OEM Chrysler PT Cruiser Rear Crossmember

Chrysler PT Cruiser Rear Crossmember Parts and Q&A

• Crossmember, Rear
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  Q: How to remove the front cross-member and rear crossmember on Chrysler PT Cruiser?

  A:

  To start, lift the vehicle correctly in order to take out the front suspension crossmember. Get rid the front tire and wheel assemblies and after that, take off both stabilizer bar links by holding the top retainer/nut with a wrench and turning the link bolt. Then, remove the bolts and retainers from the stabilizer bar cushion and take out the bar with cushions. Remove the nut and pinch bolt tightening each ball joint stud to the Steering Knuckle while being careful not to pull outward on the knuckle which may separate the inner c/v joint on the driveshaft. Each ball joint stud can be carefully removed from the steering knuckle when you pry down with your hand against the bottom of the Control Arm and the ball joint boss. Remove the two screws holding the cooler to the front suspension crossmember, so it can be suspended partly outside. Tie the power steering gear to the hood with wire or a bungee cord before lowering the crossmember. Screw out the four bolts attaching the power steering gear to the crossmember, then remove the pencil strut from the right front corner of the crossmember and body, taking out the washer from behind the strut bolt too. Take out the front fascias' screws to get to the fasteners holding the drive-belt splash shield and then remove the splash shield. Get rid of the bolt that fastens the engine torque strut to the right front corner of the front suspension crossmember. Draw a line on the body at the spot where the crossmember was to avoid alignment issues after installation since proper repositioning is important for the wheels. Set a transmission jack beneath the center of the crossmember and lift it to support the transmission. Loose the six bolts that attach the crossmember and lower control arms to the body, but do not touch the lower control arm bushings. Next, drop out the crossmember in front and use tools to unbolt each lower control arm.
• Front Crossmember, Rear
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  Q: How to replace the Front Cross-Member and Rear Crossmember while ensuring proper alignment on Chrysler PT Cruiser?

  A:

  If the crossmember is replaced after a front-impact collision, check the steering column lower coupling for possible damage. Start by connecting the lower Control Arms to the front suspension crossmember and hold them there with the pivot bolts half tight. Lift the crossmember and lower control arms using a transmission jack so they touch the body and frame rails and let the power steering gear slide into its proper place. Insert two crossmember mounting bolts into the lower control arm rear isolator bushings and into the tapping plates, then attach the front and rear bolts to the rails and tighten all six slightly to just hold the part in place with 2 Nm of tension (20 in. lbs.). You should put the crossmember back in the exact place it was taken away to ensure the wheels keep the same alignment. Place the crossmember where the earlier marks suggest, secure it with a soft face hammer and tighten the two crossmember mounting bolts under the lower control arm rear isolator to 250 Nm (185 ft. lbs.), as well as the other four bolts to 153 Nm (120 ft. lbs.). Secure the bottom control arm pivot bolts to 163 Nm (120 ft. lbs.) and then unhook any support for the power steering gear. Attach the steering gear to the crossmember with four tightened bolts to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) and then fasten the cooler in place with two screws at its back. Fit both ball joint studs with their kits into the Steering Knuckle, matching the bolt hole to the notch on each stud and use new pinch bolts and nuts to tighten them to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.). Connect the engine torque strut to the front suspension mount and check the service manual before properly tightening all the strut's bolts. Attach the pencil strut to the crossmember and vehicle body using a washer on the torque strut bolt and tighten the nuts to a torque of 58 Nm (43 ft. lbs.). Now attach the rear of the drive-belt splash shield and fix the fasteners, then fasten the front fascia to the reinforcement. Mount the stabilizer bar with the outboard panels' curves facing up and the cushion slits facing the front of the car. Put the cushion retainers over the raised beads, bolt them in, but don't tighten them all the way yet. Put the bolts through both stabilizer bar links, starting from the bottom and leave the stabilizer bar loose for now. First, mount the tire and wheel assemblies, make sure the wheel mounting nuts reach 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.) and then lower the vehicle afterward. At times, a platform hoist or alignment rack will need to be used to get to the bolts on the curb. Tighten all stabilizer bar link and cushion retainer bolts to 28 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) and then conduct a front wheel alignment check.