1998 OPEL FRONTERA wheel bolts

DIFFERENTIAL (FRONT) 4A1–2
Front Drive Axle
Diagnosis
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Oil Leak At Front AxleWorn or defective oil seal.Replace the oil seal.
Front axle housing cracked.Repair or replace.
Oil Leak At Pinion ShaftToo much gear oil.Correct the oil level.
Oil seal worn or defective.Replace the oil seal.
Pinion flange loose or damaged.Tighten or replace.
Noises In Front Axle Drive Shaft
JointBroken or worn drive shaft joints and
bellows (BJ and DOJ).Replace the drive shaft joints and
bellows.
“Clank” When Accelerating From
“Coast”Loose drive shaft joint to output shaft
bolts.Tighten.
Damaged inner drive shaft joint.Replace.
Shudder or Vibration During
Acceleration
Excessive drive shaft joint angle.Repair.
AccelerationWorn or damaged drive shaft joints.Replace.
Sticking spider assembly (inner drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Sticking joint assembly (outer drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Vibration At Highway SpeedsOut of balance or out of round tires.Balance or replace.
Front end out of alignment.Align.
Noises in Front AxleInsufficient gear oil.Replenish the gear oil.
Wrong or poor grade gear oil.Replace the gear oil.
Drive pinion to ring gear backlash
incorrect.Adjust the backlash.
Worn or chipped ring gear, pinion
gear or side gear.Replace the ring gear, pinion gear or
side gear.
Pinion shaft bearing worn.Replace the pinion shaft bearing.
Wheel bearing worn.Replace the wheel bearing.
Differential bearing loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Wanders and PullsWheel bearing preload too tight.Adjust the wheel bearing preload.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Steering linkage loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Steering gear out of adjustment.Adjust or replace the steering gear.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Adjust the inflation or replace.
Front or rear suspension parts loose
or broken.Tighten or replace.
Front Wheel ShimmyWheel bearing worn or improperly
adjusted.Adjust or replace.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Worn ball joint or bush.Replace the ball joint or bush.
Steering linkage loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Steering gear out of adjustment.Tighten or replace.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Replace or adjust the inflation.
Shock absorber worn.Replace the shock absorber.

4A2A–2
DIFFERENTIAL (REAR 220mm)
General Description
The rear axle assembly is of the semi–floating type in
which the vehicle weight is carried on the axle housing .
The center line of the pinion gear is below the center line
of the ring gear (hypoid drive).
All parts necessary to transmit power from the propeller
shaft to the rear wheels are enclosed in a banjo type axle
housing.
The 8.7 inch ring gear rear axle uses a conventional ring
and pinion gear set to transmit the driving force of the
engine to the rear wheels. This gear set transfers thisdriving force at a 90 degree angle from the propeller shaft
to the drive shafts.
The axle shafts are supported at the wheel end of the
shaft by a roller bearing.
The pinion gear is supported by two tapered roller
bearings. The pinion depth is set by a shim pack located
between the gear end of the pinion and the roller bearing
that is pressed onto the pinion. The pinion bearing
preload is set by crushing a collapsible spacer between
the bearings in the axle housing.
A04RS001
The ring gear is bolted onto the differential cage with 12
bolts.
The differential cage is supported in the axle housing by
two tapered roller bearings. The differential and ring gear
are located in relationship to the pinion by using selective
shims and spacers between the bearing and the axle
housing. To move the ring gear, shims are deleted from
one side and an equal amount are added to the other side.
These shims are also used to preload the bearings whichare pressed onto the differential cage. Two bearing caps
are used to hold the differential into the rear axle housing.
The differential is used to allow the wheels to turn at
different rates of speed while the rear axle continues to
transmit the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing
when going around corners and prevents premature wear
on internal axle parts.
The rear axle is sealed with a pinion seal, a seal at each
axle shaft end, and by a liquid gasket between the
differential carrier and the axle housing.

4A2A–8
DIFFERENTIAL (REAR 220mm)
Differential Assembly
Differential Assembly and Associated Parts
425RW055
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(ABS model only).
Refer to 4–Wheel Anti–lock Brake System (ABS) in
Brake 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.

4A2B–2DIFFERENTIAL (REAR 244mm)
General Description
The rear axle assembly is of the semi–floating type in
which the vehicle weight is carried on the axle housing .
The center line of the pinion gear is below the center line
of the ring gear (hypoid drive).
All parts necessary to transmit power from the propeller
shaft to the rear wheels are enclosed in a banjo type axle
housing.
The 9.61 inch ring gear rear axle uses a conventional ring
and pinion gear set to transmit the driving force of the
engine to the rear wheels. This gear set transfers thisdriving force at a 90 degree angle from the propeller shaft
to the drive shafts.
The axle shafts are supported at the wheel end of the
shaft by a roller bearing.
The pinion gear is supported by two tapered roller
bearings. The pinion depth is set by a shim pack located
between the gear end of the pinion and the roller bearing
that is pressed onto the pinion. The pinion bearing
preload is set by crushing a collapsible spacer between
the bearings in the axle housing.
A04RW001
The ring gear is bolted onto the differential cage with 12
bolts.
The differential cage is supported in the axle housing by
two tapered roller bearings. The differential and ring gear
are located in relationship to the pinion by using selective
shims and spacers between the bearing and the axle
housing. To move the ring gear, shims are deleted from
one side and an equal amount are added to the other side.
These shims are also used to preload the bearings whichare pressed onto the differential cage. Two bearing caps
are used to hold the differential into the rear axle housing.
The differential is used to allow the wheels to turn at
different rates of speed while the rear axle continues to
transmit the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing
when going around corners and prevents premature wear
on internal axle parts.
The rear axle is sealed with a pinion seal, a seal at each
axle shaft end, and by a liquid gasket between the
differential carrier and the axle housing.

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.

4C–3 DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM
Diagnosis
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Oil Leak At Front AxleWorn or defective oil seal.Replace the oil seal.
Front axle housing cracked.Repair or replace.
Oil Leak At Pinion ShaftToo much gear oil.Correct the oil level.
Oil seal worn or defective.Replace the oil seal.
Pinion flange loose or damaged.Tighten or replace.
Noises In Front Axle Drive Shaft
JointBroken or worn drive shaft joints and
bellows (BJ and DOJ).Replace the drive shaft joints and
bellows.
“Clank” When Accelerating From
“Coast”Loose drive shaft joint to output shaft
bolts.Tighten.
Damaged inner drive shaft joint.Replace.
Shudder or Vibration During
Acceleration
Excessive drive shaft joint angle.Repair.
AccelerationWorn or damaged drive shaft joints.Replace.
Sticking spider assembly (inner drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Sticking joint assembly (outer drive
shaft joint).Lubricate or replace.
Vibration At Highway SpeedsOut of balance or out of round tires.Balance or replace.
Front end out of alignment.Align.
Noises in Front AxleInsufficient gear oil.Replenish the gear oil.
Wrong or poor grade gear oil.Replace the gear oil.
Drive pinion to ring gear backlash
incorrect.Adjust the backlash.
Worn or chipped ring gear, pinion
gear or side gear.Replace the ring gear, pinion gear or
side gear.
Pinion shaft bearing worn.Replace the pinion shaft bearing.
Wheel bearing worn.Replace the wheel bearing.
Differential bearing loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Wanders and PullsWheel bearing preload too tight.Adjust the wheel bearing preload.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Steering linkage loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Steering gear out of adjustment.Adjust or replace the steering gear.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Adjust the inflation or replace.
Front or rear suspension parts loose
or broken.Tighten or replace.
Front Wheel ShimmyWheel bearing worn or improperly
adjusted.Adjust or replace.
Incorrect front alignment.Adjust the front alignment.
Worn ball joint or bush.Replace the ball joint or bush.
Steering linkage loose or worn.Tighten or replace.
Steering gear out of adjustment.Tighten or replace.
Tire worn or improperly inflated.Replace or adjust the inflation.
Shock absorber worn.Replace the shock absorber.

4C–5 DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM
7.Remove the parking brake cable mounting
bolts(Behind the back plate)(1).
311RS001
8. Remove the bearing holder mounting nuts.
9. Remove axle shaft assembly.
NOTE: Be sure not to damage the oil seal.
10. Remove snap ring.
11. Using a bearing remover 5–8840–2295–0 and press,
remove retainer together with the bearing holder.
420RW024
12. Remove bearing.
13. Remove bearing holder.
14. Remove back plate.15. Remove the wheel pins using a remover
5–8840–0079–0.
420RW023
Inspection and Repair
Make necessary correction or parts replacement if wear,
corrosion or any other abnormal conditions are found
through inspection.
Visual Check:
Check the following parts for wear, damage, noise or any
other abnormal conditions:
1. Axle shaft
2. Bearing
When checking the axle shaft, pay special attention to the
splined portions and replace the shaft if distortion or step
wear is noticeable. Correct slight step wear with a grinder.
420RS008

4C–10
DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM
8. Remove lock washer and lock screw.
9. Use wrench 5–8840–2117–0, remove hub nut.
411RW005
10. Remove hub and disc assembly.
11. Remove ABS sensor ring (If equipped).
12. Remove outer bearing.
13. Remove oil seal.
14. Remove inner bearing.
15. Remove bolt , if necessary, replace the wheel pin in
the following manner.
Apply a scribe mark(1) to disc to hub.
Clamp the hub and disc assembly in a vise, using
protective pads. Remove the 6 disc–to–hub
retaining bolts.
411RS003
Place hub on a suitable work surface and remove
the studs by using a hammer.
411RS004
Inspection and Repair
Make necessary correction or parts replacement if wear,
damage, corrosion or any other abnormal conditions are
found through inspection.
Check the following parts:
Hub
Hub bearing oil seal
Knuckle spindle
Disc
Caliper
Shift on the fly system parts (Cap, Hub flange, Shim,
Snap ring)
ABS sensor ring (If equipped)
For inspection and servicing of disc caliper and related
parts, refer to Brakes section.