OEM 2005 Cadillac XLR Front Cross-Member

2005 Cadillac XLR Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the Front Cross-Member in the suspension on 2005 Cadillac XLR?

  A: Begin front suspension crossmember replacement by supporting the engine using the engine support fixture (J36785-B). Begin by raising the vehicle before supporting it and removing both the tire and wheel assemblies. First separate the electronic suspension control (ESC) sensor links and disconnect the steering linkage outer tie rod end stud nuts from their position. Begin by removing the vehicle's stabilizer shaft followed by disconnecting the intermediate shaft lower coupling from the steering gear. Support and reposition the electronic brake control module/brake pressure modulator valve (EBCM/BPMV) and its bracket by disconnecting bracket bolts so they sit clear of the vehicle crossmember. Lift off the power steering gear from its crossmember position after removing the power steering fluid cooler and gear mounting bolts. Support the gear hanging in place. The transverse spring compressor (J 33432-A) allows technicians to extract the transverse spring from the operating vehicle. First disconnect Shock Absorber bolts holding lower control arms in place followed by removal of all lower Control Arm bolts from the crossmember. Set a transmission jack beneath the crossmember and then uninstall the engine mount lower nuts. The wheel speed sensor wiring harness should be disconnected from the crossmember alongside the electrical harness from clips on the crossmember and the brake pipe from its clips on the crossmember. Begin by removing crossmember mounting nuts then lower the crossmember out of the vehicle. Raise the crossmember onto the vehicle and direct it until the dowel pins fit into frame rails and engine mount studs. Use new crossmember mounting nuts then tighten each one to 81 ft. Lbs. (110 Nm). The engine mount lower nuts receive installation while wheel speed sensor wiring harness retaining clips receive fastening and electrical harness connects to crossmember clips. The transverse spring installation requires both the j 33432-a component connected to the crossmember and the lower Control Arm and shock absorbers should be fitted next before tightening the Shock Absorber lower mounting nuts to 28 nm (21 ft. Lbs.). Fasten the power steering gear to the crossmember using bolts reaching a torque of 100 nm (74 ft. Lbs.). Begin by installing bolts to the brake pressure modulator valve bracket followed by connecting the intermediate shaft to the steering gear and installing the steering linkage outer tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. The electronic suspension control (ESC) sensor links need to be connected while you install the stabilizer shaft before putting back the tire and wheel assemblies. The vehicle should be lowered first while the technicians remove the engine support fixture before completing a vehicle front end alignment.