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Frame & Underbody: Removal & Installation Saturn VUE I

Frames, Subframes & Crossmembers 2 illustrations ~1372 words

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-188813-S15240900572005090200000)
  2. Use the utility stand at the rear cross member of the frame to support the frame.
  3. Remove the reinforcement bolts (3).
  4. Remove the rear frame to body bolts (2). DISCARD the bolts.
  5. Remove the reinforcement (1) from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

  1. Position the reinforcement (1) to the vehicle.
  2. Loosely install NEW rear frame to body bolts (2).
  3. Loosely install the reinforcement bolts (3).
  4. Tighten the reinforcement bolts (3). Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
  5. Tighten the frame to body bolts (2). Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 155 N.m (114 lb ft).
  6. Remove the utility stand from the frame.
  7. Lower the vehicle.

Frame Replacement (L61)

Tools Required

  1. J 43828 Ball Joint Remover. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  2. SA9140E Torque Angle Gage. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  1. Secure the radiator to the upper radiator support.
  2. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to «Engine Support Fixture»(ref-188814-S13211755102005090200000) in Engine Mechanical - 2.2L.
  3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-188813-S15240900572005090200000) in General Information.
  4. Remove the front wheels. Refer to «Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation»(ref-188815-S07973846162005090200000) in Tires and wheels.
  5. Remove the side splash shield-to-frame fasteners.
  6. Remove the front air dam-to-frame fasteners.
  7. Remove the rear transaxle mount-to-frame bolts.
  8. Remove the front transaxle mount through bolt.
  9. Remove the steering gear-to-frame bolts.
  10. Using mechanics wire, secure the steering gear to the exhaust.
  11. Remove the stabilizer shaft clamp-to-frame bolts.
  12. Remove the lower ball joint cotter pins. Discard the cotter pins.
  13. Loosen the lower ball joint castle nut until the nut is level with the top of the ball stud.
  14. Using the J 43828 , separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  15. Remove the frame-to-body bolts. Discard the bolts.
  16. Carefully lower the frame from the vehicle.
  17. Remove the lower control arms. Refer to «Lower Control Arm Replacement»(ref-188816-S10161759672005090200000) in Front Suspension.
  1. Install the lower control arms. Refer to «Lower Control Arm Replacement»(ref-188816-S10161759672005090200000) in Front Suspension.
  2. Raise the frame to the body.
  3. Loosely install new frame-to-body bolts.
  4. Connect the ball joint stud to the steering knuckle.
  5. Using the SA9140E , install the ball stud castle nut. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) . Tighten: Tighten the nut to 10 N.m (89 lb in) + 180 degrees.
  6. Continue to tighten the castle nut to align the slots with the opening in the ball stud and install the ball stud cotter pin.
  7. Remove the mechanics wire and install the steering gear to the frame. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 110 N.m (81 lb ft).
  8. Install the front transaxle mount through bolt. Tighten: Tighten the bolt to 110 N.m (81 lb ft).
  9. Install the rear transaxle mount-to-frame bolts. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
  10. Install the stabilizer shaft clamp. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
  11. Tighten the frame-to-body bolts. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 155 N.m (114 lb ft).
  12. Install the front air dam fasteners.
  13. Install the side splash shield-to-frame fasteners.
  14. Install the front wheels. Refer to «Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation»(ref-188815-S07973846162005090200000) in Tires and Wheels.
  15. Lower the vehicle.
  16. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to «Engine Support Fixture»(ref-188814-S13211755102005090200000) in Engine Mechanical - 2.2L.
  17. Unsecure the radiator from the upper radiator support.
  18. Align the front suspension. Refer to «Front Toe Adjustment»(ref-188817-S24220345422005090200000) .

Frame Replacement (L66)

Tools Required

  1. J 43828 Ball Joint Remover. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  2. SA9140E Torque Angle Gage. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  1. Tie the radiator, air conditioning condenser, and fan module assembly to the upper radiator support to keep the assembly with the vehicle when the frame is lowered.
  2. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to «Engine Support Fixture»(ref-188818-S20851670772005090200000) in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
  3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-188813-S15240900572005090200000) in General Information.
  4. Remove the front wheels. Refer to «Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation»(ref-188815-S07973846162005090200000) in Tires and wheels.
  5. Remove the side splash shield-to-frame fasteners.
  6. Remove the front air dam-to-frame fasteners.
  7. Remove the rear transmission mount-to-frame bolts.
  8. Remove the front transmission mount-to-frame bolts.
  9. Remove the steering gear-to-frame bolts.
  10. Using mechanics wire, secure the steering gear to the exhaust.
  11. Remove the stabilizer shaft clamp-to-frame bolts.
  12. Remove the lower ball joint cotter pins. Discard the cotter pins.
  13. Loosen the lower ball joint castle nut until the nut is level with the top of the ball stud.
  14. Using the J 43828 , separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  15. Remove the reinforcement bolts (3).
  16. Remove the rear frame to body bolts (2). DISCARD the bolts.
  17. Remove the reinforcement (1) from the vehicle.
  18. Remove the front frame-to-body bolts. DISCARD the bolts.
  19. Carefully lower the frame from the vehicle.
  20. Remove the lower control arms. Refer to «Lower Control Arm Replacement»(ref-188816-S10161759672005090200000) in Front Suspension.
  1. Install the lower control arms. Refer to «Lower Control Arm Replacement»(ref-188816-S10161759672005090200000) in Front Suspension.
  2. Raise the frame to the body.
  3. Loosely install NEW front frame-to-body bolts.
  4. Position the reinforcement (1) to the vehicle.
  5. Loosely install NEW rear frame to body bolts (2).
  6. Loosely install the reinforcement bolts (3).
  7. Connect the ball joint stud to the steering knuckle.
  8. Using the SA9140E , install the ball stud castle nut. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) . Tighten: Tighten the nut to 10 N.m (89 lb in) plus 180 degrees.
  9. Continue to tighten the castle nut to align the slots with the opening in the ball stud and install the ball stud cotter pin.
  10. Remove the mechanics wire and install the steering gear to the frame. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 110 N.m (81 lb ft).
  11. Install the transmission mount-to-frame bolts. Tighten: Tighten the bolt to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
  12. Install the rear transmission mount-to-frame bolts. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
  13. Install the stabilizer shaft clamp. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
  14. Tighten the frame-to-body reinforcement bolts (3). Tighten: Tighten the bolts (3) to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
  15. Tighten the frame-to-body bolts. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 155 N.m (114 lb ft).
  16. Install the front air dam fasteners.
  17. Install the side splash shield-to-frame fasteners.
  18. Install the front wheels. Refer to «Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation»(ref-188815-S07973846162005090200000) in Tires and Wheels.
  19. Lower the vehicle.
  20. Remove the engine support fixture.
  21. Untie the radiator, air conditioning condenser, and fan module assembly from the upper radiator support.
  22. Align the front suspension. Refer to «Front Toe Adjustment»(ref-188817-S24220345422005090200000) in Wheel Alignment.
  1. Remove the frame from the vehicle. Refer to «Frame Replacement (L61)»(ref-188812-S24581244232005090200000) or «Frame Replacement (L66)»(ref-188812-S09436621842005090200000) .
  2. Install the CH-47672 to the frame insulator that you are removing as shown. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  3. Use the CH-47672 to remove the frame insulator from the frame. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  1. Clean the frame insulator opening.
  2. Apply thin coat of rubber lubricant GM P/N 1051717 (Canadian P/N 5728223), or equivalent to the inside of the frame insulator opening.
  3. Apply thin coat of rubber lubricant GM P/N 1051717 (Canadian P/N 5728223), or equivalent to the inside of the frame insulator.
  4. Install the frame insulator to the front frame opening with the alignment tabs facing up.
  5. Use the CH-47672 to install the frame insulator to the frame. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  6. Remove the CH-47672 from the frame. See «Special Tools and Equipment»(ref-188812-S04504859472005090200000) .
  7. Install the frame to the vehicle. Refer to «Frame Replacement (L61)»(ref-188812-S24581244232005090200000) or «Frame Replacement (L66)»(ref-188812-S09436621842005090200000) .

Scheme 1

Scheme 1: Datum Description
Scheme 1: Datum Description

A datum is an imaginary horizontal plane that runs below and parallel to the vehicle. Height dimensions are calculated at right angles from the datum to the given control or reference points on the underbody.

The company that develops height dimensions determines the location of the datum based on the equipment being used. Therefore, different datum lines are established for the same vehicle. You can add or subtract an equal amount from all height dimensions and create a new datum line for your usage.

Scheme 2

Scheme 2: Plane
Scheme 2: Plane

A centerline is an imaginary vertical plane that is perpendicular to the length of the datum plane through the center of the vehicle. The centerline is any line drawn through the center of the vehicle's datum. The symbol for centerline is CL.

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