OEM Cadillac Catera Front Cross-Member

Cadillac Catera Front Cross-Member Parts and Q&A

• Engine Cradle
  9127270
  Q: How to replace the Front Cross-Member on Cadillac Catera?

  A:

  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.