OEM Chrysler Town & Country Front Cross-Member

Chrysler Town & Country Front Cross-Member Parts and Q&A

• Engine Cradle, Front
  5085819AJ
  Q: How Is the Front Cross-Member Installed and Aligned During Service and Repair on Chrysler Town & Country?

  A:

  Place the crossmember in the center of the transmission jack which should be at the right working height and fix it. Before you begin, thoroughly check the cushions for signs of extreme wear, cracks, damage and distortion and replace any that don't pass inspection. The bar should be in place, with the ends coming under the steering gear tie rods. Attach the stabilizer bar to the crossmember, drop the stabilizer bushing retainers over the bar cushions and tighten all four screws in each retainer to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.). Raise the front suspension crossmember as high as possible, place each lower Control Arm into the brackets on the crossmember and install the entire setup. Secure each lower control arm to the chassis by putting in the front and rear bolts. Next, tighten the rear connection to 155 Nm (114 ft. lbs.), but leave the front side loose first. Keep moving the crossmember into place, make sure the mounting holes are correct and slide the front crossmember support brackets over the rear bushings and rail, installing but not tightening the bolts. Screw in all four crossmember bolts on the vehicle, steering clear of tightening them, then line up the crossmember under the body using a soft face hammer and tighten the bolts to 163 Nm (120 ft. lbs.). Secure the support bracket mounting bolts using 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) and take out the transmission jack after that. Place the left front brake flex hose bracket onto the frame rail and add the mounting screw. Position the steering gear mounting bosses on the center of the holes in the crossmember and use two bolts to secure them to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.). Bring the routing clamp for the power steering pressure hose to the rear of the crossmember, tighten the screw to 8 Nm (71 in. lbs.) and then do the same for the power steering return hose routing clamp on the rear of the ABS ICU mounting bracket. Set the rear Engine Mount into place, lay the heat shield on top of the steering gear, attach them with screws and push-pins and tighten the screws to 8 Nm (71 in. lbs.). Set the fore-aft crossmember in its proper position in the engine compartment, screw in the mounting bolts and tighten the front bolt to 113 Nm (83 ft. lbs.); the rear bolts should be tightened to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.). Fasten the front engine mount thru-bolt, making sure it's tight to 57 Nm (42 ft. lbs.) and fit the stabilizer bar link at the ends of the stabilizer bar by tightening the nuts to 88 Nm (65 ft. lbs.) and securing the stationary stabilizer bar link lower stud by hand. Replace the hub nuts on each halfshaft stub shaft and tighten them to 160 Nm (118 ft. lbs.) with the brakes engaged. Lift the car and set the wheel and tire onto each side with the wheel mounting nuts tightened to 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.). Attach the ABS ICU bracket to the left forward support arm of the crossmember using screws tightened to a force of 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.). Have the vehicle set on a rack or hoist, lifting it enough to reach the lower control arm bolts under the car and then at curb height, tighten the lower control arm bolts at the front to 155 Nm (114 ft. lbs.). After that, check and correct the wheel alignment.
• Reinforcement, Front
  4721277AA
  Q: How to Remove the Front Cross-Member on Chrysler Town & Country?

  A:

  Before detaching the front cradle crossmember, first take off the negative cable from the battery, then the lower cover from the steering column and the cover backing plate. Place the steering so that the front wheels point forward without turning it after removing the lower coupling from the steering gear to protect the air bag Clock Spring. After that, unfasten the clinch bolt holding the steering column coupling to the steering gear shaft and detach the coupling from the telescopic part of the steering gear. Heavy-lift the vehicle onto safety stands, then set a drain pan at the bottom of the Power Steering Pump and the oil return hose already installed. Turn off power steering oil using hose pinch-off pliers, then slide off the return hose from where it is clipped between the crossmember and the pump and remove the hose clamp below the cradle. After holding the pressure relief valve nut, loosen the flare nut on the back of the pump and take the high-pressure hose off, so the fluid runs into the pan. Lift the anti-lock brake sensor leads from the cradle crossmember and put them aside where they won't interfere. Take out the stabilizer bar links at the bar's ends and separate the lower ball joints from the Steering Knuckles. Take off the heat shield at the rear engine mount and free the bolt that connects it to the cradle crossmember. Use paint or a grease pencil to make marks on the frame rail for where the cradle crossmember will be, set the cradle crossmember on a lifting device and then detach the bolts securing the crossmember to the front frame rails before you remove it from the vehicle.