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10•12 Suspension and steering
20.3a Removing an upper shroud securing
screw
3 Remove the upper and lower switch
shrouds. These are secured by eight screws
with the fixed steering wheel, or five screws
with the adjustable wheel (see illustrations).
4 Remove the steering lock cylinder, as
described in Section 23.
5 Disconnect the ignition switch multi-plug.
6 Remove the multi-function switches by
depressing their retaining clips. With the
adjustable wheel it may be necessary to undo
the switch housing screws and draw the
housing away from the dashboard to provide
sufficient clearance.
7 Make sure that the steering is in the
straight-ahead position, then remove the
flexible coupling clamp bolt from the base of
the column. Unbolt the column support from
the bulkhead and recover the washer.
8 Remove the column upper mounting
bracket nut and bolt. The bolt is of the
shear-head type: drill it and extract it with a
proprietary stud extractor, or it may be
possible to unscrew the bolt by driving its
head round with a chisel or punch. The nut is
a self-locking type and should be renewed.
9 Withdraw the column slightly to free it from
the flexible coupling, then remove it from the
vehicle. Avoid knocking or dropping it as this
could damage the collapsible section.
10 If a new column assembly is to be fitted, a
large plastic washer will be found at the base
of the column tube. This is to centre the shaft
in the tube and should be removed when
fitting is complete.
Refitting
11 Commence refitting by making sure that
the roadwheels are still in the straight-ahead
position, and that the flexible coupling is
positioned so that the column clamp bolt will
be horizontal and on top.
12 Offer the column assembly to its
mountings, inserting the base of the shaft into
the coupling. Insert the mounting nuts and
bolts, but only tighten them finger tight at this
stage. Do not try to force the column into
position or damage may result.
13 Tighten the column bulkhead support bolt
to the specified torque. Make sure the washer
is in place.
14 Tighten the upper mounting bracket
fastenings: the shear-head bolt should be
20.3b Removing a lower shroud securing
screw adjustable wheel
tightened until its head breaks off. The new
self-locking nut should be tightened to the
specified torque.
15 Pull the shaft upwards as far as it will go
and tighten the flexible coupling clamp bolt to
the specified torque.
16 Prise out the plastic washer from the base
of the column tube. It can stay on the shaft.
17 Reconnect the ignition switch and refit the
multi-function switches.
18 Refit the remaining components in the
reverse order to removal.
21 Steering column - overhaul
The steering column incorporates a
telescopic safety feature. In the event of a
front end crash, the shaft housing collapses
and prevents the steering wheel injuring the
driver. Before refitting the steering column
examine the column and mountings for signs
of damage and deformation and check the
steering shaft for signs of free play in the
column bushes. If there are signs of damage
or play, the column must be renewed.
Overhaul of the column is possible but this is
a fiddly task and should be entrusted to a
Vauxhall/Opel
dealer.
Vauxhall/Opel dealer for further information.
22 Steering column flexible
coupling - removal and refitting
Removal
1 Position the steering in the straight-ahead
position
2 Slacken the steering rack mountings on the
bulkhead.
3 Remove both clamp bolts from the
coupling.
4 Push the coupling upwards, remove it from
the pinion shaft, tilt it and withdraw it from the
column shaft.
Refitting
5 Before refitting, make sure that the
roadwheels are still in the straight-ahead
position and that the steering wheel spokes
are centred and pointing downwards.
6 Fit the coupling in such a position that the
column clamp bolt will be horizontal and on
top.
7 Push downwards on the coupling and
tighten the pinion side clamp bolt to the
specified torque.
8 Tighten the steering gear mountings to the
specified torque.
9 Pull the steering shaft upwards as far as it
will go and tighten the clamp bolt to the
specified torque.
10 Make sure that the roadwheels and the
steering wheel are still in the straight-ahead
position.
23 Steering lock cylinder and
ignition switch wiring block
- removal and refitting
1 To renew either the ignition switch or the
steering lock cylinder, first remove the lower
half of the steering column shroud by undoing
and
removing
Disconnect the battery negative terminal and
proceed as described under the relevant sub-
heading.
Ignition switch wiring block
2 Disconnect the wiring block from the
ignition switch.
3 Slacken the two small retaining screws and
withdraw the wiring block from the end of the
lock housing.
4 Refitting is the reverse of removal, ensuring
that the switch centre is correctly engaged
with the lock cylinder rod flats.
Steering lock cylinder
5 Disconnect the battery earth lead and, after
removing the lower half of the steering column
shroud, insert the ignition key and turn it to
the "II" position.
6 Using a piece of wire or a drill shank (3 mm
dia), depress the lock spring retaining the
Consult
your
cylinder and carefully withdraw the cylinder
from its housing (see illustration). It is
important that the ignition switch is not
removed or disturbed while the lock cylinder
is not fitted.
7 Before fitting a new lock cylinder insert the
ignition key and turn it to the "II" position.
Insert the assembly into the steering lock
23.6 Releasing the steering lock detent
spring with an Allen key (arrowed)
the
securing
screws.
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