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Frame Replacement (Convertible)




Frame Replacement (Convertible)

Special Tools

J 39580 Engine Support Stand

Removal Procedure

1. Support the radiator and condenser from above.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair.
3. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.
4. Remove the engine splash shields. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side and Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side.
5. Remove the radiator air lower baffle. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement.
6. Disconnect the antilock brake system (ABS) sensor from the wheel speed sensor and frame.




7. Remove the lower ball joints from the steering knuckles.
8. Remove the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.




9. Remove both stabilizer links from the stabilizer bar.
10. Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts and secure the gear out of the way using mechanics wire or equivalent, being sure not to overextend the intermediate shaft. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement (Electronic Power Steering) Steering Gear Replacement (Electronic Power Steering)Steering Gear Replacement (Hydraulic Power Steering LY7) Steering Gear Replacement (Hydraulic Power Steering LZ4, LZ9) .
11. Remove the engine mount nuts from the frame. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement (Coupe) Engine Mount ReplacementEngine Mount Replacement (Convertible) Engine Mount Replacement for the 3.5L engine.
12. Remove the front transmission mount bolt from the frame. Refer to Transmission Front Mount Replacement Transmission Front Mount Replacement for the 4T45-E transmission, or Transmission Front Mount Replacement Transmission Front Mount Replacement for the 4T65-E transmission.
13. Remove the left transmission mount nuts from the frame. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (2.4L) Transmission Mount Replacement - Left SideTransmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (3.5L) Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side for the 4T45-E transmission, or Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (Sedan/Coupe) Transmission Mount Replacement - Left SideTransmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (Convertible) Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side for the 4T65-E transmission.
14. Remove the rear transmission mount bracket nuts from the frame. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the 4T45-E transmission, or Transmission Rear Mount Bracket Replacement Transmission Rear Mount Bracket Replacement for the 4T65-E transmission.
15. Remove the brake lines from the retainers on the frame.
16. Remove the catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side (LY7) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side (LZ4) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side (LZ9) or Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (LY7) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (LZ4) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (LZ9 w/RPO M15) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (M15)Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (LZ9 w/RPO MT2) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (MT2).
17. Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts and secure the gear out of the way using mechanics wire or equivalent. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement (Electronic Power Steering) Steering Gear Replacement (Electronic Power Steering)Steering Gear Replacement (Hydraulic Power Steering LY7) Steering Gear Replacement (Hydraulic Power Steering LZ4, LZ9) .
Ensure NOT to overextend the intermediate shaft.




18. Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts the J 39580 .




19. Remove the frame reinforcement bolts (2) and frame brace bolts (1).




20. Remove the front frame bolts (1).
21. Remove the rear frame bolts (5).
22. Remove the frame reinforcements (2).
23. Raise the vehicle off of the frame.
24. Remove the following components if replacing the frame:

* The lower control arms-Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement Front Suspension.
* The stabilizer shaft-Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement Rear Suspension.

Installation Procedure

1. Install the following components on the suspension crossmember if removed:

* The stabilizer shaft-Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement Rear Suspension.
* The lower control arms-Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement Front Suspension.




2. Lower the vehicle on to the frame.
3. Install the power steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement (Electronic Power Steering) Steering Gear Replacement (Electronic Power Steering)Steering Gear Replacement (Hydraulic Power Steering LY7) Steering Gear Replacement (Hydraulic Power Steering LZ4, LZ9) .
4. Install the frame reinforcements (2).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.

5. Install the rear frame bolts (5) and tighten the bolts to 100 Nm (74 lb ft) plus 90 degree rotation.
6. Install the front frame bolts (1) and tighten the bolts to 100 Nm (74 lb ft) plus 90 degree rotation.




7. Install the frame reinforcement bolts (2) and frame brace bolts (1) and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
8. Install the cradle support bolts and tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).
9. Raise the vehicle.
10. Install the brake lines to the retainers on the frame.
11. Install the rear transmission mount bracket nuts. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the 4T45-E transmission, or Transmission Rear Mount Bracket Replacement Transmission Rear Mount Bracket Replacement for the 4T65-E transmission.
12. Install the left transmission mount nuts to the frame. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (2.4L) Transmission Mount Replacement - Left SideTransmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (3.5L) Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side for the 4T45-E transmission, or Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (Sedan/Coupe) Transmission Mount Replacement - Left SideTransmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (Convertible) Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side for the 4T65-E transmission.
13. Install the front transmission mount bracket bolt. Refer to Transmission Front Mount Replacement Transmission Front Mount Replacement for the 4T45-E transmission, or Transmission Front Mount Replacement Transmission Front Mount Replacement for the 4T65-E transmission.
14. Install the engine mount nuts to the frame. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement (Coupe) Engine Mount ReplacementEngine Mount Replacement (Convertible) Engine Mount Replacement for the 3.5L engine.
15. Install the power steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement (Electronic Power Steering) Steering Gear Replacement (Electronic Power Steering)Steering Gear Replacement (Hydraulic Power Steering LY7) Steering Gear Replacement (Hydraulic Power Steering LZ4, LZ9) .




16. Install both stabilizer links to the stabilizer bar and tighten the nut to 65 Nm (48 lb ft) plus 180 degree rotation.
17. Install the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.




18. Install the lower ball joints to the steering knuckles.

1. Tighten the ball stud to steering knuckle pinch nut to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
2. Reverse the nut 3/4 of a turn.
3. Tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft) plus 60 degrees.

19. Install the rear catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side (LY7) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side (LZ4) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side (LZ9) and Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (LY7) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (LZ4) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (LZ9 w/RPO M15) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (M15)Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (LZ9 w/RPO MT2) Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side (MT2).
20. Connect the ABS sensor to the wheel speed sensor and frame.
21. Install the radiator air lower baffle. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement.
22. Install the engine splash shields. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side and Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side.
23. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.
24. Remove the engine support fixture.
25. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding Service and Repair.

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