Subframe

REMOVAL

Disconnect the battery.

Vehicle on a 2-post lift.

Remove the wheels.

Disconnect the steering ball joints using tool T. Av. 476.

Remove the cotter pin from the steering knuckle.

Move the wheel arch liners aside without removing them to access the upper subframe-to-side member tie rod bolt, and remove it.

Remove:

• the exhaust downpipe, and tie the catalytic converter aside,
• the bolt (engine side) of the torque rod.
• the gear selector by removing the two bolts at its ends. To do this, it will be necessary to remove the catalytic converter heat shield on one side and the gearbox-side boot on the other.

Remove:

• the two heat shield nuts on the steering gear housing,
• the steering gear housing mounting nuts, and tie it to the exhaust manifold.

Attach tool Mot. 1040-01 under the subframe.

Lower the lift until the tool contacts the floor.

Remove the subframe mounting bolts.

Raise the lift carefully.

INSTALLATION

Always replace the subframe mounting bolts and strictly observe the tightening torques.

Refit in reverse order of removal.

NOTE: refit the subframe to the body as follows:

• fit 2 locating pins in place of the front mounting bolts,
• position the subframe,
• tighten the rear fixing bolts without fully tightening them (start with the longer right rear bolt),
• replace the pins with the front fixing bolts,
• tighten the 4 fixing bolts to torque, starting at the rear,
• refit the heat shields correctly.