Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement
Removal Procedure1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the front fender liners. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement in Body and Frame.
4. Remove the engine strut from the lower engine mount and frame. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement in Engine.
5. Remove the front exhaust pipe. Refer to Intermediate Pipe Replacement in Exhaust Systems.
6. Disconnect the antilock brake system (ABS) harness from the lower control arms. Refer to Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement-Front in Brakes and Traction Control.
7. Remove the lower pinch bolt from the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column-Standard.
8. Remove the ball joints from the steering knuckles. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
9. Remove the tie rods from the steering knuckles. Refer to Tie Rod End Replacement-Outer.
10. On vehicles with a brake pipe running along the support frame, remove the brake pipe from the retainers.
11. Remove the power steering hoses from the power steering gear. Refer to the following procedures:
- Power Steering Pressure Hose Replacement or Power Steering Pressure Hose Replacement (Pipe)
- Power Steering Return Hose Replacement or Power Steering Return Hose Replacement (2.4L)
12. Remove the front suspension support brace. Refer to Front Suspension Support Brace Replacement.
13. Lower the vehicle until the front suspension crossmember rests on jack stands.
14. Remove the front suspension crossmember mounting bolts.
15. Raise the vehicle off of the front suspension crossmember.
16. Remove the following components if replacing the front suspension crossmember:
- The lower control arms
Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
- The power steering gear
Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the following components on the front suspension crossmember, if removed
- The lower control arms
Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
- The power steering gear
Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement.
2. Lower the vehicle on to the front crossmember support.
Notice Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
3. Install the front suspension crossmember mounting bolts.
3.1. Tighten the left rear outboard bolt to 110 Nm (71 ft. lbs.).
3.2. Tighten the right rear outboard bolt to 110 Nm (71 ft. lbs.).
3.3. Tighten the front upper bolt to 110 Nm (71 ft. lbs.).
3.4. Tighten the rear inboard bolts to 110 Nm (71 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the front suspension support brace Rater to Front Suspension Support Brace Replacement.
5. Install the power steering hoses to the power steering gear. Refer to the following procedures
- Power Steering Pressure Hose Replacement or Power Steering Pressure Hose Replacement (Pipe)
- Power Steering Return Hose Replacement or Power Steering Return Hose Replacement (2.4L)
6. On vehicles with the brake pipe running along the support frame, install the brake pipe into the retainers.
7. Install the tie rods to the steering knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod End Replacement-Outer.
8. Install the ball joints to the steering knuckles Refer to Lower Ball Joint Replacement.
9. Install the lower pinch bolt to the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column-Standard
10. Connect the ABS harness to the lower control arms. Refer to Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement-Front in Brakes and Traction Control.
11. Install the front exhaust pipe. Refer to Pipe Replacement Replacement in Exhaust Systems.
12. Install the engine strut to the lower engine mount and frame. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement in Engine.
13. Install the front fender liners. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement in Body and Frame.
14. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
15. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Bleeding the Power Steering System.