Cross-Member: Service and Repair
^ Tool Required:
- J 38892 Ball Joint Separator
- Or Equivalent
REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
1. Raise vehicle.
2. If suspension contact hoist is used:
^ Place jack stands under uni-body frame near crossmember.
^ Lower vehicle slightly so weight of vehicle rests on the under uni-body frame and not on the control arms or crossmember.
3. Tire and wheel assembly.
4. Right and Left wiring baronesses from crossmember.
5. Ball joint from knuckle using J 38892.
NOTICE: Use only the recommended tool for separating the ball joint from knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tool may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.
6. Engine strut to crossmember.
7. Crossmember support braces.
8. Front exhaust pipe, (support catalytic converter).
9. Power steering gear bolts, (support power steering gear).
10. Brake lines from retainers on crossmember.
11. Splash shield from crossmember.
12. Stabilizer bar from crossmember.
13. Crossmember.
14. Control arms from crossmember.
INSTALL OR CONNECT
1. Control arms to crossmember and snug bolts only.
2. Crossmember and snug all bolts lightly.
3. Tighten bolts in sequence shown below.
^ Tighten:
- Crossmember Support Left Rear Outboard Bolt 110 Nm (71 ft. lbs.) plus 90° rotation.
- Crossmember Support Right Rear Outboard Bolt 110 Nm (71 ft. lbs.) plus 90° rotation.
- Crossmember Support Upper Front Bolts 110 Nm (71 ft. lbs.) plus 90° rotation.
- Crossmember Support Rear Inboard Bolts 110 Nm (71 ft. lbs.) plus 90° rotation.
4. Nut attaching ball joint to steering knuckle. Tighten to specifications.
^ Tighten ball joint to steering knuckle nut to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.) minimum, 65 Nm (50 ft. lbs.) maximum.
Important: Do not loosen nut any time during installation.
5. Power steering gear bolts, hand start bolts and nuts. Tighten left side bolt and nuts to specification first, then tighten right side bolt and nut to specification.
6. Front exhaust pipe.
7. Crossmember support braces.
^ Tighten crossmember braces to core support bolts 72 Nm (53 ft. lbs.).
8. Engine strut to crossmember.
9. Stabilizer bar to crossmember.
^ Tighten stabilizer shaft to support assembly bolts to 66 Nm (49 ft. lbs.).
10. Splash shield to crossmember.
11. Brake lines to retainers to crossmember.
12. Right and Left wiring harenesses to crossmember.
13. Slightly raise vehicle.
14. Remove jack stands from under crossmember.
15. Tire and wheel assembly.
16. With vehicle at curb height, tighten control arm attaching bolts to specifications.
^ Tighten:
- Control Arm to Crossmember Bolts (Front Bushing) 120 Nm (89 ft. lbs.) plus 180° rotation
- Control Arm to Crossmember Bolts (Rear Vertical Bushing) 170 Nm (125 ft. lbs.)
17. Check front wheel alignment.