Removal and Replacement
Special Service Tool (S) Required
Extension Housing Seal Replacer T61L-7657-B
NOTE: After transmission is removed for a major overhaul, it is important to completely clean all transmission components, including torque converter, transmission cooler, cooler inlet tubes, main control valve body, governor, clutches and all coasting booster valve shuttle balls after any transmission service that generates contamination. These contaminants are a major cause for recurring transmission troubles and must be removed from the system before the transmission is returned to service.
The cleaning of debris from the direct clutch check ball is often omitted. This omission can lead to a repeat servicing of the transmission.
Cleaning and flushing procedures for transmission components, including the direct clutch check ball, can be found under Cleaning and Inspection.
Removal
1. Open hood and disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Raise vehicle on hoist.
3. Disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle assembly and slide shaft rearward from the transmission. To maintain driveshaft balance, mark the rear driveshaft yoke and rear axle universal joint flange so the driveshaft can be installed in its original position. Install an Extension Housing Seal Replacer T61L-7657-B in the extension housing to prevent fluid leakage.
4. Remove exhaust system.
5. Place the drain pan under the transmission pan. Starting at the rear of the transmission pan and working toward the front, loosen the retaining bolts and allow the fluid to drain. Finally remove all of the transmission pan retaining bolts except two at the front, to allow the fluid to further drain. With fluid drained, install two bolts on the rear side of the transmission pan to temporarily hold it in place.
6. Remove the converter drain plug access cover from the lower end of the converter housing.
7. Remove the torque converter-to-flywheel retaining nuts. Place a wrench on the crankshaft pulley retaining bolt to turn the torque converter to gain access to the nuts.
8. Place a drain pan under the torque converter. With the wrench on the crankshaft pulley retaining bolt, turn the torque converter to gain access to the converter housing access plug (7N171) and remove the converter housing access plug. After the fluid has been drained, install the converter housing access plug.
9. Disconnect the cable from the terminal on the starter motor. Remove the three retaining bolts and remove the starter motor. Disconnect the TR sensor switch wires at the plug connector.
10. Remove the rear mount-to-crossmember retaining bolts and the two crossmember-to-frame retaining bolts.
11. Remove the two engine rear support-to-extension housing retaining bolts.
12. Carefully disconnect shift cable from transmission manual control lever at transmission by removing adjusting nut.
13. Disconnect wiring connectors to 14488 wiring harness assembly.
14. Raise the transmission with a transmission jack to provide clearance to remove the rear engine support. Remove the rear engine support insulator from the rear engine support and remove the rear engine support from the side support.
15. Lower the transmission to gain access to the cooler inlet tube.
16. Disconnect cooler inlet tube from the fittings on the transmission.
17. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) from the extension housing.
18. Remove the bolt that retains the fluid filler tube to the cylinder block. Lift the fluid filler tube and the fluid level indicator from the transmission.
19. Secure the transmission to the jack with a chain.
20. Remove the converter housing-to-cylinder block retaining bolts.
21. Carefully move the transmission and torque converter away from the engine and, at the same time, lower the jack to clear the underside of the vehicle.