GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2003 🢒 Corvette 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Rear Suspension 🢒 Crossmember Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 581404 Size: SH
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Disconnect the electrical connectors from both wheel speed sensors.

    4. Object Number: 583226 Size: SH
  4. Disconnect the electronic suspension control (ESC) position sensor links, if equipped.

    5. Object Number: 581266 Size: SH
  5. Disconnect the shock absorber solenoid electrical connectors, if equipped.
  6. Remove the transverse spring from the crossmember. Refer to Rear Transverse Spring Replacement .
  7. Support the crossmember with a transmission jack.
  8. Remove the stabilizer shaft from the vehicle. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
  9. Disconnect the outer tie rod end studs from the rear suspension knuckles. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement .

    10. Object Number: 65329 Size: SH
  10. Remove the transaxle mount lower nuts. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement in Rear Drive Axle.

    11. Object Number: 171212 Size: SH
  11. Remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolts from the lower control arms.
  12. Remove the upper control arm from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement .
  13. Loosen the nut on the lower control arm ball joint stud. Do not remove.
  14. Rotate the suspension knuckles backwards until the wheel drive shaft clears the differential. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  15. Support the wheel drive shafts and the rear suspension knuckles.
  16. Disconnect all the electrical connectors from the crossmember.
  17. Disconnect the brake pipes from the crossmember.
  18. Support the transaxle under the transmission pan with a transmission jack.
  19. Remove the rear crossmember mounting nuts.
  20. Remove the crossmember from the vehicle.
  21. Discard the rear crossmember mounting nuts.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 171212 Size: SH
  1. Install the crossmember to the vehicle.
    2. • Align the crossmember dowel pins to the holes in the frame rails.
    • Align the transaxle mount studs to the crossmember.

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  2. Install NEW rear suspension crossmember mounting nuts.

    3. Tighten
    Tighten the NEW rear crossmember mounting nuts to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).

  3. Remove the transmission jack from the transmission pan.
  4. Connect all electrical connectors to the crossmember.
  5. Connect the brake pipes to the retainers in the crossmember.
  6. Install the transaxle mount lower nuts. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement in Rear Drive Axle.
  7. Install the inner constant velocity (CV) joints to the differential. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  8. Install the rear suspension knuckles to the lower control arms. Refer to Knuckle Replacement .
  9. Install the shock absorbers to the lower control arms. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
  10. Install the outer tie rod end studs into the rear suspension knuckles. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement .
  11. Install the stabilizer shaft to the crossmember. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
  12. Remove the jack stands from under the lower control arms.
  13. Install the transverse spring to the crossmember. Refer to Rear Transverse Spring Replacement .

    14. Object Number: 581404 Size: SH
  14. Connect the electrical connectors to the wheel speed sensors.

    15. Object Number: 581266 Size: SH
  15. Connect the shock absorber solenoid connectors, if equipped.

    16. Object Number: 583226 Size: SH
  16. Connect the ESC position sensor links, if equipped.

    17. Object Number: 200316 Size: SH
  17. Set the spring stud height (1) to the measurement taken before removal.
  18. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  19. Lower the vehicle.