Removal
Transaxle
All vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Jacking and Lifting Service and Repair.
2. Remove the Air Cleaner (ACL) and the outlet pipe. For additional information, refer to Intake Air Distribution and Filtering - 3.5L Air Cleaner and Air Cleaner Outlet Pipe.
3. Remove the starter motor. For additional information, refer to Starting System Service and Repair.
4. Remove the upper intake manifold. For additional information, refer to Engine - 3.5L Upper Intake Manifold.
5. Disconnect the selector lever cable end.
6. Remove the 2 bolts and the nut for the selector lever cable bracket and position the cable and bracket aside.
7. Disconnect the wire harness from the Transmission Control Module (TCM).
8. Disconnect the wiring harness fasteners from the torque converter housing stud bolt and the starter motor.
9. Remove the 2 ground strap bolts and position aside the ground straps.
10. Remove the 4 upper torque converter housing bolts.
11. Install the Engine Lift Eye on the LH cylinder head.
12. Install the Engine Support Bar and Engine Spreader Bar to support the engine.
13. Remove the transaxle support insulator through bolt.
14. Using the Engine Support Bar, lower the transaxle and remove the 2 transaxle support insulator bracket nuts, the bolt and the bracket.
15. If a transaxle exchange or overhaul is required, the transmission fluid must be drained.
- Remove the transmission drain plug and allow the transmission fluid to drain.
16. If removed, install the transmission fluid drain plug.
- Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).
17. Remove the 4 screws and position the RH fender splash shield aside.
18. Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) and the RH splash shield.
19. Remove the 4 screws and position the LH fender splash shield aside.
20. Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) and the LH splash shield.
21. Remove the LH halfshaft. For additional information, refer to Front Drive Halfshafts Front Drive Halfshafts.
Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
22. Remove the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to Exhaust System Service and Repair.
23. Remove the RH intermediate shaft. For additional information, refer to Front Drive Halfshafts Intermediate Shaft.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles
24. Remove the PTU. For additional information, refer to Transfer Case - Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Removal and Replacement.
All vehicles
25. NOTE: Front Wheel Drive (FWD) shown, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) similar.
Remove the 2 roll restrictor bracket bolts.
26. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.
Remove the cotter pins and nuts from the tie-rod ends.
27. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.
Using the Tie-Rod End Remover, separate the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckles.
28. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.
Remove the nuts and separate the stabilizer bar links from the struts.
29. Remove the 3 power steering return line bolts.
30. Remove the 3 steering gear mounting bolts.
31. NOTICE: Use care when handling the steering gear to avoid unseating the steering gear/dash seal. If the steering gear/dash seal becomes unseated, water and foreign material may enter the passenger compartment and damage to the vehicle interior can occur.
NOTE: The steering gear is not removed with the front subframe and must be positioned aside.
Position the steering gear aside using mechanic's wire.
32. Position the Powertrain Lift With Tilting Plate under the subframe assembly.
33. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.
Remove the 4 subframe bracket-to-body bolts.
34. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.
Remove the 2 rear subframe nuts and the 2 subframe brackets.
35. NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.
Remove the 2 front subframe nuts.
36. Lower the subframe assembly from the vehicle.
37. Remove the 2 fasteners and the inspection cover.
38. Remove and discard the 4 torque converter nuts.
39. Disconnect the transmission fluid cooler hoses from the transmission fluid cooler tubes.
40. Support the transaxle with a suitable transmission jack. Secure the transaxle to the transmission jack with a safety strap.
41. Remove the 7 torque converter housing bolts and remove the transaxle.
42. If installing a new transaxle, the transmission fluid cooler will need to be backflushed and cleaned. Carry out transmission fluid cooler tube backflushing and cleaning. For additional information, refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler - Backflushing and Cleaning Transmission Fluid Cooler Backflushing and Cleaning.