1973 OPEL GT-R steering wheel

WHEELS AND TIRES3G- 55
WHEELS AND TIRES
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION: (Not Applicable)
DIAGNOSIS:
Car
RoughnessandVibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AbnormalTireWear
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS:
Demounting and Mounting Tubeless Tires
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wheel
andTireBalance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAJOR REPAIR: (Not Applicable)
SPECIFICATIONS:
Specifications
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page No.
3G-55
3G-58
3G-6136-6236-62
DIAGNOSIS
CAR ROUGHNESS AND VIBRATIONinflation pressures and perform tire inspection, in-
cluding removal of any foreign material on tire tread
or wheel large enough to upset balance.
Possible Causes
To assist in the diagnosis and correction of some of
the more stubborn cases of tire vibration and rough-
ness conditions that may be encountered, the follow-
ing information is offered:Tire inflation pressure recommendations are very
important at all times and particularly so on all ride
complaints. Raising or lowering tire pressures to
“improve” mileage or traction should not be at-
tempted.
VIBRATION, or a quivering motion condition, no-
ticeable by feel through the steering column, steering
wheel, floor
p&n, or by hood and fender shake, usu-
ally originates from the front wheels and tires. Front
end vibration, when caused by unbalanced front
wheels, can be generally felt as steering wheel “nib-ble”.Next, road-test the car with the owner, if possible,
and have the owner explain the specific ride disturb-
ance.After road-testing, raise car on hoist and proceed to
isolate the offending tire/wheel assembly.
Reproducing the Disturbance
A vibration felt through the seats as a side-to-side
disturbance can usually be attributed to the rearIn an attempt to reproduce the disturbance ex-
wheels and tires.perienced in the ride, a wheel spinner can be used on
the front wheels of the car.
Both front and rear vibration can be noticed mainly
at highway speeds, usually over 60 mph.The rear wheels may be spun by placing car in
“Drive” with engine running.
ROUGHNESS, noticeable primarily at speeds be-
tween 40 and 65 mph, can be felt (and occasionally
heard), and is due to certain irregularities in the tire.
Roughness usually sets up a “trembling” feel or a
shuddering effect.When spinning rear wheels, never exceed a speedom-
eter speed of 35 mph with a standard rear axle assem-
bly, or 75 mph on one with a positive traction rear
axle. Excessive speeds may cause damage to the rear
axle assembly.
Road-Test With Owner
When a ride complaint is encountered, first checkJack up both rear wheels by placing the jack under
the differential housing. Spin one wheel and tire with
the opposite wheel held from rotating by holding the

WHEELS AND TIRES3G- 61Cornering Tread WearThe modern independently-sprung automobile al-
lows the driver to negotiate turns at a high rate of
speed with a greater feeling of safety. This fact is
responsible for a comparatively new type of tread
wear that can easily be mistaken for toe or camber
wear.When a car is making a turn, the tires are supposed
to be rolling in a circle. When the turn is made at
high speed, however, centrifugal force acting on the
car causes the tires to be distorted sideways and to
slip or skid on the road surface. This produces a
diagonal cross type of wear, which in severe cases
will result in a fine or sharp edge on each rib of the
tire treads.
Cornering wear can be distinguished from toe or
camber wear by the rounding of the outside shoulder
of the tire and by the roughening of tread surface in
this section denoting severe abrasion. See Figure
3G-7.No alignment or tire pressure cahnge can be made
that will relieve cornering wear. Only the driver can
effect a cure and that is by slowing down on curves.
Heel and Toe Tread WearHeel and toe wear is a saw-tooth effect with one end
of each tread block worn more than the other.
The end which wears is the one that first grips the
road when the brakes are applied. High-speed driv-
ing and excessive “se of the brakes will cause this
type of irregular tire wear. This type of wear will
occur on any type of block tread design. See Figure3G-7.
Heel and toe wear is not so prevalent on the rear tires
because of the propelling action which creates a
counteracting force which wears the opposite end of
the tread block. These two stresses on the rear tires
wear the tread blocks in opposite directions and re-
sult in more even wear while on the front tires, the
braking stress is the only one which is effective. This
may be counteracted by interchanging tires.
A small amount of irregular wear, slightly
saw-toothed in appearance, at the outer segments of tires
is a normal condition and is due to the difference in
circumference between the center and the outer
edges of the tire tread. This saw-toothed appearance,
however, will be exaggerated by underinflation, im-
proper toe-in, or both.Cupped or Scalloped Type Tire Wear
Cupping or scalloping is associated with wear on acar driven mostly at highway speeds without recom-
mended tire rotation. Factors which promote cup-
ping include underinflation, incorrect toe-in setting
or camber setting, and steady highway speeds on
smooth, paved surfaces as opposed to gravel or
rough asphalt.
The following recommendations suggest action that
may be taken to help prevent cupping.
1. Rotate tires as recommended in Figure
3G-6.2. Frequently inspect front tires for irregular wear
due to underinflation, improper toe-in setting, or
camber setting. Regardless of the original cause of
cupped tread wear on either front tire, no alignment
or balance job, however perfect, can prevent future
excessive wear of the spots. Once a front tire acquires
flat or cupped spots, additional wear will continue at
a rapid rate. At the time of correction, however, the
cupped tire should be interchanged with a rear tire
on which the tread runs true. The cupped tire will,
to a certain degree, true itself on a rear wheel.
Although not normally the cause of cupping, the
following factors can contribute to the problem.
Looseness of parts in the suspension system, such as
worn steering knuckle ball joints, loose wheel bear-
ings, inoperative shock absorbers, and any excessive
looseness throughout the steering system all tend to
allow the front wheels to kick around and, if any of
the wheel alignment factors are incorrect, irregular
spotty tire tread wear of one type or another may
result.
Wobble or runout of a tire, either front or rear, due
to bent wheel or to tire being improperly mounted
will cause uneven wear.
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTSDEMOUNTING AND MOUNTING
TUBELESS TIRESDue to “se of symmetrical rims, tires must be
mounted over the narrow rim shoulder i.e., over out-
side rim flange.
When demounting a tubeless tire “se care to avoid
damaging the rim-seal ridges on tire beads DO NOT
USE TIRE IRONS TO FORCE BEADS A WA Y
FROM WHEEL RIM FLANGES.
When tire is removed, inspect it carefully to deter-
mine whether loss of air was caused by puncture or
by improper
tit of beads against rim flanges. If im-
proper fit is indicated, check wheel as follows: Do
not reuse dented rims.

3G- 621973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
1. Clean rims thoroughly, using No. 3 coarse steel
wool to remove all oxidized rubber, soap solution,
etc. Remove rust with wire brush.2. Inspect butt weld and other areas of rim contactedby tire beads to make certain there is no groove or
high spot. Remove any groove or high spot by tiling
smooth.
3. Inspect valve stem and replace it if damaged.
Make certain that valve stem is properly installed to
provide an air tight joint.
4. Before mounting a tubeless tire on a wheel, mois-
ten a cloth with mounting compound or soap solu-
tion and wipe rim-seal ridges of both beads to remove
all foreign substances.
5. Moisten base of both beads with mounting com-
pound or soap solution to help beads snap into place
when tire is inflated. Start tire over rim flange at
point opposite valve stem.
6. Inflate tire until both beads are firmly seated
against rim flanges and temporarily over inflate.
Leak test wheel and tire assembly and if satisfactory,
reduce to recommended pressure.
SPECIFICATIONSWHEEL AND TIRE BALANCE
Wheel and tire balance is the equal distribution of the
weight of the wheel and tire assembly around the axis
of rotation. Wheel unbalance is the principal cause of
tramp and general car shake and roughness and con-
tributes somewhat to steering troubles.
The original balance of the tire and wheel assembly
may change as the tire wears. Severe acceleration,
severe brake applications, fast cornering and side slip
wear the tires out in spots and often upset the origi-
nal balance condition and make it desirable to rebal-
ance the tire and wheel as an assembly. Tire and
wheel assemblies should be rebalanced after punc-
tures are repaired.
Because of the speed at which cars are driven, it is
necessary to test the wheel and tire assembly for
dynamic balance. Dynamic balancing of a wheel and
tire assembly must be done on a machine designed to
indicate out-of-balance conditions while the wheel is
rotating on the car. Since procedures differ with dif-
ferent machines, the instructions of the equipment
manufacturer must be carefully followed.
General SpecificationsWheels
Opel 1900
- Manta and GT ,._......,,,._.................,...,,..............................~,,,.................... 5.J x 13
Tires
1900 - Manta __.......,,___.,...,,..,.....,,....,,...........,...,,.,,...,.........,,..................,....................... 165-13
GT . . . . . . . ..__........_..............,...,,........,,,...,,..........,....,..,,...,,........,..................,,,.....................165-13
Tire Size and Pressures (Pounds Per Square Inch
Cold)
ModelTire Size51.53.54.57
165-1357R.57L165-13
77
165-13Recommended(Standard
PressureInflation)
FrontRear24
PSI32PSI23
PSI26PSI
19PSI23
PSI
NOTE:
1.Tire inflation pressures may increase as much as 6 pounds per square inch
when hot.
2.For continuous high-speed operation (over 75 MPH), increase tire inflation
pressures 4 pounds per square inch over the recommended pressures up to a
maximum of 30 pounds per square inch cool for 4 ply rating tires. When the
4 psi pressure adjustment for sustained high speed with maximum vehicle load

5B- 10 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
DISC BRAKES
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION:
Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Operation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DIAGNOSIS:
DiscBrakeTroubleDiagnosis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS:
Disc Brake Maintenance
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Checking Disc Brake Friction Pads for Wear
. . . . . . . . . .Replacing Friction Pads
Checking Brake Disc for Lateral
Runout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAJOR REPAIR:
RemovingandInstallingBrakeCaliper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Removing and Installing Brake Disc
. . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RemovingandInstallingBrakeDiscShield. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disassembly and Assembly of Brake Caliper
. . . . . . . . . .SPECIFICATIONS:
Disc Brake Specifications
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page No.
58-1058-l
1
58-12
58-15
SB-15
5&17
56-17
58-17
58-195519
58-21
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
DESCRIPTIONThe front wheel disc brake consists of two major
parts: The brake disc and the brake caliper with the
two friction pads. See Figure
5B-20.The brake disc is attached to the inside of the wheel
hub flange by four bolts and centered on a shoulder
of the hub. The brake caliper consists of two halves:
the mounting half, arranged on the inside of the
brake disc, and the rim half. The two halves are
firmly attached to each other by four bolts. Two
flanges on the mounting half serve as attachment of
the brake caliper to the steering knuckle. The brake
caliper is positioned behind the front suspension
cross member at steering knuckle spindle level. It is
attached to the steering knuckle by two bolts. Both
caliper halves act as brake cylinders and each houses
a piston and a fluid seal. The fluid seal, of square
cross section, is positioned in an annular groove of
the caliper bore, preventing fluid leakage past the
piston and entry of water and dirt. The pistons and
caliper half bores are protected against entry of waterFigure 58.20 Left Front Disc Brake Assembly
and dirt in brake disc direction by a rubber seal, held
on the caliper half collar by a clamp ring and against

DISC BRAKES58.17a tine cut file.Do not use any solvent except dena-
tured alcohol. Do not use a
metaIJic scraper too/.8. With a punch, drive one dowel pin from inboard
side through caliper and friction pads to stop. Install
new cross-shaped retaining spring under installed
dowel pin, then install second dowel pin. Loose tit-
ting dowel pins must be replaced.
9. Before operating vehicle, depress brake pedal sev-
eral times to adjust friction pads to brake discs.
Check brake fluid level and add fluid as necessary to
bring level up to “MAX” on reservoir.
Car owners must be informed that a break-in period
exists for new friction pads, and that they must avoid
unnecessary, forceful braking during the first 125
miles after installation of new friction pads.
Checking Brake Disc for Lateral Runout1. Remove front wheel assembly.
2. Remove front wheel bearing hub cap and spindle
nut cotter pin. Tighten spindle nut until all free play
is removed from wheel bearings.
3. To check disc runout, use Dial Indicator Set
J-
8001. Attach dial support C-clamp to an upper ball
joint attaching bolt as shown in Figure
5B-27. Posi-
tion dial indicator button against brake disc
l/2 inch
from outer circumference.
Figure 58-27 Checking Brake Disc Lateral
Runout4. Rotate disc, reading maximum dial indicator
movement. Maximum permissible runout is
,004
inch.5. If runout exceeds
0% inch, remove disc and hubassembly and true disc in a suitable disc turning
lathe, following manufacturer’s instructions. The
depth of cut on each side of disc should be just deep
enough to get a true flat surface.
6. After truing disc on both sides, check thickness
with a micrometer. A disc with a thickness of less
than ,394 inch is liable to warp after hard braking
and, therefore, must be discarded.
7. Reinstall brake disc and hub assembly, removing
all play from wheel bearings. Repeat runout check.
If runout still exceeds
,001 inch, replace brake disc.
8. Adjust front wheel bearings.
9. Reinstall front wheel assembly.
MAJOR REPAIR
REMOVING AND INSTALLING BRAKE CALIPER1. Remove left or right front wheel and remove fric-
tion pads from brake caliper.
2. Loosen brake line to brake caliper union nut sev-
eral turns. Unscrew brake caliper plus brake hose
bracket from steering knuckle. Remove it from brake
disc and swing it sideways. Then unscrew brake pipe
from brake hose and remove brake caliper and brake
pipe (bent pipe). To prevent brake fluid loss, close
brake hose with a plug.
3. Prior to installation,check contacting surfaces of
the brake caliper and steering knuckle to make sure
they are free of any burrs and dirt.
4. Install brake caliper on steering knuckle and
torque attaching bolts to 72
lb.ft. See Figure 5B-28.CAUTION: This disc brake
cah@er attachments fas-
tener is an important attaching part in that it could
affect the performance of vital components and sys-
tems, a,ld/or could result in major repair expense. It
must be replaced with one of the same part numberor with an equivafent part, if repfacement becomes
necessary. Do not use a replacement part of Jesser
quaJity ‘or substitute design. Torque vafues must be
used as specitied during reassembly to assure proper
retention of this part.
5. Attach brake pipe to brake hose.
6. Install friction pads and replace wheel.
REMOVING AND INSTALLING
BRAKE DISC
1. Jack-up and support front of car and remove front

58-181973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
Figure 58.28 Brake Caliper
to Steering Knuckle
Attaching Bolts
wheel. Disconnect brake caliper with friction pads
from steering knuckle and support the assembly as
shown in Figure
5B-29.Figure 58.29 Supporting Brake Caliper
2. Remove front wheel hub and disc assembly along
with wheel bearings.
3. Mount brake disc and wheel hub between soft
metal jaws in vise.
Do not hold too tightly, to avoidbending whet-1 bolts. Remove four star head bolts
with lockwashers using Star Wrench Adapter
J-
21737.
Piior to removal, markposition ofbrake disc
in relation to wheel hub. See
Figure 5B-30.Figure 58.30 Removing Brake Disc
to Hub Bolts
4. Pull brake disc from wheel hub. Do not drive if off.
Install in reverse sequence, paying attention to the
following:
5. Prior to installation of the brake disc, ensure that
the contacting surface of brake disc to wheel hub is
free of burrs, dirt and high spots. If necessary,
remove high spots and check disc for flatness on a
surface plate. Carefully remove burrs with a scraper
or file.
6. Also check contacting surface of wheel hub to
brake disc to make sure it is in good condition. The
same applies to brake disc aligning shoulder on
wheel hub. See Figure
5B-315831
Figure
5B-31 Brake Disc to Hub Contact Surface

DISC BRAKES5B- 19
CAUTION:
Fasteners in Steps 7 and 9 are important
attachingparts in that they cooId affect theperfom-
ante of vital components and systems, and/or couJd
resuJt in major repair expense. They must be re-
placed with one of the same part number or with an
equivaJent part if repJacement becomes necessary.
Do not use a replacement part
or Jesser quaJity or
substitute design. Torque
vaJues must be used as
specified during
reassembJy to assure proper reten-
tion of these parts.7. Install brake disc on wheel hub and torque attach-
ing bolts to 36
Ib.ft. If old brake disc is reused, pay
attention to locator marks on brake disc and wheel
hub.8. Prior to installing brake disc and hub assembly to
steering knuckle, check lubrication of both roller
bearings and quantity of grease in cavity of wheel
hub. If necessary, repack front wheel bearings.
9. Adjust front wheel bearing clearance and tighten
brake caliper to steering knuckle, attaching bolts to
a torque of 72
lb.ft. Prior to installing brake caliper
to steering knuckle, ensure that all contacting sur-
faces are free of dirt and burrs. Also make sure that
the friction pads are not damaged when sliding the
brake caliper onto brake disc.
10. Install wheel assembly, remove supports and
lower front of car.
REMOVING AND INSTALLING
BRAKE DISC SHIELD
Removal
1. Remove brake disc.
2. Remove disc shield from steering knuckle by
removing one Phillips head screw on the outside and
on the inside, the lower steering arm and disc shield
to steering knuckle bolt. Remove paper gaskets from
steering knuckle. See Figure
5B-32.Installation
1. Prior to placing new paper gasket between brake
disc shield and steering knuckle, lightly coat both
surfaces of paper gasket with chassis lubricant.
2. Install disc and tighten disc shield and steering
arm to steering knuckle bolt to a torque of 47
lb.ft.CAUTION:
This steen;Og arm and steering knuckJe to
backing plate
fisteneris an important attachingpart
in that it
couJd at&t the performance of viral com-
ponents and systems, and/or
couJd resuJt in major
repair expense. It must be replaced with one of theFigure 58-32 Brake Disc Shield Attached
to SteeringKnuckle
same part number or with an equivalent part, if re-
pJacement becomes necessary. Do not use a rep/ace-
merit part of Jesser quaJity or substitute design.
Torque values must be used as specitied during reas-
sembly to assure proper retention of this part.3. Replace one Phillips head screw on outside of disc.
See Figure
5B-32.DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
OF BRAKE CALIPER
1. Remove brake pipe from brake caliper. If both
calipers have to be repaired, it is advisable to mark
them with “L” or “R” on removal to avoid errors
when installing parts, such as pistons, etc. The brake
caliper halves must not be disassembled during re-
pair work. All work, such as pressing out pistons,
replacing seals in brake caliper, is carried out with
the two caliper halves bolted together.
2. Pry clamp rings from rubber seals, using a screw-
driver (Figure
5B-26) and remove rubber seals.
3. Remove piston first from caliper rim half (Figure
5B-33), and then out of the caliper mounting half
(Figure
5B-34) of the brake caliper, using mounting
clamp J-22429. To be able to force the piston out of
the caliper rim half, block the piston in the caliper
mounting half with mounting clamp J-22429 as
shown in Figure
5B-33. To force the piston out of the
caliper mounting half, place the mounting clamp on
caliper rim half, as shown in Figure
5B-34, and
tighten wing nut so that the rubber plate seals off the
caliper rim half bore. Then connect compressed air
hose to brake line connection in the caliper mounting

DISC BRAKES5B- 21caliper half collars and the clamp rings are correctly
positioned on rubber seals.
12. Install brake caliper on steering knuckle, torqu-
ing bolts to 72 lb.ft.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.
CAUTION: This disc brake caliper attachments fas-
tener is an important attaching part in that it couldatExt the performance of vital components and sys-
tems, and/or could result in
ma@r repair expense. It
must be replaced with one of the
same part number13. Attach brake pipe to caliper and torque to 22
lb.ft.14. Bleed brakes as necessary.
SPECIFICATIONSDISC BRAKE SPECIFICATIONS
General Specifications
DiscBrakeType. . . . . . . . . . .
Location
..,,.,..__....__.,,.,,,................,,,................,....Disc Type
.._.......................................................I.-. -.
......................2 Piston Fixed Caliper - Disc
........................................Front Wheels Only
..............................................Solid Cast Iron
useuameter...................................................,..............................................................9.370Disc Lateral Runout (Maximum)
......................................................................................,004DiscThickness
(New).........................................................................................................430DiscThickness(Minimum)
................................................................................................,394DiscParallelism(ThicknessTolerance)
...........................................................................0006Brake Shoe and Lining Type
........................................................................................Bonded
Brake Shoe and Lining Thickness (New)
..........................................................................
,550Brake Shoe and Lining Minimum Thickness Before
Replacement
....................................................................................................................,280Disc Brake Master Cylinder Bore
.......................................................................................8 10Disc Brake Caliper Cylinder Bore
- GT..........................................................................1.770Disc Brake Caliper Cylinder Bore Opel
1900 and Manta..............................................
1.890Disc Brake Shoe Adjustment
..............................................................................Self-Adjusting
Torque Specifications
Use a reliable torque wrench to tighten the parts listed, to insure proper
tightness without straining or distorting parts. These specifications are for
clean and lightly-lubricated threads only; dry or dirty threads produce in-
creased friction which prevents accurate measurement of tightness.
Bolt
Bolt
Bolt
NutName
BrakeCalipertoSteeringKnuckle
BrakeDisctoWheelHub
Brake Disc Shield to Steering Knuckle and Steering
Arm.
Brake Pipe to Caliper
.,.,...............................,......................Torque
Lb.Ft.
72
36
47
22