Stabilizer Bar, Front: Removal
Gas engine shown in the illustration, electric vehicle (BEV) similar.
Before proceeding, refer to FRONT, WARNING .
- Using a steering wheel holder, lock the steering wheel in place to keep it from rotating. This keeps the clockspring in the proper orientation.
- Remove pinch bolt (3) and separate intermediate shaft (2) from steering gear shaft.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING .
- Remove wheel mounting bolts (1), then the tire and wheel assembly.
- Remove the nut (2) and pinch bolt clamping the ball joint stud (1) to the knuckle (3).
- Remove the nut (4) attaching the outer tie rod (5) to the knuckle (3).
- On each side of the steering gear, separate the tie rod end (3) from the knuckle (2) using (special tool #9360, Remover, Ball Joint) (1) or equivalent.
- If equipped, remove the engine belly pan.CAUTION:
Use care when separating the ball joint stud (2) from the knuckle (3), so the ball joint seal does not get cut or compressed excessively.
- Using (special tool #9360, Remover, Ball Joint) (1), separate the ball joint stud (2) from the knuckle (3).
- While holding the stabilizer stud stationary, remove the nut (1) attaching the stabilizer link to the strut. Separate the stabilizer link stud from the strut.
- At each end of the stabilizer bar, while holding the stabilizer bar link lower stud stationary, remove the nut securing the link to the stabilizer bar.
- Remove rear engine mount.
- Remove four bolts (1) and the tunnel support brace (2).
- Remove the right side bolts (1) securing the stabilizer bushing retainers to the crossmember. Discard these bolts, as they have a fastener adhesive on them and are one-time use.
- Remove the left side bolts (1) securing the stabilizer bushing retainers to the crossmember. Discard these bolts, as they have a fastener adhesive on them and are one-time use.NOTE:
The steering gear bolts (2) must be removed before attempting to lower the front crossmember so that the crossmember can be moved rearward to disengage it from the front support beams. If the steering gear mounting bolts are not removed before trying to move the crossmember rearward, the steering gear pinion shaft will hit the body.
- Remove steering gear bolts (2).NOTE:
Before lowering the front suspension crossmember, the location of the crossmember must be marked on the body of the vehicle. Do this so the crossmember can be relocated, upon reinstallation, against the body of vehicle in the same location as before removal. If the front suspension crossmember is not reinstalled in exactly the same location as before removal, the preset front wheel alignment settings (caster and camber) may be lost.
- Mark the location of the front crossmember on the body near each mounting bolt.
- Support the crossmember with a transmission jack.
- Remove the four rear mounting bolts (2) securing the front crossmember to the body.
- Remove the two front bolts (1, 3) securing the front crossmember to the body.
- Move the jack and crossmember rearward to disengage the crossmember from the front support beams.
- Slowly lower the crossmember until there is enough space present to remove the stabilizer bar between the crossmember and the body.
- Remove the stabilizer bar (1) from the crossmember.