Rear Wheel Bearing Adjustment; Handbrake Adjustment; Hinge And Lock Lubrication; Exhaust System Check - Opel Kadett Owner's Manual

Every 9000 miles
1•14
18 Rear wheel bearing
adjustment
Refer to Chapter 10, Section 9.

19 Handbrake adjustment

Rear drum brake models
1 Normal adjustment of the handbrake takes
place automatically due to the self-adjusting
mechanism of the rear
compensate for cable stretch, or after a new
cable has been fitted or the adjustment has
otherwise been disturbed, proceed as follows.
2 Chock the front wheels, release the
handbrake and raise and support the rear of
the vehicle so that the rear wheels are clear of
the ground.
3 Tighten the nut on the handbrake cable
yoke until the rear wheels start to become stiff
to turn, then back it off until they are free
again (see illustration).
4 Check that the handbrake starts to take
effect at the second notch of lever movement,
and is fully applied by the fourth or fifth notch.
5 A further check may be made by removing
the plug in the brake backplate (see
illustration). When adjustment is correct, the
pin on the handbrake operating lever is clear
19.5 Check the handbrake lever pin
(arrowed) is correctly positioned as
described in text
19.11a On models with rear disc brakes
the handbrake shoe adjuster wheel is
accessible through the hole in the disc . . .
19.3 Handbrake cable adjusting nut
brakes. To
(arrowed) on yoke - rear drum brake
of the shoe web by approximately 3 mm with
the handbrake released.
6 When adjustment is correct, apply a smear
of grease to the threads of the cable end
fitting to prevent corrosion. Lower the vehicle,
apply the handbrake and remove the wheel
chocks.
Rear disc brake models
7 Before checking handbrake adjustment,
drive for approximately 300 metres at low
speed with the handbrake lightly applied. This
will clean off any rust or glaze from the drums
and shoes.
8 Chock the front wheels and engage a gear.
Slacken the rear wheel bolts. Raise and
support the rear of the vehicle and remove the
rear wheels.
9 Release the handbrake, then reapply it by
two notches.
10 Slacken off the adjuster nut on the
handbrake cable yoke (located to the left of
the silencer) until it is at the end of its travel. If
a silencer heat shield is fitted, access will be
improved by removing it.
11 Turn a brake disc to bring the adjuster
hole (the large unthreaded hole) into line with
the adjuster at the bottom of the brake shoes.
Using a screwdriver through the hole, turn the
adjuster wheel until the shoes are against the
disc, then back it off again until the disc is just
free to turn without the shoes dragging (see
illustrations).
19.11b . . . and can be adjusted using a
suitable screwdriver
models
12 Repeat the operation on the other brake.
13 Tighten the cable adjuster nut until the
shoes start to drag again. This should happen
on both sides.
14 Release and fully reapply the handbrake a
couple of times. Check that the discs turn
freely when the control is fully released, and
that the brake is fully applied at the sixth
notch.
15 Refit the exhaust heat shield if it was
removed. Refit the wheels, lower the vehicle
and tighten the wheel bolts.
20 Driveshaft CV joint and gaiter
check
Refer to Chapter 8, Section 5.

21 Hinge and lock lubrication

Lubricate the hinges of the bonnet, doors
and tailgate with a light general-purpose oil.
Similarly, lubricate all latches, locks and lock
strikers. At the same time, check the security
and operation of all the locks, adjusting them
if necessary (see Chapter 11).
Lightly lubricate the bonnet release
mechanism and cable with a suitable grease.

22 Exhaust system check

1 With the engine cold (at least an hour after
the vehicle has been driven), check the
complete exhaust system from the engine to
the end of the tailpipe. The exhaust system is
most easily checked with the vehicle raised on
a hoist, or suitably supported on axle stands
(see "Jacking and Vehicle Support"). so that
the exhaust components are readily visible
and accessible.
2 Check the exhaust pipes and connections
for evidence of leaks, severe corrosion and
damage. Make sure that all brackets and
mountings are in good condition, and that all
relevant nuts and bolts are tight. Leakage at
any of the joints or in other parts of the system
will usually show up as a black sooty stain in
the vicinity of the leak. Reputable exhaust
repair systems can be used for effective
repairs to exhaust pipes and silencer boxes,
including ends and bends. Check for an MOT-
approved permanent exhaust repair.
3 Rattles and other noises can often be
traced to the exhaust system, especially the
brackets and mountings. Try to move the
pipes and silencers. If the components are
able to come into contact with the body or
suspension parts, secure the system with new
mountings. Otherwise separate the joints (if
possible) and twist the pipes as necessary to
provide additional clearance.