How do I replace a engine front cradle? What tools would I need to have access to?

(391) Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor
Inside the transmission behind side cover
Removal Procedure
Remove the case side cover. Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement .

Important: Lock steering wheel in centered position with wheels straight ahead.
Remove the engine dress cover.
Remove the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.1L or Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.8L.
Remove the engine mount struts. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L or Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Right Side and Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Left Side in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L.
Important: For supercharged engines, remove the throttle cable bracket.
Disconnect the shift cable bracket.
Remove the transaxle top side cover bolt.
Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L or Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L.
Disconnect the transmission wiring harness connector.
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Remove the left front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
Remove the left inner splash shield 3 push pins.
Loosen the wheel speed sensor harness from the 5 retainers at the cradle.
Remove the transmission support to cradle nuts only. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement .
Raise the vehicle.
Remove the front splash shield 5 bolts.
Loosen the engine mount lower nuts. Refer to Engine Mount Bracket Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L or Engine Mount and Bracket Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L.
Remove the stabilizer bolts and reposition the stabilizer.
Remove the steering gear cradle bolts, then support gear before lowering cradle.
Support the left side of the frame with a jackstand.
Remove the left side frame bolts. DO NOT loosen the right front or the right rear frame bolts. Refer to Frame Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
Remove the left ball joint from the steering knuckle.
Position the drain pan under the transaxle.
Remove the left drive axle from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Drive Axle.
Secure the drive axle to the steering knuckle/strut.
Adjust the jackstand to lower the left side of the frame until it hangs free. Remove jack stand.
Lower vehicle to access engine support fixture.
Lower the engine/transmission assembly with the engine support fixture to gain access to remaining side cover bolts.
If replacing the side cover, remove 4 engine mount bracket bolts.
Remove the harness retainer.
Raise vehicle to access side cover bolts.
Remove the case side cover bolts (56-58).
Remove the case side cover pan (53).
Remove the case side cover gasket (54).
Clean the case.
Clean the side cover gasket mating surfaces.

Disconnect the wiring harness assembly from the fluid temperature sensor (391).
Remove the fluid temperature sensor (391).
Installation Procedure
Install the fluid temperature sensor (391).
Connect the wiring harness assembly to the with fluid temperature sensor (391).
Install the case side cover. Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement .
Important: It is recommended that transmission adaptive pressure (TAP) information be reset. Resetting the TAP values using a scan tool will erase all learned values in all cells. As a result, The ECM, PCM or TCM will need to relearn TAP values. Transmission performance may be affected as new TAP values are learned.
Reset the TAP values. Refer to Transmission Adaptive Functions .

if it is a unibody then it will have an engine cradle or sub-frame that supports the engine and transmission. If you plan on replacing the subframe you will need to support the engine and transmission from the top side with an engine support fixture.






Subframe/cradle





I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

1st thing you need to do is have the engine secured with an engine brace bar across top of engine with chains, next lift car in air high enough to get under it, next disconnect exhaust from down pipe, remove bolts from engine mounting brackets should be at least 2 one in front and one in rear,next disconnect power steering rack bolts out, they will be in the rear of the engine, next take the remaining cradle bolts out should be 19 or 21mm bolts, or somewhere in that size range, there should be 4 ouf them on each corner of the cradle. cradle is now out. hope this helps

The truck doesn't have a seperate engine cradle the engine mounts directly to the frame to brackets that are welded on.

Hi there:
Check this procedure on 4.6L Engine (except Seville)...

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the cover from the headlamps and radiator shroud.
3. Remove the air cleaner, if necessary.
4. Disconnect the left engine torque strut from the radiator support.
5. Disconnect the upper trans oil cooler line from the trans cooler.
6. Remove the right cooling fan and the left cooling fan.
7. Remove the serpentine belt from the generator pulley.
8. Remove the bolt from the front top of the generator, and the bolt from the lower front of the generator.
9. Detach the harness connector and output cable from the generator.

NOTEThe bolt nearest the exhaust manifold cannot be removed from the bracket but can be backed out to allow for removal of the generator.

1. Removal the A/C splash shield from the cradle, and the access panel from the bottom side of the radiator support.
2. Disconnect the engine harness from the cradle.

NOTEThe generator can be moved out away from the engine and removed from the bottom side of the engine compartment.

1. Connect the negative battery cable.

To install:

1. Install the generator to mounting with the two bolts to the rear of the generator. Hand tighten the bolts.
2. Connect the engine harness clip to the cradle.
3. Install the access panel to the lower radiator support. Install the A/C splash shield to the cradle.
4. Attach the harness connector and output cable to the generator.
5. Tighten the rear mounting bolts to 36 ft. lbs. (47 Nm). The output cable to 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm).
6. Install the bolt to the lower front of the generator and tighten to 36 ft. lbs. (47 Nm). Install the bolt to the top front of the generator and tighten to 36 ft. lbs. (47 Nm).
7. Rotate the drive belt tensioner and install the drive belt around the generator pulley. Inspect for correct alignment of the belt with all the accessory pulleys.
8. Install the left cooling fan, and then the right.
9. Attach the upper trans oil cooler line to the trans cooler.
10. Install the left engine torque strut.
11. If the air cleaner was removed, install it now.
12. Replace the cover from the headlamps and radiator shroud.
13. Connect the negative battery cable.

Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I`ll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.

Thank you for using FixYa, have a nice day.

You are best off to buy a service manual as this is a pretty in dept project.there are special tools you will need in order to remove the front cradle to access the oil pan.1-being a engine support for the engine.2-being a front leaf spring tool to relieve tension.It is best left to a experienced tech with the correct tools as you could be severely hurt if NOT careful.

if it is for your engine. it is an 'engine' cradle (up front)-maybe they guy didn't think before he asked you if it was front or rear...

Hello: One way is to remove the cover on the front bottom of the engine/cradle assembly. Then put a jack under the center of the cradle at the front of the engine. Remove the two front cradle bolts (18mm) and lower the cradle/engine assembly down, this will give more room to access the clamps that hold the pipes on. It is not an easy task.

Trans has to be either removed or unbolted & moved away from engine 3" or more to gain access to clutch assy.If you remove trans all the way Cradle needs to be removed & engine supported with special tool.Big Job On the ground!!

jj, here's the procedure:
turn ignition key to locked position and turn steering wheel to the left until the wheel is locked. Remove key.
While vehicle still on ground disconnect the steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear intermediate coupler. Remove the cotter key the nut and the pinch bolt.
Loosen wheel lug, raise vehicle support securely w/ jack stands, remove the wheels.
Raise the insulating wrap on the power steering return hose to expose the hose clamp. Remove the hose clamp and detach the hose, Drain ps fluid thru the hose.
Remove both tie rod ends from steering knuckles.
Remove the 2 bolts and loosen the 3rd attaching the anti-lock brakes Hydraulic control Unit (HCU) to the suspension cradle.
then rotate the HCU rearward to allow access to the cradle bolt and nut just forward of the hcu.
Remove the nuts and bolts attaching the cradle plate to the bottom of the front suspension cradle, then remove cradle plate from cradle.
Remove bracket attaching power steering fluid line to the front suspension cradle.
Detach ps.fluid pressure and return lines from the ps gear.
Remove the 3 bolts and nuts mounting the steering gear to the front suspension cradle.
Lower the steering gear from the suspension cradle enough to allow access to the intermediate coupler roll pin. Install a roll pin remover/installer tool (they always get u with that darn special tool, don't they?) or equivalent set up. Pull the roll pin out of the intermediate coupler. Separate the intermediate coupler from the shaft of the steering gear Remove the steering gear assembly from the suspension cradle. Well, it's too late to give the install procedure, but u seem to have it under control, so let me know if u need more info and how u make out! Merry Christmas!