Lincoln Nautilus: Uni-Body, Subframe and Mounting System / Front Subframe. Removal and Installation

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

	014-3KLIFTTABLE Powertrain Lift Table
Tie Rod End Remover
Steering Wheel Holder
Wooden Block

Materials

Removal

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect the performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.

1. NOTICE: Disconnect the battery ground cable anytime the steering gear is being serviced or damage to the steering gear internal power relay may occur resulting in steering gear replacement.

   Disconnect the battery ground cable.
   Refer to: Battery Disconnect and Connect (414-01 Battery, Mounting and Cables, General Procedures).
   

1. Hold the steering wheel in straight-ahead position.
   Use the General Equipment: Steering Wheel Holder

1.   WARNING: Do not reuse steering column shaft bolts. This may result in fastener failure and steering column shaft detachment or loss of steering control. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).

   Remove and discard the steering shaft coupler bolt and detach the steering shaft.
   Torque: 18 lb.ft (25 Nm)

1. Remove the retainers and the upper air deflector.
   

1. Support the cooling module.
   
   1. Remove the upper cooling module support brackets.
      
   2. Using zip ties or mechanics wire through the upper location holes support the cooling module.
      

1. Remove the wheels and tires.
   Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the bolts, the retainers and the underbody shield.
   

1. If equipped.
   Remove the retainers and the dual under body shields.
   

1. Remove the retainers and the center under body shield.
   

1. On both side
   Remove the retainers and separate the fender splash shield
   

1. Remove the front air deflectors.
   
   1. Remove the bolts.
      
   2. Remove the stamped nuts and the front air deflectors.
      

1. Remove the retainers and the front under body shield.
   

1. On both sides.
   Index-mark the subframe for reference during installation.
   

1. On both sides.
   Index-mark the subframe for reference during installation.
   

1. Remove the retainers and the radiator core support.
   Torque: 177 lb.in (20 Nm)

1. NOTICE: Do not use a hammer to separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.

   NOTICE: Use care when installing the tie rod separator or damage to the outer tie-rod end boot may occur.

   On both sides.
   Remove and discard the tie rod end nut and separate the tie rod end from the wheel knuckle.
   Use the General Equipment: Tie Rod End Remover
   Torque: 111 lb.ft (150 Nm)

1. NOTE: The stabilizer bar links are designed with low friction ball joints that have a low breakaway torque.

   NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the stabilizer bar link nut.

   On both sides.
   Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link lower nut and separate the stabilizer bar link from the stabilizer bar.
   Torque: 85 lb.ft (115 Nm)

1. NOTICE: The front suspension height sensor must be disconnected from the lower control arm prior to servicing suspension components or damage to the suspension height sensor and/or the vehicle dynamic suspension system may occur. The sensor will need to be recalibrated after reassembly.

   If equipped
   
   1. Remove the front height sensor arm bracket bolt and position the front height sensor arm bracket aside.
      
   2. Disconnect the front height sensor electrical connector.
      
   3. Unclip the front height sensor wire harness from the front height sensor and position the harness aside.
      

1. NOTICE: Do not use a prying device or separator fork between the ball joint and the wheel knuckle. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may result. Only use the pry bar by inserting it into the lower arm body opening.

   NOTICE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and wheel knuckle into the resting position or damage to the ball joint seal may occur.

   On both sides.
   Remove and discard the lower ball joint pinch bolt and nut. Separate the lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
   

1. NOTE: 2.0L EcoBoost.

   Remove the roll restrictor bolt.
   

1. NOTE: 2.7L EcoBoost.

   Remove the exhaust flexible pipe.
   Refer to: Exhaust Flexible Pipe (309-00B Exhaust System - 2.7L EcoBoost (238kW/324PS), Removal and Installation).
   

1. NOTE: 2.7L EcoBoost.

   Remove the roll restrictor bolt.
   

1. NOTE: 2.0L EcoBoost vehicle shown, others similar.

   Remove the retainers and the front crossmember brace.
   

1. NOTE: 2.0L EcoBoost.

   Remove the retainers and the exhaust support bracket.
   

1. Disconnect the body harness pushpin from the front of the subframe.
   

1. If equipped
   Remove the retainers and the steering gear heat shield.
   

1. NOTE: 2.0L EcoBoost.

   Disconnect the EPAS electrical connectors and unclip the harness.
   

1. NOTE: 2.7L EcoBoost.

   Disconnect the EPAS electrical connectors and unclip the harness.
   

1. Position the powertrain lift table under the subframe.
   Use Special Service Tool: 014-3KLIFTTABLE  Powertrain Lift Table.
   Use the General Equipment: Wooden Block

1. 1. Remove and discard the rearward subframe bolts.
      
   2. Remove the bolts and the subframe brackets.
      

1. Remove and discard the forward subframe bolts.
   

1. Lower the subframe assembly from the vehicle.
   Use Special Service Tool: 014-3KLIFTTABLE  Powertrain Lift Table.
   Use the General Equipment: Wooden Block

Installation

1. Raise the subframe assembly and position it to the vehicle.
   Use Special Service Tool: 014-3KLIFTTABLE  Powertrain Lift Table.
   Use the General Equipment: Wooden Block

1. NOTE: Align reference marks made during removal.

   NOTE: Only tighten the bolts finger tight at this stage.

   Install the new forward subframe bolts.
   

1. 1. NOTE: Only tighten the bolts finger tight at this stage.

      Install the subframe brackets and the bolts.
      

   2. NOTE: Only tighten the bolts finger tight at this stage.

      Install the new rearward subframe bolts.
      

1. NOTE: While tightening the subframe bolts, make sure the front subframe does not move.

   Tighten the new forward subframe bolts.
   Torque: 173 lb.ft (235 Nm)

1. NOTE: While tightening the subframe bolts, make sure the front subframe does not move.

   1. Tighten the new rearward subframe bolts.
      Torque:
        Stage 1:  76 lb.ft (103 Nm)
        Stage 2:  270°
   2. Tighten the subframe bracket bolts.
      Torque: 35 lb.ft (48 Nm)

1. NOTE: 2.0L EcoBoost.

   Clip the harness and connect the EPAS electrical connectors.
   

1. NOTE: 2.7L EcoBoost.

   Clip the harness and connect the EPAS electrical connectors.
   

1. If equipped
   Position the steering gear heat shield and install the retainers.
   Torque: 71 lb.in (8 Nm)

1. Connect the body harness pushpin to the front of the subframe.
   

1. NOTE: 2.0L EcoBoost.

   Install the exhaust support bracket and the retainers.
   Torque: 18 lb.ft (25 Nm)

1. NOTE: 2.0L EcoBoost vehicle shown, others similar.

   Install the front crossmember brace and the retainers.
   Torque: 30 lb.ft (40 Nm)

1. NOTE: 2.0L EcoBoost.

   Clean, apply adhesive and install the roll restrictor bolt.
   Material: Motorcraft® Threadlock 262 / TA-26 (WSK-M2G351-A6)
   Torque: 85 lb.ft (115 Nm)

1. NOTE: 2.7L EcoBoost.

   Clean, apply adhesive and install the roll restrictor bolt.
   Material: Motorcraft® Threadlock 262 / TA-26 (WSK-M2G351-A6)
   Torque: 85 lb.ft (115 Nm)

1. NOTE: 2.7L EcoBoost.

   Install the exhaust flexible pipe.
   Refer to: Exhaust Flexible Pipe (309-00B Exhaust System - 2.7L EcoBoost (238kW/324PS), Removal and Installation).
   

1. On both sides.
   Position the ball joint into the wheel knuckle and install the new ball joint pinch bolt and nut.
   Torque: 76 lb.ft (103 Nm)

1. NOTICE: The front suspension height sensor must be disconnected from the lower control arm prior to servicing suspension components or damage to the suspension height sensor and/or the vehicle dynamic suspension system may occur. The sensor will need to be recalibrated after reassembly.

   If equipped
   
   1. Connect the front height sensor electrical connector.
      
   2. Position the front height sensor wire harness and clip the harness to the front height sensor.
      
   3. Position the front height sensor arm bracket and install the front height sensor arm bracket bolt.
      Torque: 177 lb.in (20 Nm)

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

1. Install the wheels and tires.
   Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Connect the battery ground cable.
   Refer to: Battery Disconnect and Connect (414-01 Battery, Mounting and Cables, General Procedures).
   

1. Check and if necessary adjust front toe.
   Refer to: Front Toe Adjustment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures).
   Refer to: Front Toe Adjustment - Vehicles With: Adaptive Steering (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures).