This vehicle features a unitized body. The body is welded
to the frame and standard frame-to-body mounts are not used.
An engine cradle (crossmember) supports the following assemblies:
| • | The front suspension lower control arms |
| • | The rack and pinion steering mount assembly |
The engine cradle bolts to the body through the rubber insulators at
4 locations. Two rubber insulated struts secure the engine to the upper
rail of the engine compartment front panel. The engine compartment front
panel is a component of the body structure.
The following components share the mounting provisions for the front
suspension system:
| • | The chassis components: |
| - | The suspension lower control arms |
| • | The engine compartment side panels |
The suspension strut towers must be dimensionally correct in relation
to the remainder of the underbody in order to maintain the specified suspension
strut and caster/camber angles.
Perform proper welding techniques during the service repair operations.
The individual underbody components contribute directly to the overall strength
of the body. Properly seal and rustproof the underbody components whenever
the body repair operations destroy or damage the original sealing or rustproofing.
When you rustproof critical underbody components, use one of the following
quality air dry primers:
| • | Corrosion-resistant chromate |
Do not use combination type primer-surfaces.
