Section 166 (Front Suspension): Cradle: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Subaru Outback and 2016 Subaru Legacy. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Lift up the vehicle, and then remove the front wheels.
Adjust the tilt position of the steering column to the neutral position and the telescopic position to the longest position.
CAUTION: Always place the tilt lever to the lock position after the steering column is adjusted.

Fig 1: Adjusting Steering Column Tilt Position To Neutral Position
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the under cover - front. < Ref. to REMOVAL , Front Under Cover. >
Disconnect the ground terminal from battery sensor. < Ref. to BATTERY , NOTE, Repair Contents. >
Remove the air intake duct. < Ref. to REMOVAL , Air Intake Duct. >
Remove the air intake boot assembly.
- H4 model: < Ref. to REMOVAL , Air Intake Boot. >
- H6 model: < Ref. to REMOVAL , Air Intake Boot. >
Fully open the front hood. < Ref. to FRONT HOOD DAMPER STAY , NOTE, Repair Contents. >
Replace the engine hanger attached to the engine with ST. (H6 model)
1. Remove the engine harness connector.
  
  Fig 2: Locating Engine Harness Connector
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Remove the throttle body from the intake manifold. < Ref. to REMOVAL , Throttle Body. >
  NOTE: Do not disconnect the inlet and outlet hoses of engine coolant.
3. Remove the engine harness connector.
  
  Fig 3: Locating Engine Harness Connector
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the engine harness connector and the engine hanger - rear from the engine hanger - rear.
  
  Fig 4: Locating Engine Harness Connector And Engine Hanger - Rear
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
5. Remove the collector cover bracket.
  
  Fig 5: Locating Collector Cover Bracket Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
6. Replace the engine hanger attached to the engine with ST.
  Preparation tool:
  
  H6 model (ST): HANGER (18360AA020)
  
  Fig 6: Locating Engine Hanger Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Tightening torque:
  
  19 N.m (1.9 kgf-m, 14.0 ft-lb)
Install the ST for the engine hanger to the engine front side. (H4 model)
1. Remove the belt cover.
2. Attach the ST.
  Preparation tool:
  
  H4 model (ST1): BOLT (18363AA050)
  
  H4 model (ST2): HANGER (18360AA040)
  
  Fig 7: Installing Engine Hanger To Engine Front Side
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Tightening torque:
  
  19 N.m (1.9 kgf-m, 14.0 ft-lb)
Suspend the engine using ST, chain sling, and shackle.
1. Set the ST on the vehicle.
  CAUTION:
  - Install the M8 bolt at the locations shown in the figure, and place the front side arms of ST (ENGINE HANGER).
  - Set the arms of ST (ENGINE HANGER) at the locations shown in the figure.
  Preparation tool:
  
  ST1: ENGINE HANGER (99099AJ000)
  
  ST2: CHAIN BALANCER (99099AJ010)
  
  Fig 8: Setting Arms Of ST (Engine Hanger)
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Attach the shackle to the both ends of chain sling.
  CAUTION:
  - Be sure to use chain slings that satisfy the following requirements:
    
    Length: 0.8 - 1 m (2.6 - 3.3 ft)
    
    Load capacity: 1.2 t (2646 lb) or more
    
    Wire diameter: 6 mm (0.24 in) or 6.3 mm (0.25 in)
    
    Internal width: 8.5 mm (0.33 in) or more
    
    External width: 23.5 mm (0.93 in) or less
    
    Fig 9: Attaching Shackle To Both Ends Of Chain Sling
    Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  - Use a shackle with the load capacity of 250 kg (551 lb) or more.
    
    Fig 10: Identifying Shackle
    Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Pass the chain sling through the CHAIN BALANCER and secure the both ends to the hooks on the engine.
  CAUTION: Set the chain sling so that it does not contact the engine parts.
  - H4 model
    
    Fig 11: Securing Both Ends To Hooks On Engine (H4 Model)
    Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  - H6 model
    
    Fig 12: Securing Both Ends To Hooks On Engine (H6 Model)
    Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the nuts connecting the main mount and the transmission mounting bracket.

Fig 13: Locating Nuts Connecting Main Mount And Transmission Mounting Bracket
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the power steering connector.

Fig 14: Locating Power Steering Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the universal joint. < Ref. to REMOVAL , Universal Joint. >
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the universal joint and error of handling force, make sure to remove the universal joint.
Remove the front exhaust pipe.
- H4 model: < Ref. to REMOVAL , Front Exhaust Pipe. >
- H6 model: < Ref. to REMOVAL , Front Exhaust Pipe. >
Remove the stabilizer link assembly. < Ref. to REMOVAL , Front Stabilizer. >
Disconnect the left and right front arms.
1. Remove the nut, and pull out the bolt from the front lower arm.
2. Remove the ball joint from the front lower arm.
  
  Fig 15: Removing Ball Joint From Front Lower Arm
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the left and right tie-rod ends.
1. Pull out the cotter pin (a).
2. Remove the castle nut (b).
3. Extract the tie-rod end (c) from the housing assembly - front axle.
  CAUTION: Use a tool appropriate to the structure, and be careful not to damage the boot of the joint while removing. The boot may be damaged depending on the tool used.
  
  Preparation tool:
  
  Tie-rod ball joint puller
  
  Fig 16: Removing Castle Nut
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Attach the sling belt so that it wraps around the both frames using the shackle.
CAUTION:
- Be sure to attach the sling belt to ensure safety in operation.
- Use a sling belt with the length of 2 m (6.6 ft), the width of 35 - 40 mm (1.38 - 1.57 in) and the load capacity of 1 t (2205 lb) or more.
  
  Fig 17: Identifying Sling Belt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Use a shackle with the load capacity of 0.5 t (1103 lb) or more.
Fig 18: Identifying Shackle
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Fig 19: Attaching Sling Belt Wraps Around Both Frames Using Shackle
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the cradle from the vehicle.
CAUTION: The cradle is heavy. Remove it carefully by paying attention to the balance.
1. Support the cradle with the transmission jack.
  
  Fig 20: Supporting Cradle With Transmission Jack
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Remove the bolt from the front cushion rubber, and remove the bolt securing the front of the cradle.
  
  Fig 21: Locating Bolt From Front Cushion Rubber
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Remove the left and right bolts and nuts.
  
  Fig 22: Locating Left/Right Bolts And Nuts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the cradle from the vehicle.
To remove the stud bolt, use the ST.
CAUTION: Do not remove the stud bolt unless necessary. Always replace the parts with new parts when removed.

Preparation tool:

ST: STUD BOLT SOCKET (20299AG020)

Fig 23: Removing Stud Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.