SECTION 9R
BODY FRONT END
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
BODY FRONT END
This vehicle has a unitized body with a frame assembly supporting the engine and the transaxle. The fender panels and the radiator support are also integral parts of the body.
REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE


LUBRICATION
The hood hinges and the locking mechanisms require periodic lubrication for proper operation. Refer to Section 0B, General Information for the specific types and intervals of lubrication.


FASTENERS
Notice : Dissimilar metals in direct contact with each other may corrode rapidly. Make sure to use the correct fasteners to prevent premature corrosion.
Many aluminum components are used on current models. Aluminum in contact with steel may corrode rapidly if it is not protected by special finishes or isolators.
The fasteners used have a special finish which provides adequate protection from corrosion. These special fasteners differ in color in order to easily identify them from the standard metric fasteners, which are medium blue in color.
When replacing fasteners, avoid substituting otherwise similar fasteners in the same location.


ANTICORROSION MATERIALS
In order to provide rust resistance, anticorrosion materials have been applied to the interior surfaces of most of the metal panels. When you service these panels, properly re-coat them with a service-type anticorrosion material if any of the original material has been disturbed.


FRONT END SEALING
All locations where waterleaks may occur are sealed during production with high quality, durable sealers. If it becomes necessary to reseal specific areas, use a high quality sealer of medium-bodied consistency which will retain its flexible characteristics after curing and can be painted if necessary.


COWL VENT GRILLE
Removal Procedure
- Remove the wiper arm assembly. Refer to Section 9D, Wiper/Washer Systems.
- Remove the cowl vent grille screws and the clips.
- Remove the screws after removing the upper cap (1).
- Remove the lower retaining plastic clips (2).
- Close the hood.
- Lift up the cowl vent grille (3).


- Remove the cowl vent grille.
- Disconnect the front washer hose connector.
- Remove the cowl vent grille.
-
- a. Cowl vent grille.
- b. Front washer hose connector.


Installation Procedure
- Connect the front washer hose connector.


- Install the cowl vent grille with the screws and the clips.
- Install the wiper arm assembly. Refer to Section 9D, Wiper/Washer Systems.


HOOD
Removal Procedure
Important : Install the protective coverings over the fenders and the windshield in order to prevent damage to the paint, the glass and the moldings when you are removing and installing the hood.
- Raise and support the hood.
- Remove the hood.
- Remove the bolts (1).
- Remove the hood (2).


Installation Procedure
Notice : Dissimilar metals in direct contact with each other may corrode rapidly. Make sure to use the correct fasteners to prevent premature corrosion.
- Install the hood with the bolts.
- Inspect the hood for proper alignment.


HOOD HINGE
Removal Procedure
- Remove the hood. Refer to "Hood" in this section.
- Take off the cowl vent grille.
- Remove the screws after removing the upper caps (1).
- Remove the retaining screw on the cowl vent grille (2).
- Take off the cowl vent grill (3).


- Remove the bolts on the top of the fender.
-
- a. Fender upper mounting bolt.


- Remove the hood hinge.
- Remove the bolts (1).
- Remove the hood hinge (2).


Installation Procedure
Notice : Dissimilar metals in direct contact with each other may corrode rapidly. Make sure to use the correct fasteners to prevent premature corrosion.
- Install the hood hinge with the bolts.
- Install the bolts along the top of the fender.
- Install the cowl vent grille with the screws and the caps.
- Install the hood. Refer to "Hood" in this section.


HOOD PROP ROD
Removal Procedure
- Support the hood in the open position.
- Remove the hood prop from the hood.
- Using a sharp gimlet, press the pins (1).
- Remove the hood prop (2).


- Remove the hood prop rod from the hood prop.
-
- a. Hood prop rod.


Installation Procedure
- Install the hood prop rod to the hood prop.
- Install the hood prop to the hood with the pins.


HOOD LATCH
Removal Procedure
- Open the hood.
- Remove the hood latch.
- Remove the screws (1).
- Disconnect the hood latch release cable (2).
- Remove the hood latch (3).


Installation Procedure
- Connect the hood latch release cable to the latch.
Notice : Dissimilar metals in direct contact with each other may corrode rapidly. Make sure to use the correct fasteners to prevent premature corrosion.
- Install the hood latch with the screws.


HOOD LATCH RELEASE LEVER
(Left-Hand Drive Shown, Right-Hand Drive Similar)
Removal Procedure
- Remove the hood latch nut into the instrument panel.
-
- a. Hood latch nut.


- Remove the hood latch release lever.
- Disconnect the cable (1).
- Remove the hood latch release lever (2).


Installation Procedure
- Connect the hood latch release cable to the hood latch lever.


Notice : Dissimilar metals in direct contact with each other may corrode rapidly. Make sure to use the correct fasteners to prevent premature corrosion.
- Install the hood latch lever release to the instrument panel with the hood latch nut.


HOOD LATCH RELEASE CABLE
(Left-Hand Drive Shown, Right-Hand Drive Similar)
Removal Procedure
- Remove the hood latch release cable from the instrument panel. Refer to "Hood Latch Release Lever" in this section.
- Push the cable toward the engine compartment through the body hole.
-
- a. Hood latch lever cable.


- Open and suitably support the hood.
- Disconnect the hood latch release cable from the hood latch. Refer to "Hood Latch" in this section.
- Remove the hood latch release cable after removing the plastic strip.
-
- a. Hood latch release cable.


Installation Procedure
- Connect the hood latch release cable to the hood latch. Refer to "Hood Latch" in this section.
- Arrange the hood latch release cable with the plastic strip.
- Push the cable toward the passenger compartment through the body hole.
- Connect the hood latch release cable to the hood latch release lever. Refer to "Hood Latch Release Lever" in this section.


FENDER
Removal Procedure
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
- Remove the wheelhouse splash shield.
- Remove the clip and the bolt.
-
- a. Clip and bolt.
- Remove the wheel house splash shield.
-
- a. Wheel house splash shield.


- Remove the bolt at the base of the fender.
-
- a. Fender mounting lower bolt.
- Open the front door. Remove the bolt on the A-pillar.
-
- b. Fender mounting bolt.


- Remove the screws on the side of the front bumper fascia.
-
- a. Bumper fascia side bolts.
- Remove the bolt under the fender.
-
- b. Fender mounting bolt.


- Lower the vehicle.
- Take off the cowl vent grille. Remove the bolt on the top of the fender.
-
- a. Fender mounting bolt.


- Remove the front bumper spacer. Refer to Section 9M, Exterior Trim.
- Remove the fender front bolt.
-
- a. Fender front bolt.


- Remove the bolts along the top of the fender.
-
- a. Bolt.
- Remove the fender.
-
- b. Fender.


Installation Procedure
- Install the fender.
Notice : Dissimilar metals in direct contact with each other may corrode rapidly. Make sure to use the correct fasteners to prevent premature corrosion.
- Install the bolts along the top of the fender.


- Install the front bumper spacer.
- Install the cowl vent grille.
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
- Install the bolts under the fender.
- Install the screws on the side of the front bumper fascia.
- Open the front door Install the bolt on the A-pillar.
- Install the bolt at the base of the fender.
- Install the wheelhouse splash shield with the screws.
- Lower the vehicle.