Front Suspension

Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair.

2. Turn the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position. Ensure the front tires are in the straight-ahead position.

3. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.

4. Place a drain pan under the power steering gear in order to catch the power steering fluid.

5. Remove the power steering pipes from the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement Steering Gear Replacement.





6. Place a match mark on the stub shaft housing that lines up with the groove of the intermediate shaft. This mark will be used for proper alignment during installation.





7. Remove the lower pinch bolt from the universal joint on the intermediate shaft.





8. If the vehicle has a manual transaxle, remove the gear shift control bracket and fixing clip.

9. Remove the center member. Refer to Engine Front Crossmember Replacement Engine Front Crossmember Replacement.

10. Remove the front exhaust pipe. Refer to Front Pipe Replacement (2.5L) Service and Repair.





11. Separate the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement Service and Repair.

12. Separate the control arm ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Control Arm Replacement Front Suspension.





13. Remove the crossmember bolts-to-control arm and nuts-to-longitudinal frame.

Caution:
Failure to support crossmember can cause crossmember to drop to the ground when crossmember mounting bolts are removed.

14. Lower the crossmember.





15. Remove the power steering gear from the crossmember assembly. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement Steering Gear Replacement.

16. Remove the stabilizer shaft from the crossmember assembly. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement Front Suspension.

17. Remove the control arm from the crossmember assembly. Refer to Control Arm Replacement Front Suspension.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the control arm to the crossmember assembly. Refer to Control Arm Replacement Front Suspension.

2. Install the stabilizer shaft to the crossmember assembly. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement Front Suspension.

3. Install the power steering gear to the crossmember assembly. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement Steering Gear Replacement.

4. Raise the crossmember assembly up to the vehicle.

Notice:
Refer to Fastener Notice Fastener Notice.

5. Install the crossmember bolts-to-control arm, nuts-to-longitudinal frame and crossmember.

Tighten the crossmember bolts-to-control arm and nuts-to-longitudinal frame to 150 Nm (110 lb ft).





6. Install the control arm ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Control Arm Replacement Front Suspension.

7. Install the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement Service and Repair.

8. Install the front exhaust pipe. Refer to Front Pipe Replacement (2.5L) Service and Repair.

9. Install the center member. Refer to Engine Front Crossmember Replacement Engine Front Crossmember Replacement.





10. If the vehicle has a manual transaxle, install the shift control bracket and clip.





Important:
The steering gear must be in the straight-ahead position.


11. Align the match marks on the steering shafts in order to ensure proper positioning. Seat the steering gear stub shaft into the intermediate shaft.





12. Install the lower intermediate shaft pinch bolt.

Tighten the intermediate shaft pinch bolt to 25 Nm (18 lb ft).

13. Install the power steering pipes to the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement Steering Gear Replacement.

14. Install the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.

15. Lower the vehicle.