Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Subframe -- Front With Torque Specifications

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 2: Subframe - Front Components Description Chart (1 Of 2)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 3: Subframe - Front Components Description Chart (2 Of 2)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
Disconnect the battery. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .

Escape Hybrid

Remove the steering gear. For additional information, refer to POWER STEERING .
If equipped with all wheel drive (AWD), remove the rear engine mount bracket.
1. Remove the 2 nuts.
2. Remove the bolt.
  - To install, tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).
3. Remove the rear engine mount bracket.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Rear Engine Mount Bracket
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles except Escape Hybrid

Remove the rear transaxle support insulator. For additional information, refer to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
Remove the power steering hose bracket bolt.
- To install, tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
  
  Fig 5: Identifying Power Steering Hose Bracket Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the special tool, support the engine.

Fig 6: Supporting Engine Using Special Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the bolts and the lateral support crossmember.
- To install, tighten to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).
Remove the splash shield bolt.
Remove the front insulator bolt.
- To install, tighten to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).
Remove the 2 engine support crossmember bolts.
- To install, tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
Remove the nut and the engine support crossmember.
- Discard the nut.
- To install, tighten a new nut to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).
Remove the 2 lower control arm ball joint pinch bolt and nuts.
- To install, tighten to:
  - 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) (vehicles built through 9/2005).
  - 63 Nm (46 lb-ft) (vehicles built after 9/2005).
Remove the 2 nuts and disconnect the 2 stabilizer bar links.
- To install, tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
Remove the 2 steering gear bolts.
- To install, tighten to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).
Position the steering gear out of the subframe mounts.
Remove the exhaust flexible pipe (2.3L) or the dual converter Y-pipe (3.0L). For additional information, refer to EXHAUST SYSTEM .
If equipped with 4WD, remove the driveshaft. For additional information, refer to DRIVESHAFT .

NOTE: The engine must be lowered to allow the front subframe to clear the transaxle companion flange.

If equipped with AWD, use the special tool to lower the rear of the engine approximately 150 mm (5.9 in).

NOTE: Do not allow the front subframe rear bolts to come out of the lower control arm bushing.

NOTE: When installing the front subframe rear bolts, make sure both of the front subframe rear bolts are fully engaged in their cage nuts before tightening to specification.

Loosen the 2 front subframe rear bolts.
- To install, tighten to:
  - 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) (vehicles built through 9/2005).
  - 175 Nm (129 lb-ft) (vehicles built after 9/2005).
Support the front subframe and remove the 2 front subframe nuts.
- To install, tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

All vehicles

NOTE: The lower control arm ball joints must be disconnected from the spindles at the same time the subframe is lowered.

With an assistant, remove the front subframe.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.