Automatic Transmission/Transaxle: Service and Repair

1. Disconnect battery ground cable and drain transaxle fluid.
2. Disconnect speedometer cable, then the change control cable from transaxle.
3. Disconnect all electrical connectors and vacuum lines from transaxle.
4. Remove starter, then install engine support 49 G030 025 or equivalent and raise engine slightly.
5. Remove 5 transaxle to engine attaching bolts.
6. Remove oil pipe retaining clip and disconnect oil hose from oil pipe. Plug both hoses and pipes to prevent fluid loss.
7. Raise and support vehicle, then remove front wheels.
8. Remove right and left splash shields, then the stabilizer bar control link.
9. Remove transaxle undercover, then the right and left control arms by pulling the control arms downward to separate them from knuckles. Use caution to avoid damaging ball joint dust boots.
10. Remove left driveshaft as follows:
a. Pull front hub outward, then install a suitable pry bar between hub and transaxle.
b. Tap pry bar until driveshaft disconnects from transaxle side gear.
c. Pull front hub outward, then pull driveshaft out from transaxle and set aside. Use caution to avoid damaging driveshaft oil seal when removing driveshaft from transaxle.
11. Remove right driveshaft as follows:
a. Install suitable pry bar between driveshaft and joint shaft, then tap pry bar until the driveshaft coupling opens.
b. Pull front hub outward, then pull driveshaft out from joint shaft and set it aside.
c. Remove joint shaft bracket attaching bolts, then pull joint bracket from transaxle as a complete assembly.
12. Rotate crankshaft to suitable position and remove one torque converter to flywheel attaching bolt, then rotate crankshaft again and remove remaining bolts.
13. Remove crossmember and lower control arm attaching bolts, then the lower crossmember and lower control arm from vehicle as an assembly.
14. Attach suitable rope to transaxle mount bracket in two places, then secure rope to engine support.
15. Install floor jack under transaxle. Note which part of transaxle contacts floor jack, as transaxle is not well balanced.
16. Remove lower transaxle to engine attaching bolts, then remove transaxle from vehicle by lowering floor jack and loosening the rope at same time. Use caution not to drop torque converter from transaxle.
17. Remove transaxle mount bracket from transaxle.
18. Reverse procedure to install. Note the following torques: converter housing to engine, 65-86 ft.lbs.; torque converter to flywheel, 26-36 ft.lbs.; crossmember and lower control arm nuts, 10 mm bolts to 32-40 ft.lbs. and 12 mm bolts to 69-85 ft.lbs.; joint shaft bracket bolts, 31-46 ft.lbs.; starter to transaxle 27-46 ft.lbs.