Removal and Replacement

Fig.32 Engine To Transaxle Brace Removal:

Fig.33 Engine Support Fixture Installation:

Fig.34 Transaxle To Engine Attachment Locations:

Refer to Fig. 32 through Fig. 34 when removing and installing transaxle.

1. Disconnect battery ground cable, then remove headlamp housing upper filler panel and diagonal brace.
2. Remove air cleaner assembly, then disconnect shifter cable and bracket at transaxle.
3. Remove torque struts.
4. Disconnect oil cooler lines and oil sending line at transaxle.
5. Remove two upper bellhousing bolts.
6. Disconnect power steering hose at auxiliary cooler. Plug cooler holes and return hose to prevent fluid leakage and contamination.
7. Install engine support fixture J-28467 or equivalent, then raise powertrain until weight is off mounts.
8. Raise and support vehicle, then remove both front wheel and splash shield assemblies.
9. Disconnect both front suspension position sensors from lower control arms and position aside.
10. Separate both tie rods from steering knuckles, then both ball joints from struts.
11. Remove both drive axles from hubs and transaxle.
12. Disconnect power steering filter at cradle.
13. Remove A/C splash shield from frame.
14. Remove ABS modulator from bracket and support.
15. Remove engine oil pan to transaxle bracket.
16. Remove torque converter cover, then flywheel to converter bolts. Mark flywheel to converter position for assembly purposes.
17. Remove powertrain mount nuts from cradle.
18. Rotate steering intermediate shaft until steering gear stub shaft clamp bolt is accessible through left wheel opening. Remove clamp bolt through left wheel opening.
19. Remove steering intermediate shaft from steering gear.

WARNING: Failure to disconnect intermediate shaft from rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage could result in loss of steering control which could cause personal injury. Do not rotate steering wheel or move position of steering gear when intermediate shaft is disconnected; SIR coil in steering column will become uncentered. If coil becomes uncentered, it may be damaged during vehicle operation.

20. Disconnect electrical harness from front of cradle, then support rear of cradle with a jackstand.
21. Remove four rear cradle bolts, then lower jack stand enough to gain access to power steering gear heat shield and return line fitting.
22. Remove power steering gear heat shield and return line at gear. Plug steering gear and pressure line to avoid leakage and contamination.
23. Disconnect power steering electrical connector.
24. Raise jack stand and install one rear cradle bolt on each side to finger tightness to support cradle. Remove jack stand.
25. Support frame, then remove six frame mount bolts.
26. Lower frame and/or raise vehicle with steering gear attached.
27. Disconnect the following connectors:
a. Three transaxle connectors.
b. VSS connector.
c. Ground strap.
d. Transaxle harness from transaxle clip.
28. Disconnect fuel line bundle from transaxle.
29. Remove left and right transaxle mount and bracket assemblies from transaxle.
30. Install transaxle support fixture tool No. J-28664, or equivalent.
31. Remove engine to transaxle heat shield and bracket, then two engine to transaxle bolts.
32. Lower transaxle.
33. Disconnect manual shaft linkage and neutral start switch.
34. Disconnect speed sensor and oil return pipe.
35. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Install six frame mount bolts in following order: left side No. 2 mount bolt into body, left side No. 1 mount bolt into body, then remaining bolts in no specific order. Tighten six frame mount bolts to specifications.
b. Flush transaxle oil cooler.
c. Adjust transaxle range switch.
d. Adjust range control cable as outlined.
e. Bleed power steering system.
f. Add transmission fluid.
g. Check front suspension alignment, set toe as necessary.
h. Reset transaxle adapts.
i. Reset transaxle oil life indicator.