Cylinder Block Cradle: Service and Repair
Cylinder Block CradleEngine Lubrication Components - Exploded View:
Removal
All vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Battery.
3. Remove the air cleaner (ACL) outlet tube. For additional information, refer to Fuel Delivery and Air Induction.
4. Remove the starter. For additional information, refer to Starting System.
5. Remove the oil pump screen and pickup tube.
6. Remove the weatherstrip.
7. Remove the bolt and position the power steering fluid reservoir aside.
8. CAUTION: Allow the engine to cool before removing the coolant expansion tank. The radiator draws coolant from the coolant expansion tank as the engine cools. If the coolant expansion tank is removed before the engine cools, the radiator will draw air into the system, resulting in possible engine damage.
Disconnect the coolant overflow hose. Remove the bolts and the coolant expansion tank.
9. Remove the bolts, unclip the clips and remove the upper fan shroud.
10. Remove the heater tube bracket front bolt.
11. Install the special tool using the previously removed bolt.
^ Tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).
12. NOTE: This is not a typical setup. Only the right side of the engine will be raised.
Install the special tools.
All wheel drive (AWD) vehicles
13. Remove the bolts and the stabilizer bar brackets.
14. Remove the bolts and the crossmember.
All vehicles
15. Remove the RH engine support insulator nut.
16. Remove the LH engine support insulator through bolt.
17. Remove the 2 transmission-to-cylinder block cradle bolts.
18. NOTE: Cylinder block cradle is shown removed for clarity. Note the location of the 2 Torx(R) head bolts at the rear of the cylinder block cradle.
Remove the cylinder block cradle rear bolts.
19. Remove the 20 bolts and 2 nuts along the outside of the cylinder block cradle.
20. NOTE: Note the location of the 2 silver-colored bolts that have washer seals. They must be installed in the same position with new washer seals.
Remove the 8 cylinder block cradle inner bolts and the 2 washer seals.
^ Discard the washer seals.
21. Raise the engine.
AWD vehicles
22. WARNING: Secure the assembly to the jack. Avoid any obstructions while lowering and raising the jack. Contact with obstructions may cause the assembly to fall off the jack, which may result in serious personal injury.
Support the front axle with a suitable jack.
23. Disconnect the vent hose from the differential housing vent tube.
24. CAUTION: Any time bolts, washers, spacers or nuts are loosened in the differential support for any reason, install new components to prevent damage.
Remove and discard the axle housing bolts and flagnuts. Lower the axle.
All vehicles
25. Remove the cylinder block cradle.
Installation
All vehicles
1. CAUTION: Failure to back off the set screws may result in damage to the cylinder block cradle.
Back the set screws off until they are below the cylinder block cradle boss.
2. CAUTION: Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes, power abrasive discs or other abrasive means to clean the sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges which make leak paths. Use a plastic scraping tool to remove all traces of the old cylinder block cradle gasket and sealant.
NOTE: Gasket material as well as silicone sealant may be present in the cavities in the main bearing cap. This material must be removed completely prior to assembly.
Clean the gasket mating surfaces, making sure all the sealant is removed from the cavities on the rear main bearing cap. To clean the sealing area, use a plastic scraping tool, silicone gasket remover and metal surface prep. Follow the directions on the packaging.
3. NOTE: If not secured within 4 minutes, the sealant must be removed and the sealing area cleaned. To clean the sealing area, use silicone gasket remover and metal surface prep. Follow the directions on the packaging. Failure to follow this procedure may cause future oil leakage.
Apply silicone in the 6 places shown.
4. Position a new gasket and the cylinder block cradle. Install the outer 20 bolts and 2 nuts finger-tight.
5. Install the 2 cylinder block cradle rear Torx(R) bolts finger-tight.
6. Install the 2 transmission-to-cylinder block cradle bolts.
^ Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).
7. Tighten the outer 20 bolts and 2 nuts.
^ Tighten the nuts to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
^ Tighten the bolts to 14 Nm (10 lb-ft).
8. Tighten the 2 cylinder block cradle rear Torx(R) bolts.
^ Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
9. Tighten the 8 inserts.
^ Tighten to 3 Nm (27 lb-in).
10. Install the 2 silver-colored bolts and new washer seals finger-tight.
11. Install the 6 remaining inner bolts finger-tight.
12. Tighten the 8 inner bolts in the sequence shown in 2 stages.
^ Stage 1: Tighten to 15 Nm (11 lb-ft).
^ Stage 2: Tighten to 34 Nm (25 lb-ft).
AWD vehicles
13. CAUTION: Any time bolts, washers, spacers or nuts are loosened in the differential support for any reason, install new components to prevent damage.
Raise the axle into position and install new bolts and nuts.
^ Tighten to 66 Nm (49 lb-ft).
14. Connect the vent hose to the differential housing vent tube.
All vehicles
15. Lower the engine and remove the special tools.
16. Install the LH engine support insulator through bolt and nut.
^ Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
17. Install the RH engine support insulator nut.
^ Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
AWD vehicles
18. Position the crossmember and install the bolts.
^ Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
19. Position the stabilizer bar brackets and install the bolts.
^ Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
All vehicles
20. Install the oil pump screen and pickup tube.
21. Install the starter.
22. Remove the special tool.
23. Install the heater tube bracket front bolt.
^ Tighten to 34 Nm (25 lb-ft).
24. Position the upper fan shroud and install the bolts.
^ Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
25. Position the coolant expansion tank, install the bolts and connect the coolant overflow hose.
^ Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
26. Position the power steering fluid reservoir and install the bolt.
^ Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
27. Install the weatherstrip.
28. Install the ACL outlet pipe.
29. Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Battery.