Part 1

Engine

Special Tool(s):

Removal (Steps 1-33)

WARNING: Do not smoke or carry lighted tobacco or open flame of any type when working on or near any fuel-related components. Highly flammable mixtures are always present and may be ignited. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.
2. Release the fuel system pressure. For additional information, refer to Fuel Delivery and Air Induction.
3. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Battery.
4. Recover the air conditioning system. For additional information, refer to Heating and Air Conditioning.
5. Place the steering wheel in the straight ahead position and the ignition key in the OFF position.

6. Remove the 2 nuts and the steering joint cover.

7. CAUTION: Do not allow the intermediate shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the gear or damage to the clockspring can occur. If there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to Air Bag Systems.

NOTE: Index the steering column shaft position to the steering gear for reference during installation.

Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
8. Drain the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System.

9. If equipped, remove the 7 screws and the underbody cover.
10. Remove the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to Catalytic Converter.

11. CAUTION: The steering gear-to-dash seal must be removed or it will be damaged when lowering the subframe.

Release the 4 clips and slide the steering gear-to-dash seal off of the steering gear and into the passenger compartment.

12. Remove the power steering pressure (PSP) hose bracket bolt.

13. Remove and discard the PSP hose banjo bolt and the 2 seals from the steering gear.

14. Remove the 2 bolts and the heat shield.

15. Remove the 2 bolts and the engine roll restrictor.

16. Remove the 4 screws and position the RH fender splash shield aside.

17. Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) and the RH splash shield.

18. Remove the 4 screws and position the LH fender splash shield aside.

19. Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) and the LH splash shield.

20. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Remove the cotter pins and nuts from the tie-rod ends.

21. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckles.

22. Disconnect the power steering cooler tube.

23. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Remove the nuts and separate the sway bar links from the struts.

24. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Remove the lower ball joint nuts.

25. CAUTION: When the lower ball joint is separated from the wheel knuckle, the lower arm may strike the outer constant velocity (CV) joint boot with enough force to damage the boot clamp. This will result in a loss of grease from the outer CV joint. Place a block of wood, or similar item, between the lower arm and the outer CV joint to prevent the lower arm from striking the outer CV joint.

NOTE: Once pressure is applied to the ball joint with the special tool, it may be necessary to tap the wheel knuckle at the ball joint area to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Using the special tools, separate the lower ball joints from the lower control arms.

26. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Remove the through bolts from the lower control arms.

27. Position the special tool under the subframe assembly.

28. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Remove the subframe bracket-to-body bolts.

29. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Remove the subframe nuts and the subframe brackets.

30. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Remove the front subframe nuts.
31. Lower the subframe assembly from the vehicle.

32. Disconnect the transaxle cooler hoses.

33. Remove the drain plug and drain the engine oil.
^ Install the drain plug and tighten to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).