Cradle Removal From Vehicle

WARNING: Do not allow smoking or the use of open flames in the area where work on the fuel system is taking place. any time the fuel system is being worked on, disconnect the negative battery cable, except for those tests where battery voltage is required.

1. Disconnect negative battery cable and remove coolant bottle cap.

CAUTION: The engine's cooling system thermostat will not function correctly once it is contacted by oil. If oil is found in the cooling system, it must be flushed and the thermostat's cartridge replaced.





2. Drain engine coolant. Drains are located at right front corner of the engine block and right hand side of radiator.
3. Remove air induction system inlet hose or air cleaner assembly. Cover the throttle body opening with a shop towel.





4. Disconnect electrical and vacuum connectors where applicable:
a. Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor and coolant temperature sensor.
b. Oxygen sensor and clip at transaxle front mount bracket.
c. Idle Air Control (IAC) valve.
d. Ignition coil (two different connectors).
e. Throttle Position (TP) sensor.
f. MAP sensor.
g. EGR solenoid.
h. Brake booster hose at brake booster or intake manifold.





i. Ground connectors (two, located at transaxle attachment studs at rear side of cylinder block.
j. Injector connector(s).





k. Automatic/manual transaxle connectors:
- Neutral safety/selector switch (three connectors).
- Valve body actuator connector.
- Turbine speed sensor.
- Transaxle temperature sensor.
- Back-up light switch (manual transaxle).

NOTE: The transaxle electrical connectors and shift cable(s) can also be removed after the vehicle is on a hoist and the left-hand side splash shield is removed.

5. Disconnect accelerator cable assembly.

WARNING: Catch leaking fuel in a container whenever fuel lines are loosened or disconnected.

6. Disconnect both fuel lines.





a. Fuel pressure can be bled into an approved container using Gauge Bar kit.





b. Disconnect the fuel supply and return lines at connectors. Fuel lines can be tied to brake master cylinder lines to prevent fuel spill.
7. Disconnect the upper radiator hose at cylinder head outlet and deaeration hose at engine.

NOTE: It is not necessary to discharge the A/C compressor during powertrain removal.





8. Remove A/C compressor (if equipped) bolts and tie the compressor to the front crossbar. Leave both A/C mounting brackets mounted on the engine.
9. Disconnect the automatic transaxle cooler lines at transaxle and plug.

NOTE: Pinch the plastic connector tabs and pull on the line. Wrap the end of the lines in a clean shop towel to prevent debris entry.

Fig. 5 Transaxle Shifter Cable Removal.:

10. Disconnect the automatic transaxle shifter cable.
11. Manual transaxle shifter cables and clutch hydraulic system.





a. Remove the two hydraulic damper to clutch housing stud nuts and slide damper and bracket assembly off studs.
b. Rotate clutch actuator 1/4 turn counter clockwise while pushing toward housing to disengage the bayonet connector and remove from clutch housing.
c. Tie clutch hydraulic system to battery tray. Do not kink or pinch the nylon hydraulic lines.





12. Using safety wire or plastic tie straps, tie the radiator, condenser, and fan module to the front vehicle crossbar. The safety wire or plastic tie straps can be routed around the two fan shroud supports and around the crossbar.

WARNING: Make sure the vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned prior to lifting. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which components are to be removed. Make sure the hoist does not contact fuel or brake lines.





13. Jack or raise the vehicle squarely on a hoist.
14. Remove the front wheels, and shield attachment fasteners from cradle.





15. Remove brake caliper bracket attachment bolts (two each side) and tie caliper assemblies to the shock tower springs using safety wire or plastic tie straps. Shock assemblies and springs remain with body.
16. Remove both strut to knuckle attachment bolts (two each side) and allow knuckle and hub assembly to remain with cradle. The stabilizer bar remains attached to cradle and lower control arms.





17. Disconnect lower radiator and heater return hoses at engine. Use hose clamp service tool (Snap-on Tool HCP10 or equivalent).
18. Disconnect heater inlet hose at front of dash or engine.
19. Disconnect steering shaft and power steering pressure switch electrical connector at gear, if applicable.

CAUTION: Do not bend the front exhaust pipe hanger attached to the engine stiffening bracket when servicing the front exhaust pipe and/or catalytic convertor. Bending the bracket may cause premature failure.

20. Disconnect engine front exhaust pipe at exhaust manifold, catalytic converter and powertrain stiffening bracket.





21. Remove automatic transaxle flywheel cover and torque converter to flexplate bolts, if applicable.





22. Remove generator and starter shields.
23. Disconnect electrical and vacuum connections:
a. Starter (solenoid and battery feed).
b. Generator (field and battery feed).
c. Oil pressure sensor.
d. Knock sensor.
e. Crankshaft position sensor.
f. Vehicle speed sensor.
g. EVAP canister purge solenoid.
h. PCM and oxygen sensor.
i. ABS wheel sensors connector grounds, if equipped.





24. Unclip brake lines from rear side of cradle.





25. Carefully remove the electrical harness from the engine. Lower the vehicle enough on the hoist to lay the electrical harness on top of the underhood junction block and battery cover.





26. Place a 1 inch x 1 inch x 2 inch long block of wood between the torque strut and cradle.

NOTE: Installation of the wood block prior to upper engine torque axis mount removal allows the mount to be easily installed without lifting or jacking the powertrain.





27. Remove the three right-hand, upper engine torque axis mount to front cover nuts and the two mount to midrail bracket nuts, allowing the powertrain to rest on the block of wood.





28. Place powertrain support dolly under the cradle. Use two 4 inch x 4 inch x 36 inch blocks of wood to support the cradle on the dolly.
29. Remove the two right-hand, front engine mount, torque strut brackets to cradle nuts.
30. Remove the four cradle attachment bolts and carefully lower the complete powertrain assembly from vehicle or raise vehicle off powertrain assembly.