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Home >> Eagle >> 1997 >> Vision V6-201 3.3L VIN T SFI >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering and Suspension >> Suspension >> Stabilizer Bar >> Service and Repair >> Front >> Removal

Removal





NOTE: When removing the front stabilizer bar from this vehicle, it is necessary to remove the entire front cradle module as an assembly from the vehicle.

SUPPORTING ENGINE ASSEMBLY
To allow for removal of the cradle module assembly from the vehicle. It will be necessary to support the engine and transaxle assembly using Fixture, Engine Support, Special Tool 7137 or equivalent.

CAUTION: No attempt should be made to support or lift either engine application using the intake manifold, or any other location on engine not specified below.





1. Mount Fixture, Engine Support Special Tool 7137 or equivalent across engine compartment. Using nylon webbing material such as seat belt material or equivalent, mount it to the following locations on the engine.





2. Remove bolt attaching A/C compressor bracket to front of engine. Install webbing material hook on A/C compressor bolt, install bolt and tighten.
3. Loosen but do not remove generator to engine mounting bolt, remove spacer between generator and engine. Install webbing material hook between generator and engine, re-install and tighten original bolt.
4. Remove electronic ignition coil, mounting bracket bolt from rear of engine. Install webbing material hook on bracket bolt and re-install and tighten bolt. Note: Route webbing material between fuel injector rail and valve cover, not between fuel injector rail and intake manifold.
5. Mount remaining piece of webbing material to left cylinder head using threaded hole on back of cylinder head. Using a bolt of the correct thread size and length, install webbing hook on bolt. Then install bolt into threaded hole on back of cylinder head and tighten bolt.
6. Securely attach pieces of webbing material to hook on engine holding fixture. Tighten hook on engine holding fixture until all slack is remove from all 4 pieces of webbing material.

CRADLE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.
2. Remove both front wheel and tire assemblies from the vehicle.

Fig. 10 Ball Joint Stud To Steering Knuckle Clamp Nut And Bolt Removal:





3. Remove left and right ball joint stud to steering knuckle attaching nut and bolt.

CAUTION:
- Pulling steering knuckle out from vehicle after releasing from ball joint can separate inner tripod joint.

- When lower control is separated from steering knuckle, do not let ball joint seal hit up against steering knuckle. If ball joint seal hits steering knuckle, seal damage may occur. If ball joint seal becomes torn, replace seal before assembling lower control arm to knuckle.





4. Carefully insert a pry bar between lower control arm and steering knuckle, to separate ball joint stud from steering knuckle. Use caution when separating ball joint stud from steering knuckle so ball joint seal does not get cut.





5. Remove ground strap from cradle assembly. Ground strap is located on right side of cradle below driveshaft.





6. Remove the 4 nuts attaching the motor mounts to the cradle assembly.





7. Remove the 4 bolts attaching the transaxle mount to the rear of the cradle assembly.





8. Remove the 4 bolts (2 each) attaching the stabilizer bar isolator bushing retainers and bushings to the cradle assembly.

WARNING: Jack stands are required to support the cradle assembly and transaxle assembly during cradle assembly removal from the vehicle. Do not attempt to remove cradle without using jack stands to support components.





9. Position a jack stand under front of cradle and at center of transaxle to cradle assembly mount. Raise jack stand at transaxle mount until transaxle mount lust lifts off cradle assembly.
10. Cradle assembly is now ready to be removed from vehicle using the following procedure. A helper will be required when removing cradle assembly from vehicle.
- Loosen but do not fully remove the 2 rear cradle assembly to body attaching bolts.
- Loosen and remove the 2 front cradle assembly to body attaching bolts.
- With a helper supporting rear of cradle assembly and the jack stand supporting transaxle. Remove the 2 rear cradle assembly to body attaching bolts.
- Slowly lower front jack stand until weight of engine is supported by engine support fixture and motor mount bolts are clear of cradle assembly. With a helper at rear of cradle assembly, lift front of cradle assembly off jack stand and remove from vehicle.





11. After cradle assembly is removed from vehicle. Remove the 2 stabilizer bar, to stabilizer bar link attaching nuts. Remove stabilizer bar assembly from vehicle.





STABILIZER BAR AND BUSHING INSPECTION
Inspect for broken or distorted retainers and bushings. If bushing replacement is required, bushing can be removed by opening slit in bushing and removing bushing from around stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar to cradle assembly bushings, should be positioned on stabilizer bar, so slit in bushing is positioned toward front of vehicle.





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