Post-Cat Oxygen Sensor

[jumpo64]

Hey Guys,
I'll make this quick and painless. Next weekend I'm planning on changing the post-cat O2 sensor in my girlfriend's 2005 Liberty Renegade with the 3.7 ...I attempted to do it today but ran out of daylight.

I have the sensor (bank 1, sensor 2), as well as an oxygen sensor socket, etc.

I'm not too familiar with the jeep, so here's my question:

Right behind the cats, and running from one side of the frame to the other is a metal cross-member (some sort of brace maybe) that is held in by 3 bolts on each side. This makes it impossible for me to turn a socket, or even a wrench under there. Is there any harm in taking this brace off so I can have easier access to the O2 sensor?

I tried to find a picture to show what I'm talking about, but couldn't find anything via google. So at any rate, It's just a 5 inch wide metal piece (cross-member, brace, whatever) that runs from the driver to passenger side, right behind the cats. The oxygen sensor wires and plugs actually attach to the top side of this piece.

I would imagine someone knows what I'm talking about. Hopefully!

Thanks guys.

 

[tommudd]

Cross member, holds up basically everything back there, so if you want to remove it then you'll need a way to support the transfer case and ******.
I've never had a problem swapping them out and never remove the cross member. The wires are just clipped on there easy to remove

 

[jumpo64]

When I put the O2 socket on, I was left with no room to actually turn the socket wrench. If taking off the cross member isn't an option then I guess I will have to buy a flex head wrench. Not to mention the thing is nice and rusted. I'll soak it in PB Blaster, let the exhaust warm up a bit, and then try again with the different wrench.

Thanks for the help! She always makes me drive her Jeep and the check engine light annoys me. So I pulled out my code reader and decided I would take care of it. Thanks again.

 

[ryanee182]

I just used an open-end wrench when I changed mine, and had plenty of room. No need for a fancy O2 socket.

 

[jumpo64]

I just used an open-end wrench when I changed mine, and had plenty of room. No need for a fancy O2 socket.

I already had the O2 socket. I'm a big gear head, just never turned a wrench on a jeep before.

 

[tommudd]

Jeeps are no different
all the same -----almost:disgust:
lefty-loosey
righty-tighty

I also just use a regular old open end wrench after soaking and no problems, have taken some out that looked like they had welds on them from so much rust:happy175:

 

[Dirty Sanchezz]

I believe the post cat sensor is bank 2 sensor 2. Bank one would be before the cat.

 

[ryanee182]

I believe the post cat sensor is bank 2 sensor 2. Bank one would be before the cat.

This thread is over a year old. And....

Bank 1 = Passenger side (US models)
Bank 2 = Drivers side (Us models)

Sensor 1 = Upstream before the cat
Sensor 2 = Downstream after the cat

So...bank 1 sensor 2 = passenger side after the cat.