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View Full Version : front suspension crossmember replacement?

VLOWS13
07-31-2003, 10:12 PM
Can anyone tell me how to do this? The Chiltons I have doesn't explain it too well, I am wondering since the engine mounts are sitting on the crossmember how would I take it off? I need to replace mine because it's bent :mad:
thx247
07-31-2003, 11:28 PM
you cant just use a engine hoist and hold the engine in place while you replace the cross member?
VLOWS13
07-31-2003, 11:36 PM
I don't know? I haven't tried it, I wanted to post here to see if anyone has done it before so they can tell me which way they did it instead of trying it for myself and finding out the hard way if it didn't work.
deviousKA
07-31-2003, 11:37 PM
you have to lift or support the engine. the steering rack must be removed as well as ps lines. leave the motor mounts on the engine while you pull it out. then loosen one on the engine so that you can wiggle the new crossmember in
VLOWS13
07-31-2003, 11:45 PM
oh hell that sounds like a lot of work...but I do have an engine lift. Can you tell me how to remove the steering rack?
Yoshi
07-31-2003, 11:58 PM
I've done it too, Devious hit it dead on. get it on jacks, get a cherry picker, support the engine. Once it's up in the air, it'll all look very straight forward.
deviousKA
08-01-2003, 12:09 AM
you also have to remove the 4 large bolts to the chassis as well as lca bolts. if you can find the steering rack you can remove it
VLOWS13
08-01-2003, 12:13 AM
great! thanks guys, i will do this as soon as i find a new one. anyone have any idea how much a used one would go for? i'm thinking less than $40?
the head
08-01-2003, 07:56 AM
i have an extra i think from my front clip it is scraped on the bottom but not bent at all but i would not be able to ship it out for two weeks or so
Johny5
08-01-2003, 10:20 AM
Man wth? cherry picker? I used a simple floor jack where the motor touched the tranny. From there on its all visual bolts, just make sure you remember where they all go, same follows for all projects on these damn cars. While you're down there, check tie rod bushings, leaking inner tie rod boots, ball joints, etc. I ended up replacing my LCA's, inner/outter tie rods/tie rod boots, tension rod bracket, tension rod bushings. Suspension felt so unsloppy after that :cool: