Removal Procedure
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Install a jackstand under the frame near the rear cage nut that
you are replacing.
- If you are replacing the FRONT cage nut, remove the front impact
bar to gain access. Refer to
Front Bumper Impact Bar Replacement
in Bumpers.
If you are replacing the
REAR cage nut, perform the following steps to gain access.
- Using a small flat-bladed
tool, remove the access panel of the right rear cage nut.
- In order to remove the
access panel of the left rear cage nut, remove the fuel line bracket bolt
and position the fuel lines slightly forward.
- Using a small flat-bladed
tool, remove the access panel of the left rear cage nut.
Caution: Approved safety glasses and gloves should be worn when performing this
procedure to reduce the chance of personal injury.
- Remove the rear frame-to-body bolts.
- In order to break the spot welds free on the rear cage nut retainer,
insert an air-hammer and a 152 mm (6 in) punch or equivalent
through the rear frame insulator and position the air-hammer against the
rear cage nut.
- Hold the air-hammer firmly and apply pressure in order to free
the rear cage nut.
Caution: The edges of the rear cage nut retainer are sharp. In order to avoid
personal injury, use care when removing the rear cage nut from
the access opening.
- Reach into the access opening and carefully raise the
rear cage nut retainer up.
- Remove the rear cage nut.
Installation Procedure
Caution: The edges of the rear cage nut retainer are sharp.In order
to avoid personal injury,use care not to cut your fingers when installing
the rear cage nut into the access opening.
- Install the rear cage nut into the access opening.
- Press the retainer over the rear cage nut in order to hold the
nut in place.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners
must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring
replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant
are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or
corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified.
These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage
the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when
installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
- Loosely install the rear frame bolts through the frame and into the
rear cage nut. Hold the rear cage nut down with your finger in order to start
the rear frame bolt.
Tighten
Tighten the rear frame bolts to 180 N·m (133 lb ft).
- Install the access panel
of the right rear cage nut.
- Install the access panel
of the left rear cage nut.
- If necessary, install
the fuel line bracket bolt.
Tighten
Tighten the fuel line bracket bolt to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).
- Remove the jackstand.
- Install the tires and wheels. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Lower the vehicle.