Front Subframe: Service and Repair
Frame Replacement
Special Tools
J 39580 Power Pack Stand Engine and Transaxle Assembly Support Remover/Installer
Removal Procedure
1.Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture for the 3.8L engine, Engine Support Fixture for the 3.6L engine, Engine Support Fixture for the 5.3L engine.
2.Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
3.Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
4.Remove and discard the 2 plastic braces from the front of the radiator lower air deflector. The plastic braces are directly below the front cradle bolts.
5.Remove the positive battery cable and the retainers from the frame and position aside. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement .
6.Disconnect any power steering hoses from the frame.
7.Secure the power steering return hose.
8.Remove the stabilizer shaft links and rotate the stabilizer shaft upward to gain access to the mounting bolts in the power steering gear. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
9.Remove the mounting bolts from the power steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
1.Secure the power steering gear.
2.Remove the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to Engine Front Mount Replacement for the 3.8L engine, Engine Mount Replacement - Right Side for the 3.6L engine, Engine Mount Replacement - Left Side and Engine Mount Replacement - Right Side for the 5.3L engine.
3.Remove the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side .
1.If applicable, disconnect the front wheel speed sensor harness connectors.
2.If applicable, disconnect the wheel speed sensor harness from the frame and lower control arms.
3.If applicable, remove the retainers at the front wheel speed harness from the frame and from the lower control arms.
4.Separate both of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
5.Remove both front drivetrain reinforcements using the following procedure.
17.1Remove the drivetrain reinforcement to support brace bolts.
17.2Remove the drivetrain reinforcement to front cradle mounting stud nut.
17.3Remove the drivetrain reinforcement from the vehicle.
1.Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts the J 39580 .
1.Remove the bolts which secure the front frame to the body.
1.Remove the bolts which secure the rear frame to the body.
2.Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the body.
3.If you are replacing the frame, remove the following components:
-Both of the lower control arms - Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
-The stabilizer shaft - Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
-The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers - Refer to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Front Insulator Replacement Service and Repair or to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Rear Insulator Replacement Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Rear Insulator Replacement .
Installation Procedure
1.If you are replacing the frame, install the following components:
-Both of the lower control arms - Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
-The stabilizer shaft - Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
-The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers - Refer to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Front Insulator Replacement Service and Repair or to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Rear Insulator Replacement Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Rear Insulator Replacement .
2.Position the engine support table with the frame under the vehicle.
3.Lower the vehicle to the frame.
1.Loosely install the bolts to secure the rear frame to the body.
1.Loosely install the bolts to secure the front frame to the body.
2.Align the frame to the body by inserting two 19 X 203 mm (0.74 X 8 in) pins in the alignment holes on the right side of the frame.
Notice:Refer to Fastener Notice .
3.Install the front and rear frame bolts.
Tighten
-Tighten the front bolts to 145 N �m (107 lb ft).
-Tighten the rear bolts to 160 N �m (118 lb ft).
4.Install the drivetrain reinforcements using the following procedure:
8.1Position the drivetrain reinforcements to the font cradle mount stud to the support brace.
8.2Loosely install the drivetrain reinforcement to support brace bolts.
8.3Install the drivetrain reinforcement to cradle mount nut.
Tighten
-Tighten the drivetrain reinforcement brace nut to 50 N �m (37 lb ft).
-Tighten the drivetrain reinforcement brace bolts to 25 N �m (18 lb ft).
5.Connect both the lower ball joints to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement .
6.Install the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to Engine Front Mount Replacement for the 3.8L engine, Engine Mount Replacement - Right Side for the 3.6L engine, Engine Mount Replacement - Left Side and Engine Mount Replacement - Right Side for the 5.3L engine.
7.Install the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side .
8.Install the steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
9.Install the stabilizer shaft links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
1.If applicable, connect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness to the frame and lower control arm.
2.If applicable, connect the front wheel speed sensor connectors (1).
3.If applicable, install the front wheel speed harness retainers (2) to the frame and to the lower control arm.
4.Install the positive battery cable and retainers to the frame. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement .
5.Connect any power steering hoses to the frame.
6.Connect the fog lamp harness connectors.
7.Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
8.Lower the vehicle.
9.Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture for the 3.8L engine, Engine Support Fixture for the 3.6L engine, Engine Support Fixture for the 5.3L engine.
10.Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement .