Removal Procedure
- Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
- Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
- Remove the radiator lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle and Deflector Replacement - Lower in Engine Cooling.
- Disconnect the fog lamp electrical connectors and position aside.
- Remove the positive battery cable and retainers from the frame and position the cable aside. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement in Engine Electrical.
- Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe from the frame. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement (L26) in Power Steering System.
- 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. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
- Remove the mounting bolts. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
- Secure the power steering gear.
- Remove the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L.
- Remove the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Automatic Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.
- Disconnect both front wheel speed sensor connectors (1), if equipped.
- Remove both speed harness retainers (2) from the frame and the lower control arms, if equipped.
- Separate both of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
- Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts J 39580 . See Special Tools .
- Remove and DISCARD the bolts which secure the front frame to the body.
- Remove the bolts which secure the rear frame to the body.
- Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the body.
- If you are replacing the frame, remove the following components:
- Both 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 and to Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement - Rear .