Frame Replacement: Removal

Install the engine support fixture. See ENGINE SUPPORT FIXTURE .
Raise and support the vehicle.
Remove the front tires and wheels.
Remove the radiator lower air deflector.
Disconnect the fog lamp electrical connectors and position aside.
Remove the positive (+) battery cable and retainers from the frame and position the cable aside.
Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe from the frame.
Secure the power steering cooler.
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.
Remove the mounting bolts.
Secure the power steering gear.
Remove the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. See ENGINE MOUNT STRUT BRACKET .
Remove the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame.
Disconnect both front wheel speed sensor connectors (1), if equipped. See Fig 1 .
Remove both speed harness retainers (2) from the frame and the lower control arms, if equipped. See Fig 1 .

Fig 1: Disconnecting/Connecting Front Wheel Speed Sensor Connectors
Courtesy of GM
Separate both of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle. See appropriate FRONT article in SUSPENSION.
Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts Universal Engine Support Table (J-39580).
Remove and DISCARD the bolts which secure the front frame to the body. See Fig 2 .
Remove and DISCARD the bolts which secure the front frame to the body. See Fig 3 .

Fig 2: Removing/Installing Front Frame-To-Body Bolts
Courtesy of GM

Fig 3: Removing/Installing Rear Frame-To-Body Bolts
Courtesy of GM
Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the body.
If you are replacing the frame, remove the following components:
- Both of the lower control arms.
- The stabilizer shaft.
- The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers.