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Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Replacement (with CH-49289)






Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Replacement (with CH-49289)

Special Tools

-CH-904 Base Frame

-CH-49289 Centering Frame

For equivalent regional tools refer to Special Tools

Removal Procedure

1.Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting and Jacking Caution .

2.Remove the front wheel and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

3.Remove both front compartment splash shields. Refer to Front Compartment Splash Shield Replacement Service and Repair .

4.Remove the front under cover.

5.Remove both of the front wheel house linings.

6.Remove the front bumper fascia. Refer to Front Bumper Fascia Replacement Front Bumper Fascia Replacement .

7.Remove the lower wind guard.





8.Secure the cooling module to the left and right of the upper body structure with a wire.

9.Separate both of the control arm ball joints from the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

10.Remove both of the upper stabilizer shaft link nuts and separate the left and right stabilizer shaft link from the strut. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .

11.Remove the exhaust pipe. Refer to Exhaust Front Pipe Replacement .





12.Remove the torque strut to transmission mounting bracket bolt and nut (1) and the torque strut to frame bolt (2).

13.Remove the torque strut (3) from the frame.





14.Remove the power steering pipe/hose retaining nuts (1) and separate the pipe from the frame. Refer to Power Steering Gear Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement .





15.Remove the steering gear assembly to the frame retaining bolts (1) and separate the steering gear assembly from the frame. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .





Note:The SPX installation manual is supplied with the special tool and is also available online from SPX directly. Go to www.spxtools-shop.com.

16.Assemble the
CH-49289 centering frame (1) according to the details provided in the SPX installation manual.

17.Support the
CH-904 base frame on a jack.

18.Support the
CH-49289 centering frame on the
CH-904 base frame.





Note:The SPX installation manual is supplied with the special tool and is also available online from SPX directly.

19.Install the
CH-49289 centering frame(1) according to the details provided in the SPX installation manual.





20.Remove the frame to body bolts (1).

21.Slowly lower the jack stand and remove the frame from the vehicle.

22.Remove the following components if replacing the frame:

22.1Remove the stabilizer shaft from the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .

22.2Remove the control arms from the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

22.3Remove the radiator brackets from the frame.

22.4Remove the front lower impact bar.

Installation Procedure

1.Install the following components to the frame if removed:

1.1Install the front lower impact bar to the frame.

1.2Install the radiator brackets to the frame.

1.3Install the control arms to the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

1.4Install the stabilizer shaft to the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .





2.With the frame on the
CH-49289 centering frame (1) and hydraulic jack stand, raise the frame to the vehicle.

Caution:Refer to Fastener Caution .





3.Install and tighten the frame to body retaining bolts (1) to170 N �m (125 lb ft).

4.Lower the jack stand and remove the
CH-49289 centering frame.

5.Install the steering gear assembly to the frame retaining bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

6.Install the power steering pipe to the frame and tighten the pipe retaining nuts. Refer to Power Steering Gear Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement .





7.Install the torque strut (3) from the frame.

8.Install the torque strut to the frame bolt (2) and tighten to100 N �m (74 lb ft).

9.Install the torque strut to the transmission mounting bracket bolt and nut (1) and tighten to80 N �m (59 lb ft).

10.Install the exhaust pipe. Refer to Exhaust Front Pipe Replacement .

11.Connect both of the stabilizer shaft links to the struts and tighten the upper stabilizer shaft link nuts. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .

12.Install both of the control arm ball joints to the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

13.Remove the wires which secure the cooling module to the upper body structure.

14.Install the lower wind guard.

15.Install the front bumper fascia. Refer to Front Bumper Fascia Replacement Front Bumper Fascia Replacement .

16.Install both of the front wheel house linings.

17.Install the front under cover.

18.Install both of the front compartment splash shields. Refer to Front Compartment Splash Shield Replacement Service and Repair .

19.Install the front wheel and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

20.Lower the vehicle.

21.Road test the vehicle in order to test for the following conditions:

-Steering leads or pulls-Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement .

-Abnormal powertrain noise or vibration at idle-Inspect the engine and transmission mounts for proper alignment and torque.