Subframe: Service and Repair

SUBFRAME

Special Tool(s):

Special Tools(s)

Removal

All Vehicles







1. Secure the radiator.
2. Loosen the wheel nuts.
3. Raise and support the vehicle.
4. Remove both front wheels.







5. CAUTION: Do not damage the boot and the ABS-sensor ring

Disconnect the lower arm ball joints and the stabilizer bar link rods (use the special tool 211-001) (right-hand side shown).







6. Remove the LH engine Support insulator.
1. Remove the through bolt.
2. Remove the nuts.
3. Remove the LH support insulator.

Vehicles with air conditioning







7. Remove the suction accumulator bracket bolts.

All Vehicles







8. Remove the radiator splash shield.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the push pins.
3. Remove the radiator splash shield.







9. Remove the splash shields (right-hand side shown).

Vehicles with 2.0L engine







10. Disconnect the exhaust flexible pipe and detach hanger insulator.
- Remove the gaskets.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine







11. Disconnect the exhaust Y-pipe and the rear catalytic converter.
- Remove the gaskets.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine







12. Disconnect the front exhaust pipe and the rear catalytic converter and remove them.
- Remove the gaskets.

Vehicles with manual transaxle







13. Disconnect the shifter cables and bracket.
1. Disconnect the shifter cables from the gear shift lever.
2. Remove the nuts.
3. Position the shifter bracket to one side.

All Vehicles







14. Remove the power steering hose bracket bolt.







15. Remove the power steering hose bracket nut.







16. Remove the power steering hose bracket bolt.

Vehicles with automatic transaxle







17. Remove the transaxle cooler line brackets and bolt.
- Reposition air conditioner canister, if necessary.

Vehicles with automatic transmission







18. NOTE: Secure the steering gear using mechanics wire before removing the subframe.

Remove the steering gear and the RH engine support insulator.
1. Using the special tool, remove the steering gear from the subframe.
2. Remove the support insulator from the bracket.
3. Remove the support insulator from the subframe.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine







19. Remove the steering gear heat shield.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine







20. Use the special tool 211-202. Remove the steering gear (two bolts) and tie it up left-hand side shown).

Vehicles with automatic transmission







21. Disconnect the right-hand engine support insulator.

All Vehicles







22. WARNING: Support the subframe using Rotunda Powertrain Lift. Place a wooden block approximately 40 inches in length secured to lift under subframe. Failure to follow this procedure may result in personal injury.

Remove the subframe bolts and subframe.

23. Lower the vehicle.

Installation

All Vehicles







1. Install the subframe.
1. Install the special tool.
- Align the subframe with the locating holes in the body.

2. Install the subframe bolts working diagonally.

2. Remove the mechanics wire securing the steering gear.

Vehicles with manual transmission







3. NOTE: Verify that the right-sight support insulator is centered in the bracket and in perfect front to rear alignment before tightening the through bolt. If necessary, loosen the support insulator to subframe mounting bolts and reposition the support insulator.

Install the steering gear and the right-hand engine support insulator.
1. To the subframe.
2. To the bracket.
3. Using the special tool, install the steeling gear bolts.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine







4. Use the special tool 211-202. Install the steering gear (two bolts) (left-hand side shown).

Vehicles with automatic transmission







5. Install the right-hand engine support insulator.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine







6. Install the steering gear heat shield.

All Vehicles







7. NOTE: Verify that the left-hand support insulator is centered in the transaxle bracket and in perfect front to rear alignment before tightening the through bolt.

Install the LR engine support insulator.
1. Position the front support insulator.
2. Install the nuts.
3. Install the through bolt.

Vehicles with automatic transaxle

8. NOTE: Powertrain neutralizing process should be applied if insulators cannot be centralized within given slots.

Powertrain neutralizing process.







9. Install the transaxle cooler line brackets and bolt.

All Vehicles







10. Install the power steering hose bracket bolt.







11. Attach the power steering hose to the subframe.







12. Install the power steering hose bracket bolt.


Vehicles with manual transaxle







13. Attach the shifter cables and bracket.
1. Position the shifter cable bracket.
2. Install the nuts.
3. Attach the shifter cables.

Vehicles with 2.0L engine







14. Connect the exhaust flexible pipe.
- Install the new gasket.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine







15. CAUTION: Don't use jointing compound in front of catalytic converters.

Connect the front exhaust pipe and the rear catalytic converter.
- Install the new gasket.

Vehicles with 2.5L engine







16. Connect the front exhaust pipe and the rear catalytic converter.
- Install the new gasket.

All Vehicles







17. Install the radiator splash shield.
1. Position the radiator splash shield.
2. Install the bolts.
3. Install the push pins.


Vehicles with air conditioning







18. Install the suction accumulator bolts to the subframe.

All Vehicles







19. Install the splash shields (right-hand side shown).







20. CAUTION: Do not damage the boot and the ABS-sensor ring

Connect the lower arm ball joints and the stabilizer bar link rods.

21. Install the front wheels.
22. Lower the vehicle.







23. Remove the radiator supports.







24. Tighten the front wheels (right-hand side shown).