Removal of Front Subframe

Removal Note: The procedure described below applies to models equipped with power steering. If your vehicle is not equipped with this system, skip all steps related to power steering. · Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels, raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and support it on stands. Remove the front wheels.

• · Remove the cotter pin and the retaining cap of the left wheel hub nut.
• · Ask an assistant to depress the brake pedal to prevent the hub from rotating. Using a socket with a long breaker bar, loosen the hub nut. The nut can also be loosened without an assistant by fabricating a simple tool. The nut is very tight, so be careful and make sure the vehicle does not fall off the stands.
• · Repeat the procedures described in the previous 2 steps on the right side. · For better access, remove the lower splash shield, if equipped.
• · Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod end ball joint stud nut and loosen the nut until it is flush with the end of the stud. Using a puller, press the stud out of the tapered hole in the steering knuckle arm. Then remove the nut completely. Repeat this procedure on the right side.

All models except models with 3S-GE engine

• · Remove the nuts and disconnect the stabilizer bar links from the brackets on the lower control arms. Hold the links from turning with a hex key or a hexagonal wrench.
• · Remove the bolt and two nuts on each side and disconnect the lower suspension ball joints from the lower control arms.
• · Disconnect the return hose from the power steering reservoir and allow the fluid to drain into a suitable container.
• · Clean the area around the power steering pressure and return line fittings on the steering gear housing. Remove the fitting nuts or bolts and remove the gaskets, where equipped. Note that all gaskets must be replaced with new ones during installation.
• · Mark the relative position of the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint and the steering gear pinion shaft for correct reassembly. Remove the universal joint pinch bolt and separate the joint from the pinion shaft.
• · Remove the inlet exhaust pipe and the center muffler section.
• · Remove the power steering return hose from the support bracket above the steering gear.

Hook a hoist or winch hook to the eye on the left end of the engine cylinder head and tension the cable so that it only supports the weight of the engine.

• · From under the vehicle, remove the powertrain support crossmember as follows:

Remove the two mounting bolts and remove the crossmember shield.

Remove all wire and tube brackets and clips from the crossmember (as applicable).

Remove the plugs and remove the three bolts securing the front powertrain mount to the crossmember.

Remove the plug and remove the bolt securing the front powertrain mount to the crossmember.

On models with air conditioning, remove the mounting bolt and release the air conditioning tube clamp.

Remove the four mounting bolts and remove the crossmember.

• · Remove the bolt securing the power steering cooler bracket.
• · Remove the nut and the through bolt of the rear powertrain mount.
• · Support the subframe from below with a jack.
• · Remove the subframe mounting bolts and nuts and slowly lower the subframe with the steering gear and suspension arm assemblies onto a work surface. Remove the assembly from under the vehicle for further disassembly.