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Home › Saturn › 2007 › Ion Red Line › Repair and Diagnosis › Body & Frame › Frames, Subframes & Crossmembers › Frame And Underbody › Repair Instructions › Frame Replacement › Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

  1. With the wheels in the straight ahead position, remove the key from the ignition switch.
    2. Fig 1: Cooling Module Secured To Upper Body Structure
    GM857193Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  2. Secure the radiator and condenser assembly to the radiator support.
  3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  4. Remove the front wheels from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (4 Lug Wheel) or Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (5 Lug Wheel) .
  5. Remove the left and right splash shields. Refer to Splash Shield Replacement - Engine .
    6. Fig 2: View Of Front Transmission Mount Through Bolt
    GM851568Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  6. Remove the front transaxle mount to cradle through bolt.
    7. Fig 3: View Of Rear Transaxle Mount To Frame Bolts
    GM851572Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  7. Remove the rear transaxle mount to frame bolts.
    8. Fig 4: View Of Stabilizer Link At Stabilizer Shaft
    GM851720Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  8. Remove both stabilizer link to stabilizer shaft nuts. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
    9. Fig 5: View Of Tie Rod End To Steering Knuckle
    GM854972Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  9. Remove both tie rod to steering knuckle nuts.
    10. Fig 6: Separating Outer Tie Rod End From Steering Knuckle
    GM854983Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  10. Use the SA91100C  to separate the outer tie rods from the steering knuckles. See Special Tools .
    11. Fig 7: View Of Intermediate Shaft-To-Steering Gear Pinch Bolt
    GM851655Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  11. Remove the intermediate steering shaft to steering gear pinch bolt and discard.
    12. IMPORTANT: DO NOT rotate the intermediate shaft once separated from the gear. Possible damage or a malfunction could occur.
  12. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.
    13. Fig 8: Identifying Lower Control Arm Ball Stud-To-Steering Knuckle Pinch Bolt
    GM851659Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  13. Remove both lower control arm ball stud to steering knuckle pinch bolts.
    14. NOTE: Do not free the ball stud by using a pickle fork or a wedge-type tool. Damage to the seal or bushing may result.
  14. Lower the lower control arms in order to disengage the steering knuckle. If necessary, use the J 43631  . See Special Tools .
  15. Mark the frame to body position with a paint pen or permanent marker.
    16. Fig 9: View Of Frame Bolts
    GM851651Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  16. Lower the vehicle to about 3 feet off the ground in order to place an hydraulic lift table under the frame.
  17. Use two 2 x 4s between the lift table and the frame and lift the table to the frame.
  18. Slowly remove the frame bolts using the following sequence:
    1. Remove the front frame bolts.
    2. Remove the rear frame bolts.
  19. Slowly lower the lift table to the floor.
  20. Continue with the following steps when replacing the frame:
    1. Remove the steering gear from the frame. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement .
    2. Remove the stabilizer bar from the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
    3. Remove the lower control arms from the frame. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
    4. Remove the radiator brackets from the frame.
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