Cylinder Block Cradle Removal and Installation
Cylinder Block Cradle
Material
Removal
All vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
3. Remove the air cleaner outlet tube.
4. Remove the starter.
5. Remove the oil pan.
6. Remove the weatherstrip.
7. NOTE: Not all vehicles will have assembly screws.
Remove and discard the screws. Remove the bolts and the fan shroud.
8. Remove the bolt.
9. Install the special tool using the previously removed bolt.
^ Tighten the bolt to 23 Nm (17 ft. lbs.).
10. NOTE: This is not a typical setup. Only the right side of the engine will be raised.
Install the special tools.
AWD vehicles
11. Remove the 4 bolts and the crossmember.
All vehicles
12. Remove the RH engine support insulator nut.
13. Remove the LH engine support insulator through bolt.
14. Remove the 2 bell housing to cylinder block cradle bolts.
15. NOTE: Cylinder block cradle is shown removed for clarity. Note the location of the 2 Torx head bolts at the rear of the cylinder block cradle.
Remove the cylinder block cradle rear bolts.
16. Remove the 20 bolts and 2 nuts along the outside of the cylinder block cradle.
17. NOTE: Note the location of the 2 silver colored bolts that have washer seals. They must be installed in the same position with new washer seals.
Remove the 8 cylinder block cradle inner bolts and the 2 washer seals.
^ Discard the washer seals.
18. Raise the engine.
AWD vehicles
19. WARNING: Secure the axle to the jack with a safety strap. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
Support the front axle with a suitable jack.
20. Disconnect the vent hose from the differential housing vent tube.
21. Remove and discard the axle housing bolts and nuts. Lower the axle.
All vehicles
22. Remove the cylinder block cradle.
Installation
All vehicles
1. CAUTION: Failure to back off the set screws can result in damage to the cylinder block cradle.
Back the set screws off until they are below the cylinder block cradle boss.
2. CAUTION: Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes, power abrasive discs or other abrasive means to clean the sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges which make leak paths. Use a plastic scraping tool to remove all traces of old sealant.
NOTE: Gasket material as well as silicone sealant may be present in the cavities in the main bearing cap. This material must be removed completely prior to assembly.
Clean the gasket mating surfaces, making sure all the sealant is removed from the cavities on the rear main bearing cap. To clean the sealing area, use silicone gasket remover and metal surface prep. Follow the directions on the packaging.
3. NOTE: If not secured within 4 minutes, the sealant must be removed and the sealing area cleaned. To clean the sealing area, use silicone gasket remover and metal surface prep. Follow the directions on the packaging. Failure to follow this procedure can cause future oil leakage.
Apply silicone in the 6 places shown.
4. Position a new gasket and the cylinder block cradle. Install the outer 20 bolts and 2 nuts finger tight.
5. Install the 2 cylinder block cradle rear Torx bolts finger tight.
6. Install the 2 bell housing to cylinder block cradle bolts.
^ Tighten to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
7. Tighten the outer 20 bolts and 2 nuts.
^ Tighten to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
8. Tighten the 2 cylinder block cradle rear Torx bolts.
^ Tighten to 8 Nm (71 inch lbs.).
9. Tighten the 8 inserts.
^ Tighten to 3 Nm (27 inch lbs.).
10. Install the 2 silver colored bolts and new washer seals finger tight.
11. Install the 6 remaining inner bolts finger tight.
12. Tighten the 8 inner bolts in the sequence shown in 2 stages.
^ Stage 1: Tighten to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).
^ Stage 2: Tighten to 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.).
AWD vehicles
13. Raise the axle into position and install new bolts and nuts.
^ Tighten to 66 Nm (49 ft. lbs.).
14. Connect the vent hose to the differential housing vent tube.
All vehicles
15. Lower the engine and remove the special tools.
16. Install the LH engine support insulator through bolt and nut.
^ Tighten to 103 Nm (76 ft. lbs.).
17. Install the RH engine support insulator nut.
^ Tighten to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).
AWD vehicles
18. Position the crossmember and install the 4 bolts.
^ Tighten to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.).
All vehicles
19. Install the pump screen and pickup tube.
20. Install the starter.
21. Remove the special tool.
22. Install the bolt.
^ Tighten to 23 Nm (17 ft. lbs.).
23. Position the upper fan shroud and install the bolts.
^ Tighten to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.).
24. Install the weatherstrip.
25. Install the air cleaner outlet pipe.
26. Connect the battery ground cable.