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The cradle is easier (based on the shop that does this type of work for me). You only need to disconnect the upper control arms from the chassis along with brake calipers. The lowers are connected to the cradle.
I pay extra when they work on my car so that I can watch!
1. Is it easier to drop the front cradle so the crankshaft pulley/damper will clear
or
2. Remove the steering rack?
To drop the front cradle I assume the wheels, upper and lower A-arms, etc must also be removed?
Thanks in advance.
I drop the cradle.
-You have to remove the shocks bolts from the top.
-remove the upper arm bolts.
-motor mount bolts
-front sway bar (where it mounts to the cradle)
-steering shaft
-maybe more, I can't remember like the brake lines that are on the cradle but like I said I can't remember.
but you drop the cradle and then you can jack up the motor to give you more room.
-remove 4 bolts to sway bar
-remove bolt for steering shaft and slip off
-remove 4 upper 15mm A arm bolts on each side (notice amount of shims behind arm to put back in when re-installed)
-Support lower control arm with jack
-Remove 2 13mm shock bolts and nuts on each side
-lower jack
-Remove 2 18mm motor mount nuts
-remove 4 21mm nuts that hold cradle to frame, raise car while supporting cradle and engine (some let engine/Torque tube rest on tunnel plate)
You should only have to lower the cradle around 8 inches or so and should not have to disconnect brake lines this way.
If dropping out the bottom.
1. you dont need to remove the motor mount nuts.
2. Alternator needs to be removed
3. A/c lines at compressor have to be removed or drop eng /cradle just enough to dismount compressor.