Front Subframe: Service and Repair

Frame Replacement

Tools Required

J 39580 Universal Engine Support Table


Removal Procedure

1. Install the engine support fixture. Refer toEngine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L
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 radiator lower air deflector. Refer toRadiator Air Baffle and Deflector Replacement - Lower in Engine Cooling.
5. Disconnect the fog lamp electrical connectors and position aside.
6. Remove the positive battery cable and retainers from the frame and position the cable aside. Refer toBattery Positive Cable Replacement in Engine Electrical.
7. Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe from the frame. Refer toPower Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
8. Secure the power steering cooler.
9. Remove the stabilizer shaft links and rotate the stabilizer shaft up in order to gain access to the mounting bolts on the power steering gear. Refer toStabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
10. Remove the mounting bolts. Refer toPower Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.




11. Secure the power steering gear.
12. Remove the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer toEngine Mount Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L.
13. Remove the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer toAutomatic Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.




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




17. Lower the vehicle until the frame contactsJ 39580 .




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




19. Remove 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 lower control arms-Refer toLower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
* The stabilizer shaft-Refer toStabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
* The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers-Refer toFrame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front) and toFrame 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 lower control arms-Refer toLower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
* The stabilizer shaft-Refer toStabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
* The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers-Refer toFrame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front (Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Front) and toFrame 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 bolts which secure the rear frame to the body.




5. Loosely install the bolts which secure the front frame to the body.
6. Align the frame to the body by inserting two 19 x 203 mm (0.74 x 8.0 in) pins in the alignment holes on the right side of the frame.

Notice: Refer toFastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

7. Install the frame bolts.

* Tighten the rear bolts to 160 Nm (118 lb ft).
* Tighten the front bolts to 145 Nm (107 lb ft).


8. Connect both the lower ball joints to the steering knuckle. Refer toLower Ball Joint Replacement in Front Suspension.
9. Install the nuts which secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer toEngine Mount Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L.
10. Install the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer toAutomatic Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.
11. Install the steering gear mounting bolts. Refer toPower Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
12. Install the stabilizer shaft links. Refer toStabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.




13. Connect both speed sensor connectors (1) to the front wheels, if equipped.
14. Install both front wheel speed harness retainers (2) to the frame and to the lower control arm, if equipped.
15. Install the positive battery cable and retainers to the frame. Refer toBattery Positive Cable Replacement in Engine Electrical.
16. Install the power steering cooler pipe. Refer toPower Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
17. Install the radiator lower air deflector. Refer toRadiator Air Baffle and Deflector Replacement - Lower in Engine Cooling.
18. Connect the fog lamp electrical connectors.
19. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer toTire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
20. Lower the vehicle.
21. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer toEngine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L.
22. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer toMeasuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment.