GM 9127270
Engine Cradle

To replace the front suspension cross member, start by attaching the engine support fixture (J28467-A) at the lift points and lifting the vehicle without dropping it on the ground. Ensure that the vehicle tipping is firmly held. Univolt the front wheel assemblies, wheel speed sensors, brake wear indicator wires, brake flex hose clips, and hoses off the strut assemblies. Remove the brake caliper assembly bolts from the steering knuckles and support the caliper assemblies in order to avoid damaging them. Then, take out the outer tie rod nuts and use the tie rod/wheel stud puller (J6627-A) in order to pull the outer tie rod ball studs away from the steering knuckles. Remove the pinch bolts on the lower control arm ball stud and the steering knuckles from the lower control arm ball studs, remove the stabilizer shaft link nuts and the links as well. Subsequently, unbolt the engine mount and support the crossmember frame and then unbolt the engine front crossmember frame bolts and lower the frame. For installation, place the front crossmember frame and use new engine front crossmember frame bolts and tighten them such that use of torque/angle meter (J36660-A) value of set torque is achieved. Install the engine mount nuts, stabilizer shaft links, and their nuts adjusting them appropriately. Reattach steering knuckles to the lower control arm ball studs using new pinch bolts and attach the outer tie rods using the linkage installer (J42089) to tighten the tie rod ball studs. Apply new self-locking outer tie rod nuts, and check that the brake caliper assembly is cleaned and coated with locking compound at the time of reassembling the caliper assemblies with the torque/angle meter (J36660-A). Lastly, reconnect the wiring for Wheel Speed Sensor and brake wear indicator wires, brake hoses, and wheel speed sensors, tighten the Wheel Speed Sensor bolts, reinstall the front wheeal assemblies, lower the vehicle, and align the wheels.

To remove the front suspension crossmember, you first attach the engine support fixture (J30977-B) to the engine lift points and lift the vehicle making sure it is supported with jack stands. Remove the front tires and wheels, engine shield, Wheel Speed Sensor from the strut assemblies, brake wear indicator wires and brake flex hose clips, and hoses. Next, unbolt the wheel speed sensors and remove the sensor from the steering knuckles, and then unbolt the brake caliper assembly bolts from the steering knuckles while ensuring that the caliper is supported so that it is not damaged. The inner tie rod nuts need to be removed with the use of tie rod/wheel stud puller (J 6627-A) to separate the inner tie rod ball studs from the steering knuckles. Proceed to take out the lower control arm ball stud pinch bolts and the steering knuckles from the lower control arm ball studs, then take out the stabilizer shaft link nuts and links. Then remove the engine mount nuts, supporting the cross member frame to remove the engine front crosses member frame bolts and lowering the frame. To install the front crossmember frame, mount the front crossmember frame and install new engine front crossmember frame bolts and tighten them using the torque/angle meter (J 36660-A) to corresponding torque values. Mount the engine mount nuts, stabilizer shaft links, as well as nuts for each part, and check them accordingly. Replace the previous pinch bolts without the setscrew weights then reinstall the steering knuckles to the lower control arm ball studs and the outer tie rods using the linkage installer (J 42089) to tighten the slid in taper of the ball studs. Replace new self-locking outer tie rod nuts and clean the brake caliper bolt holes with an m12 x 1.5 tap prior to mounting the calipers using new bolts tightened with the torque / angle meter (J 36660-A). Finally, re-connect Wheel Speed Sensor wiring, brake wear indicator wires, brake hoses, and sensors, Wheel Speed Sensor bolts, engine shield, front tires and wheels, and lower the vehicle, adjusting the wheel alignment if necessary.