As I haven't seen any actual guide to how to swap crossmembers in a Z31, I figured I would write one. This is very useful for anyone wanting to do the coveted NA2T swap. This write-up is relevant to anyone who has already removed their engine!
Tools Needed:
Penetrating Oil (a must)
Propane or MAPP Gas torch
10mm socket
14mm socket
17mm socket
22mm socket
14mm wrench
22mm wrench
breaker bar
socket wrench (appropriate to your sockets)
lugnut wrench
jack stands (rated for vehicle)
jack (rated for vehicle)
hammer
prybar
vice grips (maybe)
1. The first step is somewhat time consuming, but far from difficult. Start breaking loose your front wheel lugnuts, but do not remove, using your lugnut wrench. Once this is done, position your jackstands at the proper lifting points along the body of your ZX, and then jack up the front of the car and position on jackstands. Once the vehicle is properly lifted, remove your front wheels completely.
IMG_0025.JPGIMG_0028.JPGIMG_0030.JPG
2. Soak everything with penetrating oil! Soak the outer tie rod ends, the lower control arm bolts, the crossmember bolts, the swaybar endlink bolts, and the tension rod bolts. Soak all of it, every single bit again and again. If it isn't dripping, it isn't soaked!
3. Take your 17mm socket and breaker bar to the tension rod bolts. They are located underneath the control arm. Some gentle persuasion, and a thorough soaking (if you followed step 2!), and they should come loose quite easily.
4. Using your 14mm socket and socket wrench, remove your swaybar endlinks. These will be stubborn! I ended up using a pair of vice grips on the top bolt, and worked the lower nut off with a socket wrench after some heating with my propane torch. Once both sides have their tension rods and swaybar endlinks disconnected, you should see this...
IMG_0032.JPG
Tools Needed:
Penetrating Oil (a must)
Propane or MAPP Gas torch
10mm socket
14mm socket
17mm socket
22mm socket
14mm wrench
22mm wrench
breaker bar
socket wrench (appropriate to your sockets)
lugnut wrench
jack stands (rated for vehicle)
jack (rated for vehicle)
hammer
prybar
vice grips (maybe)
1. The first step is somewhat time consuming, but far from difficult. Start breaking loose your front wheel lugnuts, but do not remove, using your lugnut wrench. Once this is done, position your jackstands at the proper lifting points along the body of your ZX, and then jack up the front of the car and position on jackstands. Once the vehicle is properly lifted, remove your front wheels completely.
IMG_0025.JPGIMG_0028.JPGIMG_0030.JPG
2. Soak everything with penetrating oil! Soak the outer tie rod ends, the lower control arm bolts, the crossmember bolts, the swaybar endlink bolts, and the tension rod bolts. Soak all of it, every single bit again and again. If it isn't dripping, it isn't soaked!
3. Take your 17mm socket and breaker bar to the tension rod bolts. They are located underneath the control arm. Some gentle persuasion, and a thorough soaking (if you followed step 2!), and they should come loose quite easily.
4. Using your 14mm socket and socket wrench, remove your swaybar endlinks. These will be stubborn! I ended up using a pair of vice grips on the top bolt, and worked the lower nut off with a socket wrench after some heating with my propane torch. Once both sides have their tension rods and swaybar endlinks disconnected, you should see this...
IMG_0032.JPG
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