GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 39580 Universal Engine Support Table

Removal Procedure

  1. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.4L or in Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Remove the radiator lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle Assemblies and Deflectors in Engine Cooling.
  5. Remove the positive battery cable retainers and position the positive battery cable aside. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  6. Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe from the frame. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
  7. Secure the power steering cooler to the exhaust pipe.
  8. Remove the stabilizer shaft links and rotate the stabilizer shaft up to gain access to the power steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
  9. Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.

  10. Object Number: 378919  Size: SH
  11. Secure the power steering gear.
  12. Remove the engine mount-to-frame nuts. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement in Engine Mechanical 3.4L or Engine Mount and Bracket Replacement in Engine Mechanical 3.8L.
  13. Remove the transaxle mount-to-frame nuts. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle-4T65-E.

  14. Object Number: 460829  Size: SH
  15. Disconnect both front wheel speed sensor connectors (1).
  16. Remove both front wheel speed harness retainers (2) from the frame and the lower control arms.
  17. Separate both of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement in Front Suspension.

  18. Object Number: 333118  Size: SH
  19. Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts the J 39580 .

  20. Object Number: 540167  Size: SH
  21. Remove and DISCARD the front frame-to-body bolts.

  22. Object Number: 540082  Size: SH
  23. Remove and DISCARD the rear frame-to-body bolts.
  24. Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the body.
  25. If you are replacing the frame, remove the following components:
  26. • Both of the lower control arms
    • Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
    • The stabilizer shaft
    • Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
    • The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers
    • Refer to Front Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement and to Rear Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement .

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 540082  Size: SH
  1. If you are replacing the frame, install the following components:
  2. • Both of the lower control arms. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
    • The stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Front Suspension.
    • The spacers, the upper insulator, the lower insulator, and the retainers. Refer to Front Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement and to Rear Frame Cushion or Insulator Replacement .

    Object Number: 333118  Size: SH
  3. Position the engine support table with the frame under the vehicle.
  4. Lower the vehicle to the frame.

  5. Object Number: 540082  Size: SH
  6. Loosely install the NEW rear frame-to-body bolts.

  7. Object Number: 540167  Size: SH
  8. Loosely install the NEW front and rear frame-to-body bolts.
  9. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  10. Align the frame to the body by inserting two 19 X 203 mm (0.74 X 8.0 in) pins in the alignment holes on the right side of the frame.
  11. Tighten

        • Tighten the new front frame bolts to 160 N·m (118 lb ft).
        • Tighten the new rear frame bolts to 165 N·m (122 lb ft).
  12. Connect both the lower ball joints to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement in Front Suspension.
  13. Install the engine mount-to-frame nuts. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.4L or to Engine Mount and Bracket Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L.
  14. Install the transaxle mount-to-frame nuts. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement in Automatic Transaxle-4T65-E.
  15. Remove the power steering gear from the exhaust pipe and position to the frame.
  16. Install the steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
  17. Install the stabilizer shaft links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.

  18. Object Number: 460829  Size: SH
  19. Connect both front wheel speed sensor connectors (1).
  20. Install both front wheel speed harness retainers (2) to the frame and the lower control arm.
  21. Install the positive battery cable. Refer to Battery Positive Cable Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  22. Install the power steering cooler pipe. Refer to Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement in Power Steering System.
  23. Install the radiator lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle Assemblies and Deflectors in Engine Cooling.
  24. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  25. Lower the vehicle.
  26. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.4L or to Engine Support Fixture Engine Mechanical - 3.8L.
  27. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.