Subframe: Service and Repair

Frame Replacement

Tools Required

J 39580 Universal Engine Support Table


Removal Procedure

1. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
3. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
4. Disconnect the fog lamp electrical connectors, and position the connectors aside.
5. Remove the radiator lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle and Deflector Replacement - Lower in Engine Cooling.
6. Remove the positive battery cable and retainers from the frame and position the cable aside. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement in Engine Electrical.
7. Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe from the frame. Refer to Power Steering Return Hose Replacement in Power Steering Systems.
8. Secure the power steering cooler.
9. Remove the stabilizer shaft links and rotate the stabilizer shaft up to gain access to the mounting bolts on the power steering gear. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
10. Remove the mounting bolts. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering Systems.




11. Secure the power steering gear.
12. Remove the nuts which secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement - Front in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
13. Remove the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Automatic Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.




14. Disconnect both front wheel speed sensor connectors (1).
15. Remove both front wheel speed harness retainers (2) from the frame and the lower control arms.
16. Separate both of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.




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




18. Remove and DISCARD the bolts which secure the front frame to the body.




19. Remove and DISCARD the bolts which secure the rear frame to the body.
20. Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the body.
21. If you are replacing the frame, remove the following components:

* Both of the lower control arms
Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
* The stabilizer shaft
Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
* The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers
Refer to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front) and to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear).



Installation Procedure

1. If you are replacing the frame, install the following components:

* Both of the lower control arms
Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
* The stabilizer shaft
Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
* The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers
Refer to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front) and to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear).





2. Position the engine support table with the frame under the vehicle.
3. Lower the vehicle to the frame.




4. Loosely install the NEW bolts to secure the rear frame to the body.




5. Loosely install the NEW bolts to secure the front frame to the body.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

6. Align the frame to the body by inserting two 19X203 mm (0.74X8.0 in) pins in the alignment holes on the right side of the frame.

Tighten the frame bolts to 180 N.m (133 lb ft).

7. Connect both the lower ball joints to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
8. Install the nuts which secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement - Front in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
9. Install the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Automatic Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.
10. Install the steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering Systems.
11. Install the stabilizer shaft links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.




12. Connect both front wheel speed sensor connectors (1).
13. Install both front wheel speed harness retainers (2) to the frame and to the lower control arm.
14. Install the positive battery cable and retainers to the frame. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement in Engine Electrical.
15. Install the power steering cooler pipe. Refer to Power Steering Return Hose Replacement in Power Steering Systems.
16. Install the radiator lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle and Deflector Replacement - Lower in Engine Cooling.
17. Connect the fog lamp electrical connectors to the fog lamps.
18. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
19. Lower the vehicle.
20. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
21. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment.
22. Center the steering angle sensor. Refer to Steering Angle Sensor Centering Procedure in Antilock Brake System.