Changing the radiator in your Jeep Liberty requires just a few tools. The radiator is the heart of the Jeep cooling system and sits in front of the engine. You need to drain the radiator before you remove it, but if you use a clean pan to catch the coolant, you can reuse it as long as it contains no debris or rust.
Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery and set it aside. Place it where it will not make contact with the battery.
Drain the coolant from the radiator. There is a drain at the bottom of the radiator. Open it and drain the coolant into a bucket or drain pan.
Remove the front grill from your Liberty, using a screwdriver to remove the screws. You need to remove the electric fan as well, before removing the radiator.
Use a wrench to remove the cooling lines that run from the power steering to the cooler in the radiator. Do not bend the lines or crimp them, as this may damage them.
Remove the mounting bolts from the top of the radiator and set them aside. You will need them to install the new radiator.
Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses using a pair of hose clamp pliers. Carefully slide the radiator up and out of the Jeep.
Install the new radiator by sliding it into position and aligning the pins on the bottom of the radiator with the grommets in the cross member. Slide the radiator down until it is fully seated in the mounts.
Attach the upper and lower radiator hoses to the radiator and reinstall the original hose clamps if they are in good condition. If the original clamps were damaged when you removed them, then replace them with new ones. Replacement clamps can be purchased from any Jeep parts department.
Connect the power steering cooler lines to the radiator and tighten them using a wrench. The lines need to be tight enough to prevent leaks, but do not over-tighten them or you may strip the fitting.
Install the cooling fan and replace the grill on the front of your Liberty. Install the mounting bolts for the top of the radiator and tighten them with a wrench or socket.
Fill the radiator with coolant and place the cap on the radiator. Test-run the engine to verify that it does not overheat.
