- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- ½ inch ratchet and socket set
- 13/16 socket
- 18 mm socket
-Breaker bar
- Extension
- 14 mm socket
- 10 mm, allen key
- Flathead screwdriver
- Oil filter wrench
- Oil drain pan
Instructions:
Step 1: Place your vehicle on jack stands
- Locate your vehicle's pinch welds. These are where the strongest parts of the car's frame meet the undercarriage, just behind the front wheels.
- Place a floor jack under one of the pinch welds and raise it until the tire is just off the ground.
- Place a jack stand under the same pinch weld, so that it supports the vehicle’s weight. Repeat on the other side of the car.
Step 2: Remove the wheels and tires.
- Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels. Remove the lug nuts and then take off the wheels and tires.
Step 3: Remove the skid plate.
- Locate the skid plate under the front of the vehicle. It is held in place by several bolts. Use a socket wrench to remove the bolts and then take off the skid plate.
Step 4: Remove the sway bar end links
- Locate the sway bar end links on the back of the cradle. They're going to be a bolt on either side of the links, and they may require a breaker bar.
Step 5: Disconnect the tie rod ends
- Locate the tie rods at the front of the cradle. They come in from steering rack and connect directly onto the lower control arms. The castle nut on the end usually requires an 18 mm socket. Remove the cotter pin first, then back that nut completely off. Separate the tie rod end from the control arm and swing it out of the way.
Step 6: Remove the transmission lines.
- Locate the transmission lines on the driver’s side of the vehicle. They are connected to the transmission cooler, which is mounted to the front of the cradle. Use a flare-nut wrench to loosen the transmission line fittings and then remove the lines. Remove the torque strut to gain access to the upper transmission line as well.
Step 7: Remove the lower ball joints.
- On the passenger side of the cradle. Disconnect it from the control arms to separate it from the steering knuckles. To do this, insert a pry bar between the control arms and the steering knuckles, and pry them apart.
Step 8: Disconnect the engine mounts
- The front is located at the top/front of the engine, and the rear is located at the back/bottom of the transmission underneath the battery tray.
Step 9: Remove the cradle bolts.
- There will be 4 cradle bolts, two on either side of the subframe. Loosen the bolts that hold the cradle to the frame. They are located towards the front and rear of the cradle on either side. Remove them completely. It may be easier to remove the rear cradle bolts from underneath the vehicle.
Step 10: Remove the cradle.
- With the cradle disconnected from the engine and the frame, and it should slide right out.
Step 11: Install the new engine cradle.
- Follow steps 10-1 in reverse order to install the new engine cradle.
Step 12: Refill the transmission fluid.
- Refill the transmission fluid if removing fluid was necessary. If any other fluid has leaked out, refill as necessary.
Step 13: Test drive the vehicle.
- Once the new engine cradle is installed, test drive the vehicle to make sure it is functioning properly.
