Automatic Transmission/Transaxle: Service and Repair

1. Disconnect battery ground cable, then positive cable.
2. Disconnect starter motor wiring and ground wires.
3. Drain transaxle fluid into suitable container, then reinstall drain plug and washer.
4. Remove two bolts from side of battery case, then the throttle body intake hose band.
5. Remove air cleaner case and intake hose as an assembly.
6. Remove speedometer gearbox and power steering speed sensor hose as an assembly.
7. Disconnect control cable at torque converter housing.
8. Disconnect transaxle cooler hoses at steel line/rubber hose joints. Turn hoses up to prevent loss of ATF.
9. Disconnect torque converter lock-up control solenoid, shift control solenoid, and automatic speed pulse wire connectors, if applicable, located near transaxle cooler line joints disconnected above.
10. Remove center console, then the shift cable adjuster lock pin. On models equipped with air bag restraint system, use extreme care when working around steering column or center console area to avoid serious personal injury. All electrical harnesses for this system are covered with a yellow outer insulation, with related components located in the steering column, center console, dash panel and front fenders. It is recommended that only authorized personnel work on vehicles with this type of restraint system.
11. Remove shift cable guide attaching bolts, then pull shift cable from passenger compartment.
12. Remove front axles as follows:
a. Loosen front wheel lug nuts, then raise and support front of vehicle.
b. Remove front wheels, then raise locking tabs and remove the spindle nuts.
c. Working at one side at a time, remove damper fork bolt and damper pinch bolt, then the damper fork.
d. Remove lower ball joint cotter pin and attaching nut, then using suitable puller, separate ball joint from lower control arm.
e. Pull front hub outward and remove drive axle outboard joint from front hub spindle. A plastic hammer may be used to remove axle from hub spindle.
f. Using suitable pry tool, pry CV joint outward 1/2 inch from differential side gear or intermediate shaft to release spring clip from groove. Use caution not to damage oil seal. Do not pull drive axle from side gear or intermediate shaft prior to releasing spring clip, as CV joint damage may occur.
g. Pull drive axles from side gear or intermediate shaft. When pulling axle shafts, hold inboard CV joint horizontal to prevent damaging oil seal.
13. Remove drive axle intermediate shaft as follows:
a. Remove four attaching bolts from outer intermediate shaft support bearing.
b. Lower outer intermediate shaft and support bearing to steering gear and pull shaft from differential. When pulling intermediate shaft, hold shaft horizontal until clear of the differential to prevent damaging oil seal.
14. Remove torque converter case attaching bolts from torque rod bracket.
15. Attach suitable engine lifting equipment, then raise engine slightly to unload mounts and remove center beam.
16. Remove two front engine mount bolts from transaxle housing.
17. While holding locknut back off left side front suspension radius rod.
18. Remove center stopper bracket from the transaxle.
19. Remove torque converter cover, then place suitable jack under transaxle and raise just enough to unload mounts.
20. Remove rear, then front engine mount bolts from transaxle.
21. Remove torque converter attaching bolts. The torque converter attaching bolts are located around the circumference of the flex plate. Rotate the crankshaft pulley bolt as necessary to gain access to these bolts. Ensure crankshaft bolt is tightened securely after procedure.
22. Remove starter mounting bolts, then the starter motor.
23. Remove remaining transaxle to engine attaching bolts.
24. Separate transaxle from engine and lower from vehicle.
25. Reverse procedure to install.