Removal Procedure
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Buick LaCrosse and 2008 Buick Allure. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture for the 3.8L engine, Engine Support Fixture for the 3.6L engine, Engine Support Fixture for the 5.3L engine.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
- Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
- Remove and discard the 2 plastic braces from the front of the radiator lower air deflector. The plastic braces are directly below the front cradle bolts.
- Remove the positive battery cable and the retainers from the frame and position aside. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement (LY7) or Battery Positive Cable Replacement (L26) .
- Disconnect any power steering hoses from the frame.
- Secure the power steering return hose.
- Remove the stabilizer shaft links and rotate the stabilizer shaft upward to gain access to the mounting bolts in the power steering gear. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
- Remove the mounting bolts from the power steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
- Secure the power steering gear.
- Remove the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to Engine Front Mount Replacement for the 3.8L engine, Engine Mount Replacement - Right Side for the 3.6L engine, Engine Mount Replacement - Left Side and Engine Mount Replacement - Right Side for the 5.3L engine.
- Remove the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side .
- If applicable, disconnect the front wheel speed sensor harness connectors.
- If applicable, disconnect the wheel speed sensor harness from the frame and lower control arms.
- If applicable, remove the retainers at the front wheel speed harness from the frame and from the lower control arms.
- Separate both of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
- Remove both front drivetrain reinforcements using the following procedure.
- Remove the drivetrain reinforcement to support brace bolts.
- Remove the drivetrain reinforcement to front cradle mounting stud nut.
- Remove the drivetrain reinforcement from the vehicle.
- Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts the J 39580 .
- Remove the bolts which secure the front frame to the body.
- Remove the bolts which secure the rear frame to the body.
- Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the body.
- If you are replacing the frame, remove the following components:
- Both of the lower control arms-Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
- The stabilizer shaft-Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
- The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers-Refer to Front Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement or to Rear Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement .