How do you change the radiator hoses and thermostat on a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?

Is it a four cylinder?

Drain the raditor from the plastic screw in the lower right hand corner. You should be able to do this without jacking up the car.

If so, you need to remove the battery and the platform that secures it. There you will see the thermostat housing mounted vertically on the left side of the engine. There are two 12mm bolts and one other bolt that secures some other fixture. Take out the bolts, tap the housing lightly with a plastic hammer and it it should fall out.

Be carefull with aftermarket thermostats, I bought one and it didn't seal because the O Ring wasn't fat enough. The dealer wanted $30 for the OEM thermostat versus $8.00 for the aftermarket one. But what good is a thermostat that leaks? Clean the suraces well and ad some RTV type sealant and put it back on there. Tourque to about 6-8 lb max. You should be set. Use 1/4 drive with a short handle to elimiante the possility of over tightening. Yes these housings can break or distort if over tightened. It only has to be tight enough to seal.

Reagarding the houses find them and pull them off. Sometimes a slight twisting movement along with the tug will break them loose.

If you do it right it should not take more than an hour.