Front Subframe: Service and Repair

SUBFRAME - FRONT

Special Tool(s):

NOTE: The front bumper cover and the RH/LH assemblies have been removed for clarity.







Removal

1. Center the steering wheel, remove the ignition key and lock the steering in position.
2. Disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering column coupling shaft.
- Discard the bolt.







3. Remove the front wheels and tires.
4. Remove the lower radiator air deflector.

5. NOTICE: Leave the tie-rod end nuts in place to protect the ball joint studs.

Loosen the tie-rod end nut on both sides.

6. NOTICE: Protect the ball joint seal to prevent damage.

Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle on both sides.
- Remove and discard the tie-rod end nuts.







7. Remove the stabilizer bar link nuts on both sides.
8. Remove the engine support insulator-to-transaxle center bolt.
9. Remove the power steering line retainer bolt from the steering gear.
10. Remove the power steering lines bolt, rotate the power steering line clamp clockwise, and disconnect the 2 power steering lines from the power steering gear.
- Allow the remaining oil to drain into a suitable container.
- Discard the O-ring seals.







11. Using a suitable support table, support the front subframe.

12. NOTICE: Protect the ball joint seal to prevent damage.

NOTE: Separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle as the front subframe is lowered.

Disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the wheel knuckle on both sides.
- Remove the 2 lower arm ball joint heat shields.

13. Remove the 6 subframe bolts.
14. Remove the front subframe.

Installation

1. Using a suitable support table, position and align the front subframe, insert the alignment pins through the front subframe alignment holes and the washers, slide the locking plates on top of the washers and into the groove of the tool and tighten the alignment pin sleeve.
- Raise the front subframe engaging the alignment pins into the chassis aligning holes.







2. Loosely install the 4 subframe lower bolts.
- Tighten to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).

3. Remove the crossmember alignment pins.

4. NOTICE: While tightening the subframe bolts, make sure the front subframe does not move.

Install the 2 subframe upper bolts.
- Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).

5. Remove the support table.

6. NOTICE: Make sure the 2 lower arm ball joint heat shields are installed to prevent damage to the ball joints.

Install the 2 heat shields (1 each side).







7. Position the lower arm ball joint to the wheel knuckle on both sides and install the bolts and nuts.
- Tighten to 63 Nm (46 lb-ft).

8. NOTE: New O-ring seals must be installed any time the lines are disconnected from the steering gear.

Using the special tool, install new O-ring seals (high pressure hose pin, 3F886-AA, return hose pin 3F886- BA) onto the power steering lines.







9. Connect the power steering lines to the power steering gear, rotate the power steering line clamp counterclockwise and install the bolt.
- Tighten to 18 Nm (13 lb-ft).







10. Install the power steering line retainer bolt.
11. Install the engine support insulator-to-transaxle center bolt.
- Tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft).

12. Install the 2 stabilizer bar links and the nuts.
- Tighten to 63 Nm (46 lb-ft).

13. WARNING: Install new tie-rod end nuts. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.

Install the 2 tie-rod ends and the nuts.
- Tighten to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).

14. Install the front wheels and tires.
15. Install the lower radiator air deflector.

16. WARNING: Use a new bolt. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Connect the steering column shaft to the steering column coupling shaft and install the bolt.
- Tighten to 28 Nm (21 lb-ft).







17. Fill and bleed the power steering system.
18. Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.