Front Subframe: Service and Repair

Frame Replacement - Front

Tools Required

J 39580 Engine Support Stand


Removal Procedure

1. Support the engine. Refer toEngine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer toLifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
3. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer toTire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
4. Remove the front fender liner enough to gain access to the front frame bolts. Refer toWheelhouse Liner Replacement - Front (Service and Repair) in Exterior Trim.
5. Remove both outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckles. Refer toSteering Knuckle Replacement in Front Suspension.
6. Remove the stabilizer shaft. Refer toStabilizer Shaft Replacement (FWD) Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (AWD) in Front Suspension.
7. Remove the propeller shaft . Refer toPropeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.

Important: It is NOT necessary to remove the catalytic converter pipe on FWD models.


8. Remove the catalytic converter pipe. Refer toCatalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
9. Remove the power steering gear heat shield. Refer toPower Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement in Power Steering System.
10. Remove the power steering gear bolts. Refer toPower Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
11. Remove the power steering gear from the frame. Refer toPower Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
12. Use mechanics wire secure the power steering gear to the exhaust pipe.
13. Remove the front engine splash shield. Refer toSplash Shield Replacement - Engine (Service and Repair) in Body Front End.
14. Remove the power steering cooler pipe from the frame. Refer toPower Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
15. Use mechanics wire to secure the power steering cooler line out of the way .
16. Disconnect the front wheel speed sensor connectors.
17. Remove the front wheel speed sensor wiring harnesses from the lower control arms.
18. Remove the lower ball joints from the steering knuckles. Refer toSteering Knuckle Replacement in Front Suspension.
19. Remove the engine mount nuts. Refer toEngine Mount Replacement - Right in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
20. Remove the transaxle mount nuts. Refer toAutomatic Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.




21. Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts theJ 39580 .




22. Remove the frame front bolts.
23. Remove the frame rear bolts.
24. Remove the frame strap bolts and straps.
25. Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the vehicle.
26. If you are replacing the frame, perform the following steps:

1. Remove the frame insulators from the frame. Refer toFrame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front) .
2. Remove the lower control arms from the frame. Refer toLower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.




Installation Procedure

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

1. Install the lower control arms to the frame. Refer toLower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
2. Install the frame insulators to the frame. Refer toFrame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front) .

2. Position the transaxle table with the frame under the vehicle.





Important: Ensure that the power steering cooler line does not become trapped by the engine mount during this step.


3. Lower the vehicle until the frame is close to the vehicle.
4. Adjust the utility straps as necessary in order to align the powertrain mounts with the frame.

Important: Ensure that the alignment pins remain installed during the frame installation.


5. Inserting two 19 mm (0.75 in) diameter X 203 mm (8.0 in) long guide pins or drill bits into the frame right side alignment holes in order to align the frame.





Notice: Refer toFastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

6. Install the frame front bolts.

Tighten the bolts to 130 Nm (96 lb ft).

7. Install the frame straps and bolts.

Tighten the bolts to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).

8. Install the frame rear bolts.

Tighten the bolts to 240 Nm (177 lb ft).

9. Remove the alignment pins from the frame.
10. Install the transaxle mount nuts. Refer toAutomatic Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.
11. Install the engine mount nuts. Refer toEngine Mount Replacement - Right in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
12. Install the wheel speed sensor wiring harnesses to the lower control arms.
13. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connectors.
14. Install the lower ball joints to the steering knuckles. Refer toSteering Knuckle Replacement in Front Suspension.
15. Install the power steering cooler pipe to the frame. Refer toPower Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
16. Install the front engine splash shield. Refer toSplash Shield Replacement - Engine (Service and Repair) in Body Front End.
17. Install the power steering gear to the frame. Refer toPower Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
18. Install the power steering gear bolts. Refer toPower Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
19. Install the power steering gear heat shield. Refer toPower Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement in Power Steering System.
20. Install the propeller shaft. Refer toPropeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
21. Install the catalytic converter pipe. Refer toCatalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
22. Install the stabilizer shaft. Refer toStabilizer Shaft Replacement (FWD) Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (AWD) in Front Suspension.
23. Install both tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Refer toSteering Knuckle Replacement in Front Suspension.
24. Install the front fender liner . Refer toWheelhouse Liner Replacement - Front (Service and Repair) in Exterior Trim.
25. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer toTire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
26. Lower the vehicle.
27. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer toEngine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
28. Inspect the front wheel alignment and adjust the toe angle if necessary. Refer toMeasuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment.