Front subframe — removal and installation (Peugeot Partner I)

Note: All nuts that are damaged during removal must be replaced. This is explained by the fact that. that the threads of these nuts are coated with a thread locking compound (designed for one puff only). These nuts include the steering gear mounting bolt nuts.

Removal

1. Fully apply the parking brake. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely (see "Lifting and installing the car on supports"). Remove both front wheels.

2. Remove the bolt securing the rear engine/gearbox mount to the support on the rear of the cylinder block. Unscrew the bolt securing the rear support tie rod to the bracket on the subframe and remove the strut (figure 10.2).



3. On models with power steering, remove the bolt securing the power steering line to the support bracket on the subframe and release the line from all clamps on the subframe. Release the clutch cable from the brackets on the subframe.

4. If applicable, carefully remove the plastic cover and then remove the shift linkage bellcrank pivot bolt from the subframe.



5. Unscrew the steering gear mounting bolts and unscrew the nuts. Unscrew the bolts and remove the spacers from the holes in the subframe. Secure the steering gear to the exhaust downpipe using a large clamp or similar device.

6. Remove the bolts of the front lower suspension arm hinges. Remove the nut from the corresponding housing if it is not secured. Perform these steps on both sides.

7. Remove the two bolts securing the lower arm rear support bushing to the subframe. Keep in mind that the large bolt also serves to secure the stabilizer bar mounting clamp (hold the nut if necessary). Remove the nut from the top of each stabilizer bar mounting clip.

8. Release the inner ends of both lower control arms from the subframe.

9. Place a jack with a suitable block of wood on the head under the subframe to perform a controlled lowering of the subframe.

10. Accurately measure and record the position of the subframe in the transverse direction and horizontally relative to the chassis elements and the underbody. In practice, there should be marks near the bolts on the subframe, and these can be used to set the position fairly accurately during installation.

11. Remove the four rear bolts and two front subframe mounting bolts, then carefully lower the subframe from its standard position and remove it from under the vehicle (figure 10.11, a, b). Make sure that when lowering the subframe, it does not pinch the power steering lines.

Installation

12. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following points:

• a) Correctly position the subframe using the measurements taken during removal or using the marks made near the bolts.
• b) All nuts that were damaged during removal must be replaced without fail. This is explained by the fact that the threads of these nuts are coated with a compound for locking threaded connections (designed for one puff only). These nuts include the steering gear mounting bolt nuts.
• c) Tighten all nuts and bolts to the specified torque (if specified).
• d) Finally, check the front wheel alignment angles and adjust them if necessary (see paragraph 24).