Front Suspension

REMOVAL

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Maintenance




2. On each side of the vehicle, remove the wheel mounting nuts (3), then the front tire and wheel assembly (1).





3. On each side of the vehicle, remove the nut (1) attaching the lower ball joint to the lower control arm (2).





4. On each side of the vehicle, release the lower ball joint (3) from the lower control arm (1) using Remover (2), Special Tool 9360. Do not lift the knuckle out of the lower control arm at this time.

5. If equipped, remove the engine belly pan.
6. Remove the fore/aft crossmember. Crossmember - Removal
7. Remove the rear engine mount. Engine Mount Insulator - Removal




8. Remove the screws (1) securing the power steering hose routing clamps (2) to the rear of the crossmember.





9. Remove the screws and push-pins securing the heat shield (1) over the right side of the steering gear (2).





10. Remove the two bolts (1) securing the steering gear (2) to the crossmember.
11. Support the steering gear using a bungee cord or other to keep the steering gear from lowering when the crossmember is lowered.





12. Remove the screws (1) securing the stabilizer bushing retainers (3) to the crossmember.

NOTE: Before lowering the front suspension crossmember, the location of the crossmember must be marked on the body of the vehicle. Do this so the crossmember can be relocated, upon reinstallation, against the body of vehicle in the same location as before removal. If the front suspension crossmember is not reinstalled in exactly the same location as before removal, the preset front wheel alignment settings (caster and camber) may be lost.





13. Using a crayon or marker (2) that will not break the paint surface, mark the location of the front crossmember (1) on the body near each mounting bolt. Do not use any type of sharp instrument that will damage the underbody of the vehicle.





14. Support the crossmember (9) with a transmission jack. Secure the crossmember to the jack.
15. Remove the four mounting bolts (6) securing the front crossmember (9) to the body.
16. Remove the mounting screws (8) securing the front crossmember reinforcement brackets (7) (one each side of vehicle) to the body (1). Remove the brackets.
17. Slowly lower the crossmember and control arms to a comfortable working height using the jack.





18. To remove each lower control arm:
a. Remove the front bolt (1) attaching the lower control arm (3) to the front suspension crossmember.
b. Remove the nut on the rear bolt (2) attaching the lower control arm (3) to the front suspension crossmember. Remove the bolt.
c. Remove the lower control arm (3) from the crossmember.