Front crossmember - removal and refitting

Suspension / Front crossmember - removal and refitting

1 Raise the front of the car, support securely with axle stands placed under the side-members or sill jacking points.

2 Remove the front roadwheels.

3 Unscrew the nuts from the tie-rod end balljoint taper pins and then using a balljoint “splitter” tool disconnect the balljoints from the steering arms on the hub carrier.

4 Unscrew the bolts which hold the inboard track control arms to the body members, and also withdraw the pivot bolt from the body bracket.

5 Support the weight of the engine/ transmission using a hoist or support bar across the top of the engine compartment as described in Chapter 6.

6 Disconnect the lower (central) engine/ transmission flexible mounting from the floor pan.

7 Unscrew the steering rack mounting bolts and remove them. Leave the steering rack hanging loose.

8 Remove the front crossmember mounting bolts and manoeuvre it from the car.

9 Refitting is a reversal of removal. Tighten all nuts and bolts to the specified torque wrench settings and on completion, check the front wheel alignment as described in Chapter 10.

Fig. 11.6 Steering rack mounting bolts (Sec 7)

Fig. 11.7 Front crossmember bolts (Sec 7)