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Home › Buick › 2003 › Century Base › Repair and Diagnosis › Body & Frame › Frames, Subframes & Crossmembers › Frame And Underbody › Repair Instructions › Frame Replacement › Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

  1. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to the following procedures:
    • ENGINE SUPPORT FIXTURE  in Engine Mechanical - 3.1 L 
    • 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 AND DEFLECTOR REPLACEMENT - LOWER  in Engine Cooling.
  5. Disconnect the fog lamp electrical connectors and position aside.
  6. Remove the positive battery cable and retainers from the frame and position the cable aside. Refer to BATTERY POSITIVE CABLE REPLACEMENT  in Engine Electrical.
  7. Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe from the frame. Refer to POWER STEERING COOLER PIPE/HOSE REPLACEMENT  in Power Steering System.
  8. Secure the power steering cooler.
  9. Remove the stabilizer shaft links and rotate the stabilizer shaft up in order to gain access to the mounting bolts on the power steering gear. Refer to STABILIZER SHAFT LINK REPLACEMENT  in Front Suspension.
  10. Remove the mounting bolts. Refer to POWER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT  in Power Steering System.
  11. Secure the power steering gear.
  12. Remove the nuts that secure the engine mount to the frame. Refer to the following procedures:
    • ENGINE MOUNT REPLACEMENT  in Engine Mechanical - 3.1 L 
    • ENGINE MOUNT AND BRACKET REPLACEMENT  in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L 
  13. Remove the nuts which secure the transaxle mount to the frame. Refer to Automatic Transmission Mount Replacement   in Automatic Transaxle.
    Fig 1: Removing Transaxle Mount From Frame
    G03383820Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  14. Disconnect both front wheel speed sensor connectors (1), if equipped.
  15. Remove both speed harness retainers (2) from the frame and the lower control arms, if equipped.
  16. Separate both of the lower ball joints from the steering knuckle. Refer to LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT  in Front Suspension.
    Fig 2: Disconnecting Both Front Wheel Speed Sensor Connectors
    G03383821Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  17. Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts J 39580. 
    Fig 3: Identifying Vehicle Frame Contacts J 39580
    G03383822Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  18. Remove and DISCARD the bolts which secure the front frame to the body.
    Fig 4: Removing And Discarding Bolts
    G03383823Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  19. Remove the bolts which secure the rear frame to the body.
  20. Raise the vehicle in order to separate the frame from the body.
  21. If you are replacing the frame, remove the following components:
    • 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 FRAME CUSHION OR INSULATOR REPLACEMENT - FRONT   and to FRAME CUSHION OR INSULATOR REPLACEMENT - REAR  
      Fig 5: Removing Bolts Which Secure Rear Frame To Body
      G03383824Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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