Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Removal Procedure
- Release the tension on the park brake cables. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Adjuster Disabling .
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
.NOTE:
Vehicle alignment is not required if the cradle is being lowered or dropped to perform another procedure. This vehicle is equipped with a cradle to body aligning feature: cradle to body through holes or self aligning pins that are part of the cradle or body. Only align if replacing with a NEW part and transferring components.
- Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.
- Remove the rear underbody side rail cross braces. Refer to Underbody Side Rail Cross Brace Replacement (Rear) Underbody Side Rail Cross Brace Replacement (Front) .
Assemble the J 42055 drivetrain support fixture (1) with the rubber pads (2) facing outward.
- Use four 1/2 - 13 UNC X 1-3/4 inch long bolts and approximately 7/8 inch of washers (4) to space the support panels (3) to fit the transmission pan rail.
- Test fit the support fixture (1) to be sure the pan rail is fully supported, adjust washers as necessary to fit. After the fixture is adjusted, install to a transmission jack.
Assemble the J 42055 drivetrain support fixture and install it to a transmission jack.
- Position and firmly secure the J 42055 drivetrain support fixture with the transmission jack to the transmission. Support the transmission.
If equipped with electronic rear suspension sensors, disconnect the electronic suspension sensor link (1).
Remove the fastener (1) that secures the brake hose and wheel speed sensor bracket (2), to the rear crossmember.
Disconnect the left side transmission harness retainers (1) from the rear crossmember.
- NOTE:
Seperate the park brake cables from the front park brake cable equalizer and brackets. Leave the cables attached to the parking brake actuators at the knuckles.
Using the CH-37043 Parking Brake Cable Release Tool, disconnect the right park brake cable from the cable connector.
- Using the CH-37043 Parking Brake Cable Release Tool, disconnect the left park brake cable from the cable equalizer.
- If replacing the crossmember, remove the park brake cable bracket fasteners (1).
- Using mechanics wire, secure the front park brake cable away from the rear crossmember.
Remove the stabilizer bar fasteners (1) and remove the stabilizer bar (2) from the rear crossmember.
Remove the right side transmission harness retainers (2) and the brake pipe retainers (1), from the rear crossmember.
Remove the rear wheel drive shafts. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement ..
- Disconnect the lower shock mounting bolts.
- Place a jack stand under the lower control arm and disconnect the lower control arm ball stud from the knuckle. Refer to Knuckle Replacement (without J55)Knuckle Replacement (with J55) .
- Slowly lower the jack stand and remove.
- NOTE:
Rear spring and lower control arms will come down with the crossmember. Transfer parts to NEW cradle if it is replaced.
Using HAND TOOLS ONLY, remove the lower transmission mount-to-lower rear suspension crossmember fasteners (1).
- Position a transmission jack under the rear crossmember and firmly secure the rear crossmember to the jack. Support the rear crossmember.
- Using HAND TOOLS ONLY, remove the rear crossmember mounting bolts (2).
- Remove the rear crossmember (3) from the vehicle.
- Remove the rear spring. Refer to Rear Spring Replacement .
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.