Body and Frame: Service and Repair

Damaged Cage Nut Service

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Install a jackstand under the frame near the rear cage nut that you are replacing.
4. If you are replacing the FRONT cage nut, remove the front impact bar to gain access. Refer to Front Bumper Impact Bar Replacement (Service and Repair) in Bumpers.
If you are replacing the REAR cage nut, perform the following steps to gain access.




5. Using a small flat-bladed tool, remove the access panel of the right rear cage nut.




6. In order to remove the access panel of the left rear cage nut, remove the fuel line bracket bolt and position the fuel lines slightly forward.




7. Using a small flat-bladed tool, remove the access panel of the left rear cage nut.





Caution: Approved safety glasses and gloves should be worn when performing this procedure to reduce the chance of personal injury.

8. Remove the rear frame-to-body bolts.
9. In order to break the spot welds free on the rear cage nut retainer, insert an air-hammer and a 152 mm (6 in) punch or equivalent through the rear frame insulator and position the air-hammer against the rear cage nut.
10. Hold the air-hammer firmly and apply pressure in order to free the rear cage nut.

Caution: The edges of the rear cage nut retainer are sharp. In order to avoid personal injury, use care when removing the rear cage nut from the access opening.

11. Reach into the access opening and carefully raise the rear cage nut retainer up.
12. Remove the rear cage nut.



Installation Procedure


Caution: The edges of the rear cage nut retainer are sharp.In order to avoid personal injury,use care not to cut your fingers when installing the rear cage nut into the access opening.

1. Install the rear cage nut into the access opening.
2. Press the retainer over the rear cage nut in order to hold the nut in place.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

3. Loosely install the rear frame bolts through the frame and into the rear cage nut. Hold the rear cage nut down with your finger in order to start the rear frame bolt.

Tighten the rear frame bolts to 165 N.m (122 lb ft).





4. Install the access panel of the right rear cage nut.




5. Install the access panel of the left rear cage nut.




6. If necessary, install the fuel line bracket bolt.

Tighten the fuel line bracket bolt to 20 N.m (15 lb ft).

7. Remove the jackstand.
8. Install the tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
9. Lower the vehicle.