Removal
TransaxleSpecial Tool(s):
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.
2. Remove the battery and battery tray. For additional information, refer to Battery.
3. Remove the air cleaner and the outlet pipe. For additional information, refer to Fuel Delivery and Air Induction.
4. Remove the cowl panel grille.
5. Remove the upper roll restrictor bolt.
6. Remove the 4 roll restrictor brace bolts and the brace.
7. Disconnect the shift cable end.
8. Remove the electrical connector from the shift cable bracket.
9. Remove the 3 bolts for the shift cable bracket and position the cable and bracket aside.
10. Disconnect the wire harness from the transmission control module (TCM).
11. Disconnect the wire harness from the transaxle.
12. Disconnect the lower wire harness from the transaxle.
13. Remove the 4 bolts and the roll restrictor bracket.
14. Disconnect the wire harness from the roll restrictor.
15. Remove the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hose.
16. Disconnect the vacuum hoses from the throttle body.
17. Remove the bolt for the power steering line bracket and position aside.
18. Remove the plastic electrical cover for the starter motor electrical connectors.
19. Disconnect the 2 starter motor electrical connectors.
20. Remove the 2 bolts for the starter and the starter.
21. NOTE: It is not necessary to completely remove the roll restrictor from the vehicle, it only has to be positioned aside.
Remove the 2 retaining bolts and remove the roll restrictor and position aside.
22. Disconnect the ground wire.
23. Remove the 4 upper transaxle bolts.
24. If a transaxle exchange or overhaul is required, the transmission fluid must be drained.
^ Remove the drain plug and allow the fluid to drain.
25. Remove the LH and RH halfshafts.
26. If removed, install the transmission fluid drain plug.
^ Tighten to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
27. Remove and discard the 2 nuts for the front exhaust pipe.
28. Remove and discard the 2 nuts for the rear exhaust pipe.
29. Remove and discard the 2 nuts for the catalytic converter pipe, disconnect the rubber hanger and remove the pipe.
30. If equipped, disconnect the engine block heater electrical connector.
31. Position the heat shield for the knock sensor aside.
32. Remove the bolt and the knock sensor.
33. Disconnect the knock sensor wire harness from the transaxle.
34. Remove the transaxle-to-engine bolt.
35. Remove the bolt for the power steering hose.
36. NOTE: When installing the lifting bracket, it will be easier to loosely install the upper bolt first, then install the lower bolt.
Install the lower half of the lifting hook.
37. Install the upper half of the lifting hook.
38. Disconnect the vapor tube from the canister purge valve.
39. Remove the bolt for the power steering hose.
40. Install the special tool to the RH cylinder head.
41. Remove and discard the 2 bolts for the catalytic converter.
42. Install the special tool to the LH cylinder head.
43. Install the special tools to support the engine assembly.
44. Install the special tools to the LH (front) cylinder head.
45. Install the special tools to the RH (rear) cylinder head.
46. Install the special tools into the lifting hook near the EGR valve.
47. Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the retainers and position the hose aside.
48. Remove the 4 bolts retaining the power steering line to the subframe.
49. Disconnect the wire harness from the LH front of the subframe.
50. Remove the bolts and nuts for the power steering rack. Using mechanic's wire, hold the power steering rack up and out of the way.
51. Disconnect the H02S electrical connector from the subframe.
52. Disconnect the 3 pushpins and position the splash shield aside.
53. Remove the nut for the front motor mount.
54. Remove the 2 bolts for the lower stabilizer mount.
55. Remove the nut for the rear motor mount.
56. Remove and discard the bolts for the rear transaxle mount.
57. Remove the 2 bolts for the LH rear subframe mount.
58. Remove the 2 bolts for the RH rear subframe mount.
59. Remove and discard the LH and RH stabilizer bar link nuts and separate the stabilizer bar links from the struts.
60. Using a suitable powertrain lift, remove the 4 subframe bolts and the subframe.
61. Disconnect the H02S electrical connector.
62. Remove the bolt for the catalytic converter bracket and remove the catalytic converter.
63. Remove the 2 pushpins and the rubber access plug.
64. Remove and discard the 4 torque converter nuts.
65. Disconnect the transmission fluid cooler tube bracket from the transaxle.
66. Disconnect the transmission fluid cooler tubes from the transaxle.
67. NOTE: Make sure that the transmission is securely fastened to the transmission jack.
Position a suitable high-lift transmission jack under the transmission.
68. Remove the 3 transaxle-to-engine bolts.
69. Remove the transaxle from under the vehicle.
70. If installing a new transaxle, the fluid cooler tubes will need to be backflushed and cleaned. Carry out transmission fluid cooler tube backflushing and cleaning.
71. If the transaxle is to be overhauled or if installing a new transaxle, a new transmission fluid cooler will need to be installed.
72. If installing a new transaxle, remove the rear transaxle mount.