Front Subframe: Service and Repair

Frame Replacement

Tools Required

J 39580 Universal Engine Support Table


Removal Procedure

1. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
3. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
4. Remove and discard the two plastic braces from the front of the radiator lower air deflector. The plastic braces are directly below the front cradle bolts.
5. Remove the positive battery cable and the retainers from the frame and position aside. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement (RPOs L26/L32) Battery Positive Cable Replacement (RPO LS4).
6. Disconnect the power steering return hose from the frame. Refer to Power Steering Return Hose Replacement.
7. Secure the power steering return hose.
8. Remove the stabilizer shaft links and rotate the stabilizer shaft upward to gain access to the mounting bolts in the power steering gear. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
9. Remove the mounting bolts from the power steering gear. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement.




10. Secure the power steering gear.
11. Remove the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement.
12. Remove the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left.




13. If applicable, disconnect the front wheel speed sensor harness connectors.
14. If applicable, disconnect the wheel speed sensor harness from the frame and lower control arms.
15. If applicable, remove the retainers at the front wheel speed harness from the frame and from the lower control arms.
16. Separate both of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
17. Remove both front drivetrain reinforcements using the following procedure.

1. Remove the drivetrain reinforcement to support brace bolts.
2. Remove the drivetrain reinforcement to front frame mounting stud nut.
3. Remove the drivetrain reinforcement from the vehicle.





18. Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts the J 39580 .
19. Remove the radiator to front frame brackets.




20. Remove the bolts which secure the front frame to the body.




21. Remove the bolts which secure the rear frame to the body.
22. Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the body.
23. If you are replacing the frame, remove the following components:

* Both of the lower control arms. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
* The stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
* The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers. Refer to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front) or to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear) .




Installation Procedure





1. If you are replacing the frame, install the following components:

* Both of the lower control arms-Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
* The stabilizer shaft-Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
* The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers-Refer to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front) or to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear) .

2. Position the engine support table with the frame under the vehicle.
3. Lower the vehicle to the frame.




4. Loosely install the bolts to secure the rear frame to the body.




5. Loosely install the bolts to secure the front frame to the body.
6. Align the frame to the body by inserting two 19 X 203 mm (0.74 X 8 in) pins in the alignment holes on the right side of the frame.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice Cautions and Notices.

7. Install the front and rear frame bolts.

* Tighten the front bolts to 145 N.m (107 lb ft).
* Tighten the rear bolts to 160 N.m (118 lb ft).


8. Install the drivetrain reinforcements using the following procedure:

1. Position the drivetrain reinforcements to the front frame mount stud to the support brace.
2. Loosely install the drivetrain reinforcement to support brace bolts.
3. Install the drivetrain reinforcement to cradle mount nut.

* Tighten the drivetrain reinforcement brace nut to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
* Tighten the drivetrain reinforcement brace bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).



9. Install the radiator to front frame brackets.
10. Connect both the lower ball joints to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Ball Joint Replacement.
11. Install the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement.
12. Install the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left.
13. Install the steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement.
14. Install the stabilizer shaft links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.




15. If applicable, connect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness to the frame and lower control arm.
16. If applicable, connect the front wheel speed sensor connectors (1).
17. If applicable, install the front wheel speed harness retainers (2) to the frame and to the lower control arm.
18. Install the positive battery cable and retainers to the frame. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement (RPOs L26/L32) Battery Positive Cable Replacement (RPO LS4).
19. Install the power steering cooler pipe. Refer to Power Steering Return Hose Replacement.
20. Connect the fog lamp harness connectors.
21. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
22. Lower the vehicle.
23. Remove the engine support fixture.
24. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment.