Front Subframe: Service and Repair

Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Replacement


Removal Procedure

1.Support the radiator and condenser from above using the condenser tabs on each side.

2.Remove the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .

3.Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

4.Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

5.Remove the catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement .

6.Remove the wheelhouse liners. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement Service and Repair .

7.Remove the front compartment splash shields. Refer to Front Compartment Splash Shield Replacement Front Compartment Splash Shield Replacement .





8.Remove the front bumper fascia opening lower cover retainers (1).





9.Remove the wheel speed sensor wiring harness (2) from the frame on both sides.

10.Remove the wiring harness retainers (3) from the frame and the lower control arm.

11.Remove the radiator wiring harness (1) from the frame.

12.Remove the wiring harness retainers (4) from the frame.

13.Remove the lower ball joints from the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .





14.Remove and DISCARD the stabilizer shaft link nut (1) and remove the stabilizer shaft link from each strut.

15.Remove the outer tie rod ends and the tie rod nuts from the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .

16.Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture .





17.Remove the transmission front (1) and rear (2) mount bolts.





18.Carefully disconnect 2 wiring harness plugs (3) from the steering gear with a suitable tool. Refer to FEP Connectors .

19.Using a suitable engine support table or equivalent, lower the vehicle until the drivetrain and front suspension frame contacts the engine support table.





20.Remove the drivetrain and front suspension frame front bolts (1).

21.Remove the drivetrain and front suspension frame rear bolts (2).

22.Remove and DISCARD the front suspension support bolts (3).

23.Remove the front suspension supports (4).

24.Remove the drivetrain and front suspension frame (5) from the vehicle.

25.Remove the following components if replacing the frame:

-The steering gear - Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

-The lower control arms - Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

-The stabilizer shaft - Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .

-The radiator support brackets.

Installation Procedure

Caution:Refer to Fastener Caution .

Caution:Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Caution .

1.Install the following components on the drivetrain and front suspension frame if removed:

-The radiator support brackets and tighten to 22 N �m (16 lb ft).

-The stabilizer shaft - Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .

-The lower control arms - Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

-The steering gear - Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .





2.Install the drivetrain and front suspension frame (5) into the vehicle.

3.Install the front suspension supports (4).

4.Install the drivetrain and front suspension frame front and rear bolts (1, 2) and tighten to160 N �m (118 lb ft).

5.Install NEW front suspension support bolts (3) and tighten a first pass to60 N �m (44 lb ft).

Warning:Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning .

6.Tighten the front suspension support bolts (3) a final pass to an additional30 to 45 degrees.





7.Install and tighten the 2 wiring harness bracket bolts (4) to9 N �m (80 lb in).

8.Tighten the wiring harness retainer (1) to steering gear.

9.Connect the 2 wiring harness plugs (3).





10.Install the transmission front mount bolt (1) and tighten to100 N �m (74 lb ft).

11.Install the transmission rear mount bolt (2) and tighten to100 N �m (74 lb ft).

12.Install the outer tie rod ends and the tie rod nuts to the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .





13.Install the stabilizer shaft links and tighten the NEW stabilizer shaft link nuts (1) to65 N �m (48 lb ft) on each strut.

14.Install the lower ball joints to the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .





15.Install the wheel speed sensor wiring harness (2) to the frame on both sides.

16.Install the wiring harness retainers (3) to the frame and the lower control arm.

17.Install the radiator wiring harness (1) to the frame.

18.Install the wiring harness retainers (4) to the frame.

19.Install the wheelhouse liners. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement Service and Repair .

20.Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

21.Install the catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement .





22.Install the front bumper fascia opening lower cover retainers (1).

23.Install the front compartment splash shields. Refer to Front Compartment Splash Shield Replacement Front Compartment Splash Shield Replacement .

24.Lower the vehicle.

25.Remove the support of the radiator and condenser.

26.Install the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .

27.Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to Front Camber Adjustment .