GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2001 🢒 Prizm 🢒 Transmission/Transaxle 🢒 Automatic Transmission - 3 Speed-MB3 🢒 Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Important: If you are removing the front suspension crossmember in order to gain access to other components, you may remove the front suspension crossmember, the trans support, the 2 lower control arms, and the front stabilizer shaft together as a complete unit.

  1. Install the Engine Support Fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical-1.8 L.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.

    4. Object Number: 328251 Size: SH
  4. Remove the 3 nuts (12, 15, 16) from the crossmember.
  5. Support the crossmember with a jack.

    6. Object Number: 423149 Size: SH
  6. Remove the following components from the bracket studs (3, 7):
    7. • The 2 nuts (4, 6)
    • The front suspension crossmember brace (5)

    Object Number: 327878 Size: SH
  7. Remove the following components from the left control arm:
    8. • The bolt
    • The 2 nuts
  8. Remove the following components from the right control arm:
    9. • The bolt
    • The 2 nuts

    Object Number: 328258 Size: SH
  9. Remove the following components from the right side of the vehicle:
    10. • The 5 bolts (2, 3, 8, 9, 11)
    • The stud (7)

    Object Number: 328251 Size: SH
  10. Remove the following components from the left side of the vehicle:
    11. • The 5 bolts (2, 3, 5, 6, 7)
    • The stud (8)

    Object Number: 428101 Size: SH
  11. Remove the 2 bolts (5, 10) that retain the 2 engine splash shields to the trans support (6).
  12. Remove the 2 bolts (3, 4) that retain the front transaxle mount to the trans support.
  13. Remove the 2 bolts (1, 2) that retain the trans support to the vehicle.
  14. Lower the jack in order to remove the following components together as a unit:
    15. • The front suspension crossmember (7)
    • The trans support (6)
    • The 2 front control arms (8, 9)
    • The front stabilizer shaft, if the vehicle has a front stabilizer shaft

    Object Number: 328258 Size: SH

    Important: If you are replacing the front suspension crossmember or the front control arms, continue with this procedure.

  15. If the vehicle has a front stabilizer shaft, remove the nut (5) and the stabilizer shaft insulator clamp from the right side of the crossmember.
  16. Remove the nut (12) and the control arm bracket (10) from the right side of the crossmember.
  17. If the vehicle has a front stabilizer shaft, remove the 2 nuts in order to separate the stabilizer shaft links from the control arms.
  18. Remove the bolt (1) and the front control arm from the right side of the crossmember.

    19. Object Number: 328251 Size: SH
  19. If the vehicle has a stabilizer shaft, remove the nut (9) and the stabilizer shaft insulator clamp from the left side of the crossmember.
  20. Remove the nut (4) and the control arm bracket from the left side of the crossmember.
  21. Remove the bolt (1) and the front control arm from the left side of the crossmember.
  22. Remove the bolt (13) from the crossmember.
  23. Remove the nut (14) and the trans support from the crossmember.

Installation Procedure

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.


    Object Number: 328251 Size: SH
  1. Install the trans support to the front suspension crossmember. Secure the trans support to the crossmember with the nut (14) and the bolt (13).

    2. Tighten
    Tighten the nut and the bolt to 60 N·m (45 lb ft).

  2. Install the front control arm to the left side of the crossmember. Secure the control arm to the crossmember with the bolt (1). DO NOT tighten the bolt.
  3. If the vehicle has a stabilizer shaft, install the stabilizer shaft link to the left front control arm. Secure the link to the control arm with the nut. DO NOT tighten the nut.
  4. Install the front control arm bracket to the left side of the crossmember. Secure the bracket to the crossmember with the nut (4).

    5. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 19 N·m (14 lb ft).

  5. If the vehicle has a stabilizer shaft, install the front stabilizer shaft insulator clamp to the left side of the crossmember. Secure the clamp to the crossmember with the nut (9).

    6. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 19 N·m (14 lb ft).


    Object Number: 328258 Size: SH
  6. Install the front control arm to the right side of the crossmember. Secure the control arm to the crossmember with the bolt (1). DO NOT tighten bolt.
  7. If the vehicle has a front stabilizer shaft, install the stabilizer shaft link to the right front control arm. Secure the link to the control arm with the nut. DO NOT tighten the nut.
  8. Install the front control arm bracket (10) to the right side of the crossmember. Secure the bracket to the crossmember with the nut (12).

    9. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 19 N·m (14 lb ft).

  9. If the vehicle has a front stabilizer shaft, install the stabilizer shaft insulator clamp to the right side of the crossmember. Secure the clamp to the crossmember with the nut (5).

    10. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 19 N·m (14 lb ft).


    Object Number: 428101 Size: SH
  10. Use a jack in order to raise and support the following components together as a unit:
    11. • The front suspension crossmember (7)
    • The trans support (6)
    • The 2 front control arms (8, 9)
    • The front stabilizer shaft, if the vehicle has a front stabilizer shaft
  11. Install the 2 bolts (1, 2) that secure the trans support to the vehicle. DO NOT tighten the bolts.
  12. Install the 2 bolts (3, 4) that secure the front transaxle mount to the trans support.

    13. Tighten
    Tighten the 2 front transaxle mount bolts to 64 N·m (47 lb ft).

  13. Install the 2 engine splash shield bolts (5, 10) that secure the 2 engine splash shields to the trans support.

    14. Tighten
    Tighten the 2 splash shield bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 423149 Size: SH
  14. Install the 2 studs (3, 7) to the bracket.

    15. Tighten
    Tighten the 2 studs to 147 N·m (109 lb ft).


    Object Number: 328251 Size: SH
  15. Install the 5 bolts (2, 3, 5, 6, 7) on the left side of the vehicle. DO NOT tighten the bolts.

    16. Object Number: 328258 Size: SH
  16. Install the 5 bolts (2, 3, 8, 9, 11) on the right side of the vehicle. DO NOT tighten the bolts.

    17. Object Number: 327878 Size: SH
  17. Install the following to the right front control arm:
    18. • The 2 nuts
    • The bolt

    Tighten
    Tighten the 2 nuts and the bolt to 142 N·m (105 lb ft).

  18. Install the following to the left front control arm:
    19. • The 2 nuts
    • The bolt

    Tighten
    Tighten the 2 nuts and the bolt to 142 N·m (105 lb ft).


    Object Number: 328251 Size: SH
  19. Remove the jack from the crossmember.
  20. Install the 3 nuts (12, 15, 16) to the crossmember.

    21. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 57 N·m (42 lb ft).


    Object Number: 423149 Size: SH
  21. Install the following components to the bracket studs (3, 7):
    22. • The front suspension crossmember brace (5)
    • The 2 nuts (4, 6)

    Tighten
    Tighten the 2 nuts to 69 N·m (51 lb ft).

  22. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  23. Lower the vehicle.

    24. Important: The weight of the vehicle must be on the vehicle's tires.

  24. Raise the vehicle on a drive-on lift or on an alignment rack. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  25. Push down the front bumper 3 times in order to stabilize the suspension.

    26. Object Number: 428101 Size: SH
  26. Torque the 2 bolts (1, 2) that secure the trans support to the vehicle.

    27. Tighten
    Tighten the 2 bolts to 60 N·m (45 lb ft).


    Object Number: 328251 Size: SH
  27. Torque the inner bolt (6) that secures the left control arm and the bracket to the vehicle.

    28. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 175 N·m (129 lb ft).

  28. Torque the front bolt (1) that secures the left control arm to the crossmember.

    29. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 215 N·m (158 lb ft).

  29. Torque the front bolt (2) that secures the crossmember to the vehicle.

    30. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 225 N·m (167 lb ft).

  30. Torque the front bolt (3) that secures the bracket to the vehicle.

    31. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 225 N·m (167 lb ft).

  31. Torque the outer bolt (5) that secures the bracket to the vehicle.

    32. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 147 N·m (109 lb ft).

  32. Torque the rear bolt (7) that secures the bracket to the vehicle.

    33. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 123 N·m (91 lb ft).

  33. If the vehicle has a front stabilizer shaft, use a 5 mm hex wrench in order to hold the left stabilizer shaft link stud. Tighten the nut to the stabilizer shaft link stud.

    34. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 44 N·m (33 lb ft).


    Object Number: 328258 Size: SH
  34. Torque the inner bolt (9) that secures the control arm and the bracket to the right side of the vehicle.

    35. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 175 N·m (129 lb ft).

  35. Torque the front bolt (1) that secures the control arm to the right side of the crossmember.

    36. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 215 N·m (158 lb ft).

  36. Torque the front bolt (2) that secures the crossmember to the vehicle.

    37. Tighten
    Tighten the 2 bolts to 225 N·m (167 lb ft).

  37. Torque the front bolt (3) that secures the bracket to the vehicle.

    38. Tighten
    Tighten the 2 bolts to 225 N·m (167 lb ft).

  38. Torque the outer bolt (11) that secures the bracket to the right side of the vehicle.

    39. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 147 N·m (109 lb ft).

  39. Torque the rear bolt (8) that secures the bracket to the right side of the vehicle.

    40. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 123 N·m (91 lb ft).

  40. If the vehicle has a front stabilizer shaft, use a 5 mm hex wrench in order to hold the right stabilizer shaft link stud. Tighten the nut to the stabilizer shaft link stud.

    41. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 44 N·m (33 lb ft).

  41. Lower the vehicle.
  42. Remove the Engine Support Fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical-1.8 L.
  43. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust the wheel alignment, if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.