Opel Frontera UE. Manual - part 706

DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM

4C–43

1. Apply alignment marks on the yokes of the universal 

joint, then remove the snap ring.

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If the snap ring is stuck in position, remove paint 
from the hole in the yoke or tap around the edge of 
the bearing lightly with a soft drift.

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2. Set the yoke in the arbor press with a piece of tube 

stock beneath it.
Place a solid plug on the upper bearing and press it 
through to release the lower bearing.

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3. If the bearing will not pull out by hand after pressing, 

tap the base of the lug near the bearing to dislodge 
it.

4. To remove the opposite bearing, turn the yoke over 

and straighten the spider in the open spider hole.  
Then carefully press on the end of the spider so the 
remaining bearing moves straight out of the bearing 
spider hole.  If the spider or bearing are cocked, the 
bearing will score the walls of the spider hole and 
ruin it.

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5. Repeat this procedure on the remaining bearing to 

remove the spider from the yoke. 

4C–44

DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM

Inspection

• Propeller shaft for run-out Aluminum tube type.

Static run-out limit :1.0mm(0.04in)
TIR full length of tubing maximum.
(TIR : Total Indicator Reading)

• Propeller shaft for runout (Steel tube type).

Static runout limit :0.13mm(0.005in)
TIR on the neck of the slip tube shaft (with a 
boot).
0.25mm(0.010in)
TIR on the ends of the tubing 3 inch from the 
welds.
0.38mm(0.015in)
TIR at the linear center of the tube.
0.38mm(0.015in)
TIR for the full length of tube with 30" or less of 
tubing.
(TIR: Total Indicator Reading)

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• Play in universal joint.

Limit: Less than0.15mm(0.006in)

• Spider pin should be smooth and free from fretting or 

galling.
Visible signs of needle presence is normal, but wear 
should not be felt.

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• Preload of the universal joint.

Preload should be 0 to 49 N (0 to 5.0 kg/0 to 11.0 lb).
Joints should rotate smoothly and freely and should 
exhibit no rough or ratchety movement.

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• Inspect splines of slip joint for wear.

The nylon-coated spline should be free from nicks 
and dings and the underlying steel spline should not 
be visible.
After cleaning the nylon coating spline, the coating 
should exhibit only slight indicator of wear.
Grease volume is approximately 10 grams of grease 
in total.  Grease should be evenly applied to both the 
female and  the male slip splines using a small brush.  
After assembly of the slip joint, the sliding joint should 
be fully worked from the full collapsed to the full 
extended position.

DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM

4C–45

• Aluminum tube type only: Inspect the aluminum 

tubing for surface scratches and dents.  These 
scratches may not exceed 0.2 mm (0.008 in) in depth.

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• Aluminum tube type only: Visually inspect the circle 

welds and fittings for any signs of cracks or signs of 
deterioration.  If there are any cracks that exceed 0.2 
mm (0.008 in) in depth, the assembly must be 
replaced.

• Aluminum tube type only: Check to be sure there are 

no missing balance weights.  If balance weights are 
missing and void has occurred in the aluminum 
tubing greater than 0.2 mm (0.008 in), the assembly 
must be replaced.

Universal Joint Reassembly

1. Pack the four grease cavities of the spider with a 

high quality, extreme pressure N.L.G.I. Grade 2 
grease.  Do not add additional grease to bearing 
cup assembly.

2. Move one end of the spider to cause a trunnion to 

project through the spider hole beyond the outer 
machined face of the yoke lug.  Place a bearing over 
the trunnion diameter and align it to the spider hole.
Using an arbor press, hold the trunnion in alignment 
with the spider hole and place a solid plug on the 
upper bearing.  Press the bearing into the spider 
hole enough to install snap ring.

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3. Install a snap ring.

NOTE:  Be sure the snap rings are properly seated in 
the grooves.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to install the opposite bearing.  

If the joint is stiff, strike the yoke ears with a soft 
hammer to seat the bearing.

5. Align the setting marks and join the yokes.

4C–46

DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM

Slip Joint Reassembly

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Legend

EndOFCallout

1. Apply grease evenly to both the female and male 

splines.

2. Apply a small amount of grease by finger to the 

outer lips of the boot.

3. Slide the boot (smaller diameter side) onto the 

spline yoke shaft being careful not to damage the 
spline coating or boot.

4. Insert the spline yoke shaft spline into the tube 

assembly being careful to maintain proper phasing.  
The spider holes should be in line and as per 
originally marked prior to disassembly.

5. Position boot onto tube and yoke shaft in final 

position.

6. Attach boot clamps and secure using pliers.

7. Be sure clamp is properly seated and secure.

CAUTION:  Use new clamp which is the same parts 
as original. Do not use other clamp to avoid bad 
balancing of shaft or the grease leakage.

(1) Spline Yoke and Universal Joint Assembly
(2) Clamp
(3) Boot

(4) Clamp
(5) Tube and Universal Joint Assembly