Frame and Underbody: Removal & Installation Cadillac STS I facelift

Removal Procedure

1. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to the following procedures: «Engine Support Fixture»(ref-338139-S01212088222009081700000) for the 4.4L (LC3) engine «Engine Support Fixture»(ref-338139-S01212088222009081700000) for the 4.6L (LH2) engine
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-338130-S15906308302009081700000) .
3. Remove the front wheels. Refer to «Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation»(ref-338140-S19340800482009081700000) .
4. Remove the front air deflector. Refer to «Front Air Deflector Replacement»(ref-338114-S23457007412009081700000) .
5. Disconnect the electrical harness retainers (1) securing the engine harness to the frame.
6. Disconnect the left rearward retainer (1).
7. Disconnect the right rearward retainer (1).
8. Disconnect the antilock brake wiring harness from the lower control arms.
9. Loosen the brake line bracket nut (1).
10. Disconnect the brake lines from the frame.
11. Using mechanics wire (3), support the radiator and AC condenser assembly to the front inner energy absorber bracket bolt (1).
12. Remove the washer bottle bracket nuts and bracket (3).
13. Loosen the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) nuts (1) in order to separate the BPMV (2) from the bracket assembly.
14. Loosen the stabilizer shaft mounting bolts.
15. Remove the lower stabilizer shaft link retaining nut.
16. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm.
17. Remove the power steering pressure hose retaining nut from the air conditioning compressor.
18. Position power steering pressure hose aside.
19. Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts.
20. Using mechanics wire (4), support the power steering gear (3) to the bolt bracket installed in the oil pan.
21. Remove the outer tie rod retaining nut.
22. Using J 24319-B , remove the outer tie rod. See «Special Tools»(ref-338127-S15618705412009081700000) .
23. Remove the lower shock bolts (1).
24. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle and position the knuckle assembly away from the lower control arms. Refer to «Lower Control Arm Replacement (AWD)»(ref-338141-S22304364702009081700000) or «Lower Control Arm Replacement (RWD)»(ref-338141-S25138290152009081700000) .
25. Remove the engine mounts lower retaining nuts (2).
26. Install the J 39580 . See «Special Tools»(ref-338127-S15618705412009081700000) .
27. Lower the vehicle to the frame support table.
28. Remove the frame mounting bolts (2).
29. With the aid of an assistant, carefully raise the body from the frame.
30. Ensure when raising the body, the following items are clear from the frame: The brake pipes The steering knuckle assembly The wheel speed sensor (WSS) electrical harness
31. Remove the lower control arms. Refer to «Lower Control Arm Replacement (AWD)»(ref-338141-S22304364702009081700000) or «Lower Control Arm Replacement (RWD)»(ref-338141-S25138290152009081700000) .
32. Remove the stabilizer shaft. Refer to «Stabilizer Shaft Replacement»(ref-338141-S31030290722009081700000) .
33. With the aid of an assistant, remove the frame from the support fixture.

Installation Procedure

1. Install the lower control arm to the frame. Refer to «Lower Control Arm Replacement (AWD)»(ref-338141-S22304364702009081700000) or «Lower Control Arm Replacement (RWD)»(ref-338141-S25138290152009081700000) .
2. Install the stabilizer shaft to the frame. Refer to «Stabilizer Shaft Replacement»(ref-338141-S31030290722009081700000) . Do not tighten the stabilizer shaft mounting bolts at this time.
3. With the aid of an assistant, position and secure the new frame assembly to the support fixture.
4. With the aid of an assistant, carefully lower the body to the frame.
5. Ensure the following components are clear from the frame: The electrical harness The steering knuckle assembly The brake pipes
6. Install the frame mountings bolts (2) and tighten to 191 N.m (141 lb ft).
7. Raise the vehicle.
8. Install the engine mount lower retaining nuts (2) and tighten to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
9. Remove the J 39580 . See «Special Tools»(ref-338127-S15618705412009081700000) .
10. Remove the mechanics wire (4) supporting the power steering gear (3).
11. Install the power steering gear mounting bolts and tighten to 95 N.m (70 lb ft).
12. Install the ball joint to the steering knuckle.
13. Install the lower ball joint retaining nut and tighten to 20 N.m (15 lb ft) plus an additional 210 degree rotation.
14. Install the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle.
15. Install the outer tie rod to steering knuckle retaining nut and tighten to 70 N.m (52 lb ft).
16. Tighten the stabilizer shaft bolts to 60 N.m (44 lb ft).
17. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arms.
18. Install the stabilizer shaft link nuts and tighten to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
19. Install the lower shock mounting bolts (1) and tighten to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
20. Install the brake pipe connection to the frame with the nuts (1) and tighten to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
21. Install the BPMV nuts (1) and tighten to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
22. Install the washer bottle bracket and nuts (3) and tighten to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
23. Remove the mechanics wire (3) supporting the radiator.
24. Secure the energy absorber bracket nut (1) and tighten to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
25. Install the antilock brake wiring harness to the lower control arms.
26. Secure the right rearward retainer (1).
27. Secure the left rearward retainer (1).
28. Secure the engine electrical harness retainers (1) to the frame.
29. Install the front air deflector. Refer to «Front Air Deflector Replacement»(ref-338114-S23457007412009081700000) .
30. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to «Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation»(ref-338140-S19340800482009081700000) .
31. Lower the vehicle.
32. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to the following procedures: «Engine Support Fixture»(ref-338139-S01212088222009081700000) for the 4.4L (LC3) engine «Engine Support Fixture»(ref-338139-S01212088222009081700000) for the 4.6L (LH2) engine
33. Align the vehicle. Refer to «Wheel Alignment Measurement»(ref-338142-S09726766142009081700000) .

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-338130-S15906308302009081700000) .
2. Remove the rear suspension bracket. Refer to «Rear Suspension Bracket Replacement»(ref-338143-S12039122612009081700000) .
3. Remove the rear wheels. Refer to «Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation»(ref-338140-S19340800482009081700000) .
4. Remove the exhaust system. Refer to «Exhaust System Replacement»(ref-338131-S05393811512009081700000) .
5. Remove the driveshaft from the differential. Refer to «Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (AWD)»(ref-338144-S22580991792009081700000) or «Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (RWD)»(ref-338144-S39823555952009081700000) .
6. Install the support fixture (3), in order to raise the lower control arm to relieve the tension from the shock.
7. Remove the shocks lower mounting bolt (2).
8. Remove the support fixture.
9. Disconnect the electrical connectors for the rear wheel speed sensors (WSSs).
10. Disconnect the retainer clips on the park brake cables for the WSSs wiring harness.
11. Disconnect the rear brake pipe lines (1) forward of the rear wheelhouse.
12. Remove the fastener for the brake pipe bracket (1).
13. Remove the brake pipe bracket (2) from the studs in the body.
14. Disconnect the intermediate park brake cable (2) from the front park brake cable connector.
15. Disconnect the intermediate park brake cable (2) from the rear park brake cable connector (1).
16. Position the frame support table J 39580 . See «Special Tools»(ref-338127-S15618705412009081700000) .
17. Remove the frame to body mounting bolts (4) and washers (3).
18. Carefully raise the vehicle from the rear frame assembly.
19. Remove the following components from the rear frame: «Headlamp Leveling Rear Suspension Height Sensor Replacement»(ref-338126-S34216728262009081700000) «Lower Control Arm Replacement»(ref-338143-S38618084282009081700000) «Upper Control Arm Replacement»(ref-338143-S10867014992009081700000) The rear brake pipes «Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side»(ref-338145-S17223878452009081700000) or «Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side»(ref-338145-S36455633932009081700000) «Stabilizer Shaft Replacement»(ref-338143-S10162711222009081700000) «Adjust Link Replacement»(ref-338143-S24364437412009081700000) «Trailing Arm Replacement»(ref-338143-S30977399372009081700000) «Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement»(ref-338143-S33355589692009081700000) «Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (JE5, JL9)»(ref-338146-S32078645812009081700000) or «Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (J56)»(ref-338146-S33791599132009081700000) «Rear Brake Rotor Replacement»(ref-338146-S08613645992009081700000) «Differential Replacement»(ref-338147-S11879723522009081700000)
20. With the aid from an assistant, remove the frame from the hydraulic jack.

1. With the aid from an assistant, position and secure the new rear frame on the engine support fixture.
2. Install the following components to the rear frame assembly: «Differential Replacement»(ref-338147-S11879723522009081700000) «Rear Brake Rotor Replacement»(ref-338146-S08613645992009081700000) «Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (JE5, JL9)»(ref-338146-S32078645812009081700000) or «Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (J56)»(ref-338146-S33791599132009081700000) «Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement»(ref-338143-S33355589692009081700000) «Trailing Arm Replacement»(ref-338143-S30977399372009081700000) «Adjust Link Replacement»(ref-338143-S24364437412009081700000) «Stabilizer Shaft Replacement»(ref-338143-S10162711222009081700000) «Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side»(ref-338145-S17223878452009081700000) or «Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side»(ref-338145-S36455633932009081700000) The rear brake pipes «Upper Control Arm Replacement»(ref-338143-S10867014992009081700000) «Lower Control Arm Replacement»(ref-338143-S38618084282009081700000) «Headlamp Leveling Rear Suspension Height Sensor Replacement»(ref-338126-S34216728262009081700000)
3. Index the rear coil springs to the spring insulators.
4. Ensure the intermediate park brake cable is positioned over left side frame assembly on the left side.
5. Lower the vehicle to the frame.
6. Position the coil springs (3) to the upper spring insulator (2).
7. Index the rear side frame mounts to the rear locator sleeves (1) located on the body.
8. Lower the vehicle until the frame mounts contact the body rail.
9. Install the rear frame washers (3) and anchor bolts (4). Tighten the front bolts to 265 N.m (195 lb ft). Tighten the rear bolts to 191 N.m (141 lb ft).
10. Raise the vehicle.
11. Remove the J 39580 . See «Special Tools»(ref-338127-S15618705412009081700000) .
12. Install the support fixture (3) in order to raise the lower control arms for ease of lower shock bolt installation (2).
13. Install the lower shock bolt and tighten to 150 N.m (111 lb ft).
14. Repeat the above step for the other side.
15. Remove the support fixture (3).
16. Connect the intermediate park brake cable (2) to the rear park brake cable connector (1).
17. Connect the intermediate park brake cable (2) to the front park brake cable connector.
18. Position the brake pipe bracket (2) to the body studs.
19. Install the brake pipe bracket retaining nuts (1) and tighten to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
20. Connect the rear brake lines (1) at the forward rear wheelhouse and tighten to 15 N.m (11 lb ft).
21. Connect the rear WSS electrical connectors.
22. Secure the electrical harness retainer clips to the park brake cables.
23. Install the rear wheels. Refer to «Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation»(ref-338140-S19340800482009081700000) .
24. Install the rear suspension bracket. Refer to «Rear Suspension Bracket Replacement»(ref-338143-S12039122612009081700000) .
25. Lower the vehicle.
26. Bleed the hydraulic brake system. Refer to «Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Manual)»(ref-338148-S33599853492009081700000) or «Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Pressure)»(ref-338148-S31857848962009081700000) .
27. Align the vehicle. Refer to «Wheel Alignment Measurement»(ref-338142-S09726766142009081700000) .

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-338130-S15906308302009081700000) .
2. Remove and support the exhaust from the catalytic converters. Refer to «Exhaust System Replacement»(ref-338131-S05393811512009081700000) .
3. Remove the transmission mount lower mounting nuts.
4. Support the transmission with a screw jack and block of wood.
5. Remove the outer transmission mounting bolts.
6. Remove the inner transmission mounting bolts.
7. Remove the transmission support from the vehicle.

1. Install the transmission support to the vehicle.
2. Install the inner transmission support mounting bolts. Do not tighten at this time.
3. Install the outer transmission mounting bolts and tighten to 60 N.m (44 lb ft).
4. Remove the screw jack.
5. Install the transmission mount lower mounting nuts and tighten to 60 N.m (44 lb ft).
6. Install the exhaust system to the catalytic converters. Refer to «Exhaust System Replacement»(ref-338131-S05393811512009081700000) .
7. Remove the support from the exhaust system.
8. Lower the vehicle.