Dropping cradle-replacing rack - Third Generation Forum

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Dropping cradle-replacing rack
Tuesday, July 19, 2005 5:20 PM
We have a 2001with a leaking rack. Bought one at the wrecker, but it looks like a major job to put in. Garage says $350 cause the engine cradle has to be dropped. I've jacked it up and and it appears it won't come out without droping the cradle. How big a job is this and how does one go about it. I've rebuilt a 60's mustang so am pretty adept - just never worked on one of these new front wheelers. First problem I've had is the fittings on the new rack - their 18mm - and none of my fitting wrenchs go that big and the parts suppliers don't seem to have them. Car belongs to my daughter - a poor student, would like to save her some money and do it myself.

Thanks for any help.

Re: Dropping cradle-replacing rack
Wednesday, July 20, 2005 4:05 AM
Never did it on a cav before but you will need to support the engine so it does not drop down on you. take off the lower mount if it attatches to the subframe, take the wires off on the rack. Disconect the tie rods on both sides(count the threads to try to get them back in the same place later), make sure nothing is attached to the subframe.
Keep the wheel straight, remove the retainer bolt on the steering linkage.Then just drop it down. Remove it and put the new one on. Raise it back in opposite of what you just did.
Did them on other cars just not a cav so not exactly every little thing you may have to do but that is about it.
On the other hand 350 is not a bad price to get it done. You will need to send it off to alignment when done to make sure that it drives strait and that the steering wheel is leveld out.



Re: Dropping cradle-replacing rack
Friday, July 22, 2005 11:09 AM
it doesn't look too bad. you also need to drop the cradle to put in a different sway bar.

here goes jack it up. make sure the steering wheel is perfactly straight. put a jack under the rear part of the cradle there are 6 bolts you need to remove, 4 at the very rear and 2 one on each side above the axle. now BEFORE you drop the cradle down in the rear there is a 10mm bolt that holds your steering colum to the rack. remove that bolt
and push the colum off the rack. now you can drop the cradle. dont worry in wont fall out its still secured in the front but it will drop down about 4-6 inches which should be plenty room for you tp get the old rack out and slide the new one in. jack the cradle back up in to place but stop about a 1/4 inch short start your frame bolts back in, the
ones over the axle first or it wont line up right. snug them up and then put the bolt back into the colum. you will need blue lock tight. DO NOT USE RED!!! the 10mm could break off if you ever have to remove it again and then you'll need a new colum which would blow. let me know if you need torque specs for the bolts i have that info out in my garage. its not that hard of a job should take you about 2 hours good luck and let me know if you need specs.

btw if i forgot to say so just leave the jack under the frame just to be on the safe side.
also all the bolts get the lock tight.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.



Re: Dropping cradle-replacing rack
Saturday, July 23, 2005 9:49 PM
i did this on my 95 5speed, never dropped the cradle, if it is an auto just remember to support the engine and take your time.

oh, if you dont have a manual pick one up it makes a difference



Re: Dropping cradle-replacing rack
Sunday, July 24, 2005 11:15 AM
If you're not touching the upper engine mount or the transmission... then you don't really need to support the engine/tranny when removing the subframe. The lower mount really only stops the engine from moving forwards and backwards (and it's a piddly little thing, at that)... so removing it for a while isn't going to make the engine fall out.

The passenger side sleeve on the steering rack always gets stuck on the subframe, or so I've been told. Mine did. I had to bend it a bit with a screwdriver.




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Re: Dropping cradle-replacing rack
Thursday, July 28, 2005 6:22 PM
Thanks John - I sent you a pm with a couple questions.
Re: Dropping cradle-replacing rack
Wednesday, August 10, 2005 12:04 AM
if you have new joints for hte ends or are re-using hte old ones, make sure you count how many threads they were screwed in on hte old rack, otherwise, you will have a really hard time getting it to line up right when you bold the rack back to the controll arms.



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