Removing
The subframe is removed completely with the lower control arms and stabilizer bar as a unit.
Before removing the subframe, the engine must be secured to the left side of the lifting bracket so that the engine, when mounted on the vehicle raised from the ground, leaves sufficient clearance to remove the subframe.
Engage the handbrake, then raise the front of the vehicle and secure it to stands under the bridge.
On models with twin cam engines, remove the lower mudguard as directed in chapter 11.
Remove the front section of the exhaust system (see chapter 4). On models with twin cam engines, where required, remove the oil cooler hose bracket bolt on the right side of the subframe.
Working from one side of the vehicle, remove the castle nut split pin securing the suspension strut ball joint to the lower control arm, and loosen the nut itself.
Using a separation tool, separate the ball joint of the suspension strut and the lower control arm.
Repeat the operations in the previous two paragraphs with the other lower arm.
Check that the engine is well fixed, then unscrew and remove the two nuts and washers securing the engine/transmission rear mount to the subframe.
Place a mobile jack under the subframe and place wooden blocks to prevent the subframe from tipping over.
Unscrew and remove the six bolts securing the subframe to the bottom of the car body (be aware that some early production models used a short front subframe secured with four bolts instead of six). Note that the rear bolts also attach the lower control arms to the subframe. The bolts are very tight and require a lot of force to loosen them (pic. 10.13.).
![](https://www.opelbook.ru/img/astra/0402.jpg)
Lower the jack supporting the subframe and remove the assembly from under the front of the car.
Installation
Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following.
If the stabilizer bar and/or lower arms are removed from the subframe, install them.
Install new subframe mounting bolts and torque to specification. The rear subframe and lower arm mounting bolts must be tightened in three stages.
Insert new cotter pins into the lower control arm strut ball nuts.
Install the front section of the exhaust system as directed in chapter 4, and where required on twin cam models, install the oil cooler line bracket to the subframe and then the engine lower mudguard.
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