GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Front Frame Replacement W/AWD

Removal Procedure

  1. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.6L (LY7) or Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.4L.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Remove the front engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  5. Remove the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
  6. Remove the propeller shaft . Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  7. Remove the catalytic converter pipe. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
  8. Remove the power steering gear . Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
  9. Remove the inner fender liner enough to gain access to the front frame bolts. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement in Exterior Trim.
  10. Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe from the pressure hose. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
  11. Disconnect the front wheel speed sensor harness connectors.
  12. Disconnect the front wheel speed sensor wiring harnesses from the lower control arms.
  13. Disconnect the lower control arm from the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement in Front Suspension.

  14. Object Number: 1388664  Size: SH
  15. Use the utility stand in order to raise the frame and powertrain.
  16. Install the frame rear bolts. Refer to Front Frame Replacement .
  17. Remove the utility stand from the frame.
  18. Remove the engine mount nuts.
  19. Remove the transaxle mount nuts.

  20. Object Number: 1388693  Size: SH
  21. Use a utility stand in order to support the powertrain at the transfer case.

  22. Object Number: 478740  Size: SH
  23. Remove frame to body bolts.
  24. Use the utility stand in order to lower the frame and powertrain.
  25. Provide clearance for the frame to pass to the PTU.
  26. Remove the frame from the vehicle. The frame will be around the utility stand.

  27. Object Number: 1388666  Size: SH
  28. Use a transmission stand to support the powertrain.

  29. Object Number: 1388667  Size: SH
  30. Remove the utility stand in order to free the frame from the utility stand.
  31. If you are REPLACING the frame, perform the following steps:
  32. 26.1. Remove the frame insulators from the frame. Refer to Front Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement .
    26.2. Remove the lower control arms from the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
    26.3. Remove the power steering cooler pipes from the frame. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.

Installation Procedure

  1. If you are REPLACING the frame, perform the following steps:
  2. 1.1. Install the power steering cooler pipes to the frame. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
    1.2. Install the lower control arms to the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
    1.3. Install the frame insulators to the frame. Refer to Front Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement .

    Object Number: 1388666  Size: SH
  3. Use a utility stand with the frame around it to support the powertrain.

  4. Object Number: 1388693  Size: SH
  5. Remove the transmission stand from the powertrain.
  6. Install the frame to the vehicle.
  7. Use the utility stand to raise the frame and powertrain.
  8. Important: Ensure that the alignment pins remain installed during the frame installation.

  9. Insert two 19 mm (0.75 in) diameter X  203 mm (8 in) long guide pins or drill bits into the frame right side alignment holes in order to align the frame.
  10. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 478740  Size: SH
  11. Install the frame to chassis front bolts.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 155 N·m (114 lb ft).

  13. Install the frame to chassis rear bolts.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 240 N·m (177 lb ft).

  15. Remove the alignment pins from the frame.
  16. Install the transaxle mount nuts.
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

  18. Install the engine mount nuts.
  19. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

  20. Remove the utility stand from the powertrain.

  21. Object Number: 1388664  Size: SH
  22. Use a utility stand to support the frame.
  23. Remove the rear frame bolts.
  24. Use the utility stand in order to lower the frame and powertrain.
  25. Connect the wheel speed sensor wiring harnesses to the lower control arms.
  26. Connect the wheel speed sensor harness connectors.
  27. Connect the lower control arms to the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement in Front Suspension.
  28. Connect the power steering cooler pipe to the pressure hose. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
  29. Install front fender liner. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement in Exterior Trim.
  30. Install the power steering gear . Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
  31. Install the catalytic converter pipe. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
  32. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  33. Install the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
  34. Install the front engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  35. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  36. Lower the vehicle.
  37. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.4L or Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.6L (LY7).

Front Frame Replacement W/FWD

Tools Required

J 39580 Universal Engine Support Table

Removal Procedure

  1. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.4L or Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.6L (LY7).
  2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Remove the front engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  5. Remove the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
  6. Remove the power steering gear . Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
  7. Remove the inner fender liner enough to gain access to the front frame bolts. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement in Exterior Trim.
  8. Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe from the pressure hose. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
  9. Disconnect the front wheel speed sensor harness connectors.
  10. Disconnect the front wheel speed sensor wiring harnesses from the lower control arms.
  11. Disconnect the lower control arm from the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement in Front Suspension.
  12. Remove the engine mount nuts.
  13. Remove the transaxle mount nuts.

  14. Object Number: 333118  Size: SH
  15. Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts the J 39580 .

  16. Object Number: 478740  Size: SH
  17. Remove frame to body bolts.
  18. Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the vehicle.
  19. If you are REPLACING the frame, perform the following steps:
  20. 17.1. Remove the frame insulators from the frame. Refer to Front Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement .
    17.2. Remove the lower control arms from the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
    17.3. Remove the power steering cooler pipe from the frame. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.

Installation Procedure

  1. If you are REPLACING the frame, perform the following steps:
  2. 1.1. Install the power steering cooler pipe to the frame. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
    1.2. Install the lower control arms to the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
    1.3. Install the frame insulators to the frame. Refer to Front Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement .
  3. Position the J 39580 with the frame under the vehicle.

  4. Object Number: 333118  Size: SH

    Important: Ensure that the power steering cooler line does not become trapped by the engine mount during this step.

  5. Lower the vehicle until the frame is close to the vehicle.
  6. Important: Ensure that the alignment pins remain installed during the frame installation.

  7. Insert two 19 mm (0.75 in) diameter X  203 mm (8 in) long guide pins or drill bits into the frame right side alignment holes in order to align the frame.
  8. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 478740  Size: SH
  9. Install the frame to chassis front bolts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 155 N·m (114 lb ft).

  11. Install the frame to chassis rear bolts.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 240 N·m (177 lb ft).

  13. Remove the alignment pins from the frame.
  14. Install the transaxle mount nuts.
  15. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

  16. Install the engine mount nuts.
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

  18. Connect the lower control arms to the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement in Front Suspension.
  19. Connect the wheel speed sensor wiring harnesses to the lower control arms.
  20. Connect the wheel speed sensor harness connectors.
  21. Connect the power steering cooler pipe to the pressure hose. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
  22. Install front fender liner. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement in Exterior Trim.
  23. Install the power steering gear . Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
  24. Install the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
  25. Install the front engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  26. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  27. Lower the vehicle.
  28. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.4L and Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.6L (LY7).