Cradle Removal

CAUTION: MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED PRIOR TO LIFTING. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY WHEN A VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE END FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE TO BE REMOVED. MAKE SURE THE HOIST DOES NOT CONTACT FUEL OR BRAKE LINES.





1. Jack or raise the vehicle squarely on a hoist. Reference lift instructions for positioning vehicle correctly on hoist.
2. Remove the front wheels, and shield attachment fasteners from cradle.





3. Remove brake caliper bracket attachment bolts (two each side) and tie caliper assemblies to the shock tower springs using safety wire or plastic tie straps. Shock assemblies and springs remain with body.
4. Remove both strut to knuckle attachment bolts (two each side) and allow knuckle and hub assembly to remain with cradle. The stabilizer bar remains attached to cradle and lower control arms.





5. Disconnect lower radiator and heater return hoses at engine. Use hose clamp service tool SA9lllE (Snap-on Tool HCP10 or equivalent).
6. Disconnect heater inlet hose at front of dash or engine.
7. Disconnect steering shaft and power steering pressure switch electrical connector at gear, if applicable.

NOTICE: Do not bend the front exhaust pipe hanger attached to the engine stiffening bracket when servicing the front exhaust pipe and/or catalytic convertor. Bending the bracket may cause premature failure.





8. Disconnect engine front exhaust pipe at exhaust manifold, catalytic converter and powertrain stiffening bracket. Refer to "Exhaust" for front exhaust pipe removal procedures.
9. Remove automatic transaxle flywheel cover and torque converter to flexplate bolts, if applicable.





10. Disconnect electrical and vacuum connections:
a. Starter (solenoid and battery feed).
b. Generator (field and battery feed).
c. Oil pressure sensor.
d. Knock sensor.
e. Crankshaft position sensor.

IMPORTANT: The EVO solenoid connector is also accessible from underhood on vehicles with the SOHC (L24) engine.

f. EVO Solenoid (if equipped).
g. Vehicle speed sensor.
h. EVAP canister purge solenoid.
i. PCM and oxygen sensor.
j. ABS wheel sensors connector grounds, if equipped.





11. Unclip brake lines from rear side of cradle.





12. Carefully remove the electrical harness from the engine. Lower the vehicle enough on the hoist to lay the electrical harness on top of the underhood junction block and battery cover.





13. Place a 1 inch x 1 inch x 2 inch long block of wood between the torque strut and cradle.

IMPORTANT: Installation of the wood block prior to upper engine torque axis mount removal allows the mount to be easily installed without lifting or jacking the powertrain.





14. Remove the three right-hand, upper engine torque axis mount to front cover nuts and the two mount to midrail bracket nuts, allowing the powertrain to rest on the block of wood.





15. Place powertrain support dolly under the cradle. Use two 4 inch x 4 inch x 36 inch blocks of wood to support the cradle on the dolly.
16. Remove the two right-hand, front engine mount, torque strut brackets to cradle nuts.
17. Remove the four cradle attachment bolts and carefully lower the complete powertrain assembly from vehicle or raise vehicle off powertrain assembly.