Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire and 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove the front fender liners. Refer to FRONT FENDER LINER REPLACEMENT .
Remove the engine strut from the lower engine mount and frame. Refer to ENGINE MOUNT STRUT REPLACEMENT .
Remove the front exhaust pipe. Refer to INTERMEDIATE PIPE REPLACEMENT .
Disconnect the anti-lock brake system (ABS) harness from the lower control arms. Refer to WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT - FRONT .
Remove the ball joints from the steering knuckles. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
Remove the tie rods from the steering knuckles. Refer to TIE ROD END REPLACEMENT - OUTER .

Fig 1: Identifying Front Suspension Crossmember
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
On vehicles with a brake pipe running along the support frame, remove the brake pipe from the retainers.
Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts and secure out of the way using mechanic's wire or equivalent, being sure not to overextend the intermediate shaft. Refer to POWER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) or POWER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) .
Remove the front suspension support brace. Refer to Front Suspension Support Brace Replacement .
Lower the vehicle until the front suspension crossmember rests on jack stands.
Remove the front suspension crossmember mounting bolts.
Raise the vehicle off of the front suspension crossmember.
Remove the following components if replacing the front suspension crossmember:
- The lower control arms - Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
- The power steering gear - Refer to POWER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) or POWER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) .