Frame Replacement LNJ

Special Tools

J 43828 Ball Joint Remover

1. Secure the radiator to the upper radiator support.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
3. Remove the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
4. Remove the side splash shield-to-frame fasteners.
5. Remove the front air dam-to-frame fasteners.



6. Remove the rear transaxle mount-to-frame bolts.



7. Remove the front transaxle mount through bolt.



8. Remove the steering gear-to-frame bolts.
9. Using mechanics wire, secure the steering gear to the exhaust.



10. Remove the stabilizer shaft clamp-to-frame bolts.



11. Remove the lower ball joint cotter pins. Discard the cotter pins.



12. Loosen the lower ball joint castle nut until the nut is level with the top of the ball stud.

Caution: Do not free the ball stud by using a pickle fork or a wedge-type tool. Damage to the seal or bushing may result.

13. Using the J 43828 , separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle.



14. Remove the frame-to-body bolts. Discard the bolts.
15. Carefully lower the frame from the vehicle.
16. Remove the lower control arms. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.

1. Install the lower control arms. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
2. Raise the frame to the body.




Note: Do not tighten the fasteners at this time.

3. Loosely install new frame-to-body bolts.



4. Connect the ball joint stud to the steering knuckle.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

5. Install the ball stud castle nut and tighten to 40 N·m (30 lb in).

Note: 

•	Do not loosen the castle nut in order to align the cotter pin slots.

•	Ensure the cutter pin ends do not contact the wheel speed sensor harness.

6. Continue to tighten the castle nut to align the slots with the opening in the ball stud and install the ball stud cotter pin.



7. Remove the mechanics wire and install the steering gear to the frame. Tighten the bolts to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).



8. Install the front transaxle mount through bolt and tighten to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).



9. Install the rear transaxle mount-to-frame bolts and tighten to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
10. Install the stabilizer shaft clamp and tighten the bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
11. Tighten the frame-to-body bolts to 155 N·m (114 lb ft).
12. Install the front air dam fasteners.
13. Install the side splash shield-to-frame fasteners.
14. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. Release the radiator from the upper radiator support.
17. Align the front suspension. Refer to Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment.

Frame Replacement LY7

Special Tools

J 39580 Engine Support Table

1. Secure the radiator, air conditioning condenser, and fan module assembly to the upper tie bar to keep the assembly with the vehicle when the frame is removed.
2. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture.
3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
4. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
5. Remove the engine splash shields. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement.
6. Remove the catalytic converters. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side and Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side.
7. Remove the propeller shaft if the vehicle is equipped with AWD. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
8. Remove both left and right stabilizer shaft insulator clamps. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Replacement.



9. Remove the lower ball joints from the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.




Note: Whenever the steering gear is moved in relation to the body, disconnect the intermediate shaft from the steering gear.

10. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement.



11. Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts (1) and secure the gear out of the way using mechanics wire or equivalent. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement.



12. Remove the front transmission mount thru bolt (1).



13. Remove the left transmission mount lower nuts (1).



14. Remove the rear transmission mount to frame bolts (1).



15. Remove the lower engine mount bracket to frame bolts (2).



16. Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts the J 39580 .



17. Remove the frame reinforcements. Refer to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Reinforcement Replacement.



18. Remove the front frame bolts.
19. Raise the vehicle off of the frame.
20. If replacing the frame, remove the lower control arms. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.

1. If removed, install the lower control arms. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.



2. Lower the vehicle on to the frame.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.




3. Install the front frame bolts and tighten to 155 N·m (114 lb ft).



4. Install the frame reinforcement. Refer to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Reinforcement Replacement.
5. Raise the vehicle off of the J 39580 .



6. Install the lower engine mount bracket to frame bolts (2) and tighten to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).



7. Install the rear transmission mount to frame bolts (1) and tighten to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).



8. Install the left transmission mount lower nuts (1) and tighten to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).



9. Install the front transmission mount thru bolt (1) and tighten to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).



10. Install the power steering gear mounting bolts (1). Refer to Steering Gear Replacement.



11. Install the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement.



12. Install the lower ball joints to the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
13. Install the propeller shaft if the vehicle is equipped with AWD. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
14. Install the catalytic converters. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Left Side and Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side.
15. Install both left and right stabilizer shaft insulator clamps. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Replacement.
16. Install the engine splash shields. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement.
17. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
18. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture.



19. Release the radiator, air conditioning condenser, and fan module assembly from the upper tie bar.
20. Check the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.