OEM Dodge Caravan Front Cross-Member

Dodge Caravan Front Cross-Member Parts and Q&A

• Reinforcement, Front
  4694854AB
  Q: How to Service and Repair the Front Cross-Member on Dodge Caravan?

  A:

  You should first check that your front cradle crossmember is installed properly for good front end suspension alignment and, if you removed it, mark the frame rails before starting any service or repairs. Initially, take off the battery negative cable, after which take out the steering column lower cover and knee blocker reinforcement. Before detaching the lower coupling, ensure the steering wheel points straight and do not rotate it afterward, to safeguard the air bag clock spring. Unbolt the clinch bolt attaching the steering column coupling to the steering gear shaft and take the coupling off the telescoping gear shaft. Lift the car and put it on safety stands; then put a drain pan where the Power Steering Pump and oil return hose coupling join. Take hold of the power steering oil return hose using hose pinch-off pliers (C-4390) then, using finger pressure, unscrew the fitting at the cradle crossmember coupling and disconnect the hose from the metal tube. Holding the pressure relief valve nut on the back of the power steering pump, remove the flare nut and then take out the hose, so that any remaining fluid can drain. Take out the bolts from the anti-lock brake sensor leads to the cradle crossmember and stash them separate from the rest of the vehicle. Remove the stabilizer bar links from the ends of the bar and the lower ball joints from the Steering Knuckles. Actually, you should remove the rear Engine Mount heat shield and the through bolt that joins the rear engine mount to the cradle crossmember. Put a line over the shape of the crossmember on the frame rails so you know exactly where to place it back, secure it to a lifting device, then remove the bolts that hold it to the front rails before taking it out of the vehicle. For putting it in place, put the crossmember on a lift, fit it under the vehicle and bolts it loosely to the front rails, making sure it is in the proper position marked before. Fasten the bolts, put the rear engine mount through bolt in and tighten it to 68 N.m (50 ft. lbs.) and attach the rear mount heat shield again. Attach the steering knuckles to the lower ball joints and the stabilizer bar links to both of the stabilizer bar ends. Attach both sensor leads to the crossmember on the cradle, place the high-pressure hose on the pump, fit the return hose to the metal tube and tighten the hose clamp. Take off the pinch-off pliers, make sure the steering is straight and fit the steering column coupling onto the telescoping steering gear shaft, securing it with the clinch bolt. After this, return the knee blocker reinforcement, add the steering column lower cover and secure the negative cable on the battery.
• Reinforcement, Front
  4721277AA
  Q: How to Remove the Front Cross-Member on Dodge Caravan?

  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.