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Front Subframe: Service and Repair




Frame Replacement

Special Tools
* J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller
* J 43631 Ball Joint Remover

Removal Procedure

Caution: With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti-rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:

* The steering column
* The intermediate shaft(s)
* The steering gear

After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has became un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil's centering procedure to re-center SIR Coil.

1. With the wheels in the straight ahead position, remove the key from the ignition switch.




2. Secure the cooling module to the upper body structure.
3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
4. Remove the front wheels from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
5. Remove the left and right splash shields and the 3 screws in the inner fenders. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side (Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side) or Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side (Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side).
6. Remove the lower radiator air deflector from the frame.




7. Remove the front transaxle mount to frame through bolt.




8. Remove the rear transaxle mount to frame bolts.




9. Remove both stabilizer link to stabilizer shaft nuts. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Service and Repair).




10. Remove both tie rod to steering knuckle nuts.




11. Use the J 24319-B to separate the outer tie rods from the steering knuckles.




12. Remove the intermediate steering shaft to steering gear pinch bolt and discard.

Note: DO NOT rotate the intermediate shaft once separated from the gear. Possible damage or a malfunction could occur.

13. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.




14. Remove both lower control arm ball stud to steering knuckle pinch bolts.

Caution: Do not free the ball stud by using a pickle fork or a wedge-type tool. Damage to the seal or bushing may result.

15. Lower the lower control arms in order to disengage the steering knuckle. If necessary, use the J 43631 .
16. Mark the frame to body position with a paint pen or permanent marker.




17. Lower the vehicle to approximately 1 meter (3 feet) off the ground in order to place a hydraulic lift table under the frame.
18. Use two 2 x 4s between the lift table and the frame and lift the table to the frame.
19. Slowly remove the frame bolts using the following sequence:

1. Remove the front frame bolts.
2. Remove the rear frame bolts.

20. Slowly lower the lift table and frame to the floor.
21. Continue with the following steps when replacing the frame:

1. Remove the steering gear from the frame. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement (Steering Gear).
2. Remove the stabilizer bar from the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (FE5) (Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (FE5))Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (FE1/FE3) (Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (FE1/FE3)).
3. Remove the lower control arms from the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (Service and Repair).
4. Remove the radiator brackets from the frame.

Installation Procedure

1. If replacing the frame, perform the following steps:

1. Install the radiator brackets to the frame.
2. Install the lower control arms to the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (Service and Repair).
3. Install the stabilizer bar to the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (FE5) (Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (FE5))Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (FE1/FE3) (Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (FE1/FE3)).
4. Install the steering gear to the frame. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement (Steering Gear).

2. With the frame on the lift table, raise the frame to the vehicle.




3. Hand start all the frame bolts while aligning the frame to the paint marks.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

4. Tighten the frame bolts to 100 Nm (74 lb ft) plus 180 degrees.
5. Lower and remove the hydraulic table.




6. Connect the lower control arm to the steering knuckle.

Note: The torque sequence must be followed in the order that is listed.

7. Install the ball joint pinch bolt and nut.

* First Pass-Tighten the nut to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
* Reverse the nut 3/4 turn.
* Second Pass-Tighten the nut to 50 Nm (37 lb ft) plus 30 degrees.





Note: The front and rear transmission mounts must be allowed to settle with the through bolts loosened.

8. Hand start the front transaxle mount through bolt.
9. Loosen the rear transmission mount through bolt.




10. Tighten the rear transaxle mount to frame bolts to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
11. Tighten the front and rear transaxle mount through bolts in the following order.

* Tighten the rear bolt to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).
* Tighten the front bolt to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).




12. Install the outer tie rods to the steering knuckles.
13. Install the new outer tie rod to the knuckle nuts and tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb ft) plus 90 degrees.




14. Connect the stabilizer links to the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Service and Repair).
15. Connect the intermediate shaft to the steering gear.
16. Install a new intermediate shaft pinch bolt and tighten to 34 Nm (25 lb ft).
17. Install the left and right splash shields and the 3 inner fender screws. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side (Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side) or Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side (Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side).
18. Install the lower radiator air deflector to the frame.
19. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
20. Lower the vehicle.
21. Road test the vehicle in order to test for the following conditions:

* Steering leads or pulls-Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement (Wheel Alignment Measurement).
* Abnormal powertrain noise or vibration at idle-Inspect the engine and transmission mounts for proper alignment and torque.

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