Front Subframe: Service and Repair

Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Replacement


Removal Procedure





Caution:With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti-rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:
-The steering column

-The intermediate shaft(s)

-The steering gear
After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has become un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil’s centering procedure to re-center SIR Coil.

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

2.Remove the lower steering intermediate shaft bolt (1).

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 exhaust front pipe. Refer to Exhaust Front Pipe Replacement .

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

7.Remove the front compartment insulator, if equipped. Refer to Front Compartment Insulator Replacement Front Compartment Insulator Replacement .

8.Remove the front bumper fascia opening lower cover. Refer to Front Bumper Fascia Opening Lower Cover Replacement .





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

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

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

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

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





12.Remove and DISCARD the stabilizer link nut (1) from the strut.

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

14.Install the engine support fixture. For the 1.4L engine, refer to Engine Support Fixture .

For the 1.8L engine, refer to Engine Support Fixture .





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





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

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





18.Remove the frame front bolts (1).

19.Remove the frame rear bolts (2).

20.Remove and DISCARD the rear frame reinforcement bolts (3).

21.Remove the frame reinforcements (4).

22.Remove the frame (5) from the vehicle.

23.Remove the following components if replacing the frame:

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

-The stabilizer shaft-Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .

-The radiator support brackets.

-The steering gear-Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

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 to22 N �m (16 lb ft) plus 45 degrees.

-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 frame (5) into the vehicle.

3.Install the frame reinforcements (4).

4.Install the frame rear bolts (2) and tighten to160 N �m (118 lb ft).

5.Install NEW frame reinforcement bolts (3) and tighten to60 N �m (44 lb ft) plus 45 degrees.

6.Install the frame front bolts (1) and tighten to160 N �m (118 lb ft).

7.Remove the support for the power steering gear.





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

9.Tighten wiring harness retainer (1) to steering gear.

10.Connect 2 wiring harness plugs (3).

11.Install the front bumper energy absorber bracket bolt.





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

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

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





15.Install the NEW steering linkage tie rod nuts and tighten to35 N �m (26 lb ft).

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





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

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

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

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





19.Install the NEW lower steering intermediate shaft (1) bolt and tighten to25 N �m (18 lb ft) plus 180 degrees.

20.Remove the support of the radiator and condenser.

21.Lower the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

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

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

24.Install the exhaust front pipe. Refer to Exhaust Front Pipe Replacement .

25.Install the front compartment insulator, if equipped. Refer to Front Compartment Insulator Replacement Front Compartment Insulator Replacement .

26.Install the front bumper fascia opening lower cover. Refer to Front Bumper Fascia Opening Lower Cover Replacement .

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