Removal
TransmissionCAUTION: Whenever a transmission has been disassembled to install new parts, the transmission fluid cooler tubes must be cleaned and backflushed using a suitable torque converter/fluid cooler cleaner. A new oil-to-air (OTA) cooler must also be installed.
When internal wear or damage has occurred in the transmission, metal particles, clutch plate material or band material may have been carried into the torque converter and fluid cooler. These contaminants are a major cause of recurring transmission concerns and must be removed from the system before the transmission is returned to service.
CAUTION: After the transmission is removed for a major overhaul, it is important to completely clean all transmission components, including torque converter, cooler inlet tube, main control valve body, clutches and all coasting booster valve shuttle balls after any transmission service that generates contamination. These contaminants are a major cause for recurring transmission concerns and must be removed from the system before the transmission is returned to service.
The cleaning of foreign material from the direct clutch check ball is often omitted. This omission can lead to a repeat servicing of the transmission.
A new OTA cooler must be installed under the following condition.
^ Evidence of broken transmission components or fluid contamination found due to the following transmission or converter failure modes:
- Major metallic failure
- Multiple clutches or clutch plate failure
- Sufficient component wear which results in metallic contamination
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
3. NOTE: Do not drain the transmission unless disassembly or installation of a new transmission is required.
Drain the transmission fluid.
^ Loosen the transmission fluid pan bolts and allow the fluid to drain. After fluid has drained remove the bolts and the pan and drain the remaining fluid that is in the pan.
4. Install the transmission fluid pan and the old gasket.
1 Position the transmission fluid pan gasket.
2 Position the transmission fluid pan.
5. NOTE: To maintain the initial driveshaft balance, mark the rear driveshaft yoke and the axle pinion flange so they can be installed in their original positions.
Mark the rear driveshaft yoke and the axle pinion flange and remove the 4 bolts.
6. Index-mark the driveshaft and extension housing. Separate the driveshaft from the transmission.
7. Remove the torque converter access cover plug at the left rear engine block.
8. Remove the torque converter access cover.
1 Remove the bolts.
2 Remove the inspection cover.
3 Remove the bolt.
9. NOTE: Make an identifying mark on the torque converter stud and the flexplate for correct alignment during assembly.
Remove and discard the 4 torque converter-to-flexplate nuts.
10. Disconnect the RH H02S sensor connector.
11. Disconnect the RH catalyst monitor connector.
12. Remove the bolts from the RH exhaust flange.
13. Remove the bolts and the RH catalytic converter.
14. Disconnect the LH H02S sensor connector.
15. Disconnect the LH catalyst monitor connector.
16. Remove the bolts from the LH exhaust flange.
17. Remove the bolts and the LH catalytic converter.
18. NOTE: Make a reference mark on the shift cable linkage to the transmission.
Disconnect the transmission shift linkage.
19. Remove the shift cable bracket and position aside.
20. Remove the ground wire.
21. Remove the starter electrical connector cap.
22. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
23. Remove the 3 starter bolts and the starter.
24. NOTE: The case connectors must be held in place to prevent them from moving.
Disconnect the transmission fluid cooler tubes.
25. Remove the cooler line bracket and position aside.
26. Position a suitable jack under the transmission. Secure the transmission to the jack with safety straps.
27. Remove the rear transmission insulator nuts.
28. Remove the RH side crossmember bolts.
29. Remove the LH side crossmember bolts.
30. Remove the bolts and remove the parking cable bracket and position aside.
31. NOTE: The crossmember is a press-fit in the crossmember pocket, it may be necessary to pry the crossmember out of the crossmember pocket. Be careful not to damage the crossmember.
Lower the RH side of the crossmember.
32. NOTE: The crossmember is a press-fit in the crossmember pocket, it may be necessary to pry the crossmember out of the crossmember pocket. Be careful not to damage the crossmember.
Lower the LH side of the crossmember and remove the crossmember.
33. Remove the rear transmission insulator.
34. NOTE: It is not necessary, to disconnect the transmission harness from all the transmission sensors at this time, the harness will come out with the transmission.
Disconnect the wire harness connectors and remove them from the filler tube.
35. Remove the bolt.
36. Position the fluid filler tube aside.
37. Remove the transmission retaining bolts.
38. Separate and lower the transmission from the engine. Partially lower the transmission from under the vehicle.
39. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
1 Remove the catalyst monitor connector retainer from the stud.
2 Disconnect the transmission solenoid body electrical connector.
40. Disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the wire harness from the transmission.
1 Disconnect the digital TR sensor electrical connector.
2 Disconnect the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor electrical connector.
3 Disconnect the turbine shaft speed (TSS) sensor electrical connector.
- Remove the catalyst monitor connector retainer from the stud.
- Disconnect the wire harness retainers and remove the harness.
41. Lower the transmission from under the vehicle.
42. Carry out the transmission fluid cooler backflushing and cleaning if the transmission is being overhauled or installing a new or remanufactured transmission.