicable)
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS: (Not
Applicable)
MAJOR REPAIR:
Removal and Installation
FrontSeat
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RearSeat
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glove Compartment Lock ..,.........................................
Front
SidePanelTrimPad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Headlining
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RearSidePanelTrimPad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPECIFICATIONS: (Not Applicable)26-33
26-33
26-3426-34
26-3526-37
MAJOR REPAIRREMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF FRONT SEAT
1. Pull hook out of seat lock. See Figure 2G-2.
2.TZ.Gy3at towards the front and unscrew. See Fig
Figure
2G-2 Pulling Hook Out of Seat LockFigure
2G-3 Seat To Underbody Attachment
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF REAR SEAT
BACK1. Push seat towards seat back and unhook it to-
wards the top. See Figure
2G-4.
2. Unscrew safety belt on left and right side and bendup metal tabs below seat back. See Figure
2~3-5.

2H-381973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
BUMPERS
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION: Protective Moldings
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. . . . *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS: (Not Applicable)
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS: (Not
Applicable) MAJOR REPAIR: Removal and Installation
1900
- Manta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer Hitch Installation, . , . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SPECIFICATIONS: (Not Applicable) Page No.
2H-38
2H-38
2H-39
2H-41
DESCRIPTION ‘AND OPERATION
PROTECTIVE MOLDINGS
All 1973 Opel bumpers are equipped with rubber
protective moldings as standard equipment. The
moldings are easily removed by removing the attach-
ing nuts located on the inboard side of the bumper.
MAJOR REPAIR
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF FRONT
BUMPER AND BUMPER GUARDS
(OPEL 1900 -
MANTA)
Removal
1. Remove bumper attaching screws on inside
- left
and right
- and from left and right brackets. See
Figure
2H-2.
2. From the front, unscrew bumper guard attaching
screws. See Figure‘
2H-2.
Remove bumper and bumper guards.
Installation
1. Attach bumper guards to bumper.
Figure ZH-2 Bumper Attaching Screws
2. From the front, secure bumper guards with attach-
ing screws. See Figure
2H-2.
3. Install attaching bolts on left and right brackets,
and on left and right inside. See Figure
2H-2.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF FRONT
BUMPER BRACKETS (OPEL 1900
- MANTA)
The front bumper brackets are attached with three
screws. Removal of the three screws will allow re- moval and installation of the front bumper brackets.
See Figure
2H-3.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF REAR
BUMPER AND GUARDS (OPEL 1900
- MANTA)
1. Remove license plate lamp.
2. Remove bumper attaching screws and bumper
brackets. See Figure
2H-4.

3A- 21973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
FRONT SUSPENSION
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION:SuspensionDescription. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DIAGNOSIS: (Not Applicable)
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS:
FrontWheel
BearingAdjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAJOR REPAIR:
Removal and Installation of Front Suspension . . . . . . . .Upper Ball Joint Removal and Installation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lower Ball Joint Removal and
Installation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upper Control Arm
Removal andInstallation
. . . . . . . . . .Lower Control Arm Removal and Installation
. . . . . . . .Steering
Knuckle
RemovalandInstallation. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shock Absorber
RemovalandInstallation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Front Spring Removal and Installation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPECIFICATIONS:Page No.
3A- 2
3A- 4
3A- 4
3A- 7
3A- 73A-103A-113A-133A-153A-15
Bolt Torque and Front End Alignment Specifications
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-18
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
SUSPENSION DESCRIPTION
GTThe GT uses a maintenance-free independent front
wheel suspension and features unequal length con-
trol arms and a transverse three-leaf spring. The en-
tire front suspension is attached to the front cross
member and can be removed as a unit if so desired.
The engines installed in the GT are not supported by
mounting brackets but rest on a separate cross mem-
ber. The front suspension cross member is reinforced
in the area of the attachment to the frame. A one-
part damper plate is installed between cross member
and frame.
Ball joints are employed in the conventional manner
to provide pivoting joints between the control arms
and steering knuckles. Upward movement of the
control arms is limited by two large rubber bumpers
attached to the cross member.Road shock is dampened by the double direct acting
shock absorbers and a transverse double or triple
steel band spring. In addition, the shock absorber
limits downward travel of the control arms.
All moving parts, including ball joints, have no need
for lubrication as they have been pre-lubricated for
the life of the vehicle.
For distinguishing the individual front suspension
cross members,.a red label with black letters is stuck
onto the front side of the shock absorber support. See
Figure 3A-3.
Opel 1900. Manta
The front wheel suspension has coil springs and con-
trol arms of different length.
The stabilizer is designed to act as a tie strut. The end
is supported in a rubber bushing which is located in
a piece of tubing welded into the longer control arm.
To minimize brake torque, the horizontal shafts of

3A- 41973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
The two cross-members to body supports are at-
tached to the horizontal part of the cross-member
with two bolts. The oufererbolt serves simultaneously
as support for the lower control arm. As the bolt is
inserted from the front, the cross-member to body
support can be removed without the lower control
arm. The inner bolt attaches simultaneously to the
steering.
The stabilizer is U-shaped and supported in rubber
bushings in the two cross-members to body supports.
The complete front suspension is attached to the
underbody in four places.
The engine damper blocks are bolted to the inside of
the inclined parts of the cross-member.
The front wheel bearings are roller bearings.
All front suspension joints are maintenance-free.
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTSFRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT
1. If wheel has not previously been removed from the
car, remove grease cap, cotter pin, and spindle nut.
Discard cotter pin.
2. Torque spindle nut to 18
lb.ft. while rotating
wheel. This will allow the bearings to settle.
3. Back offspindle nut
l/4 turn. If slot and cotter pin
hole are staggered, further back off nut
l/l2 turn,
but do not tighten, until next slot in nut is in align-
ment with hole in spindle. Install new cotter pin. A
properly adjusted wheel bearing has a small amount
of end play and a loose nut when adjusted in the
above manner.
MAJOR REPAIRREMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF FRONT
SUSPENSION
(COMPLETE ASSEMBLY)
Removal GT1. Prior to raising front end of car, apply parking
brake and block rear wheels.
2. Raise front end of car with a jack. It is recom-
mended that a wood block be placed between thejack and the front cross member to prevent damage
to the cross member.
3. Support front end of car by placing floor standsunde:r jacking brackets.
4. Support engine-transmission assembly in upper-
most position with jack stand at rear of engine, or an
alternate method would be to use Engine Holding
Fixture, Tool J-23375. See Figure 3A-5.
Install tool by removing upper kngine mount nut and
installing fixture. Replace nut and tighten. The en-
gine will now be supported by the tool between the
frame rails.
Figure
3A-5 Engine Holding Fixture Installed
5. Loosen steering mast at the lower universal joint
and take out clamp bolt. Loosen clamp at the upper
universal joint and lift steering mast upwards until it
is free at the lower universal joint. See Figure
3A-6.6. Disconnect brake lines at brake hose.
7. Disconnect shock absorber at upper mounting. It
is necessary to remove air cleaner. See Figure
3A-24.8. Disconnect engine mounts at cross member.
9. Remove front suspension cross member attaching
nuts and lower the cross member.
Removal Opel 1900 - Manta1. Prior to raising front end of car, apply parking
brake and block rear wheels.

FRONT SUSPENSION3A- 9
8. Press ball stud out of lower control arm.Removal Opel 1900 - MantaBefore raising vehicle, install Hooks J-23697 on re-
spective vehicle side to cross member and upper con-
trol arm. See Figure 3A-7.
1. Raise car and support at rear of front frame rails.
2. Remove front wheel.
3. At the lower control arm ball joint, remove castle
nut cotter pin and slacken back nut so that the thread
can no longer be damaged.
4. With a suitable drift, detach ball joint from steer-
ing knuckle. With jack, lift up lower control arm,
unscrew castle nut and remove Hooks J-23697.
5. Unscrew upper control arm ball joint and suspend
front wheel hub and brake caliper in wheel house. Do
not turn upper control arm ball joint flange, as this
would result in a change of camber.
6. Remove defective lower control arm ball joint
using Tools J-9519 and Receiver J-23754.
Installation GT
CAUTION:
Fasteners are important attachingparts in
that they could affect the performance of
vitaI com-
ponents and systems, and/or could result in
ma&r
repair expense. They must be replaced with one of
the same part
numer 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-
sembly to assure proper retention of these parts.1. When pressing the ball joint in place, make certain
the locating notch in the lower rim of the ball joint
matches the alignment reference mark placed on the
lower control arm prior to removal. The notch in the
ball joint bottom plate, identifying the direction of
the elongated slot, must point towards the brake
drum backing plate. See Figure
3A-17. Alignment
must be within 2 degrees of lower control arm center-
line. If proper positioning of the ball joint is not
accomplished, the result is a limitation of the neces-
sary ball stud movement. If ball stud movement is
limited, an interference between the ball stud and
housing is created, and binding or even fracture may
occur. Replacement ball joints may or may not have
marking notch as shown in Figure
3A-20. If it does
not have a marking notch, the joint is completelysymetrical and may be installed in any position.
When pressing in ball joint do not press on bottom
plate, but on ball joint housing only.2. Install dust cap on lower ball joint and fill with
chassis lubricant. Attach dust cap retainer.
3. Press ball joint into steering knuckle. Use
J-9519-3 as installer and J-21690 as a supporting
sleeve.4. Install castle nut on ball joint stud and torque to
40
Ib.ft. Install new cotter pin.
5. Reconnect shock absorber to lower control arm
and torque to 30 lb.ft.
6. Remove spring compressor.
7. Install front wheel, and lower the car.
8. Always check caster and camber after ball joint
replacement.
Installation Opel 1900 - Manta
CAUTION:
Fasteners are important attachingparts in
that they could
aff’ect the performance of vital com-
ponents and systems, and/or could result in
ma&r
repair expense. They must be
rep/aced with one of
the same part number or with equivalent parts, if
rep/acement becomes necessary. Do not use a re-
p/acement part of lesser quality or substitute design.
Torque valves must be used as
specitied during reas-
sembIy to assure proper retention of these parts.1. Drive new ball joint into lower control arm using
Tools J-9519 as installer and J-23755 as a supporting
sleeve. Do not strike onto ball joint bottom.
The ball joint is maintenance-free. It is supplied as an
assembly only and cannot be disassembled further.
2. On new lower control arm ball joint, make sure
that the marking groove in the housing bottom in
alignment with the axis of the lower control arm.
Permissible deviation: minus 2 degrees to plus 2 de-
grees.This is required, to obtain the maximum freedom of
movement of the ball stud in the housing. See Figure
3A-18.3. Attach steering knuckle together with front wheel
hub and brake caliper to lower control arm ball joint.
Torque castle nut to 54
ft.lbs.4. Attach ball joint to upper control arm and torque
to 29
ft.lbs. Always use new self-locking nuts.
5. Install wheel and tighten nuts to a torque of 65
ft.lbs.6. Lower car and check caster and camber.