1. Transaxle Removal (AF33-5)

TRANSAXLE REMOVAL (AF33-5)

^ TOOLS REQUIRED
- J 36346 Fascia Retainer Remover
- J 45341 Drive Axle Remover
- SA91100C
- SA9173G Slide Hammer





1. Record all preset radio stations.

CAUTION: DO NOT TIP BATTERY OVER A 45° ANGLE OR ACID COULD SPILL.

2. Remove battery.
2.1. Remove battery cover.
2.2. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2.3. Disconnect positive battery cable.
2.4. Loosen battery hold-down screw and remove battery.
3. Remove battery cooling box.





4. Remove battery tray bracket.
4.1. Loosen battery tray bracket screws and remove bracket.





5. Using Fascia Retainer Remover J36346, disconnect control cable from transaxle range switch assembly lever.
6. Disconnect control cable from control cable bracket.
7. Disconnect transaxle range switch harness connectors.
8. Disconnect input and output speed sensor harness connectors.
9. Disconnect harness from transaxle range switch stud and shifter cable bracket.
10. Remove positive battery cable from transaxle stud.
11. Remove headlamp fasteners and wire radiator to radiator core support to hold radiator in place as cradle is removed.





12. Install engine support tool.





13. Remove transaxle fluid level indicator assembly.





14. Remove upper left-hand transaxle mount bolts and remove mount.

CAUTION: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY WHEN A VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE END FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE BEING REMOVED.

15. Position vehicle on hoist and raise vehicle.





16. Remove both front wheels and tire assemblies.





17. Remove left side and right side inner splash shields.
(Left side shown, right side similar.)





18. Remove front air deflector-to-cradle pushpins.





19. Drain transaxle fluid.





20. Remove transaxle cooler line assembly nut from transaxle.
(VT25-E shown, AF33-5 similar.)
21. Remove transaxle cooler lines from transaxle.





IMPORTANT: Mark alignment position of PTU and drive shaft.

22. Disconnect drive shaft from power take-off unit (PTU) and support drive shaft. Mark alignment position of PTU and drive shaft.





23. Disconnect lower stabilizer nut from cradle on both sides of vehicle.
24. Remove rack and pinion bolts from cradle.





IMPORTANT: Discard used cotter pin.

25. Remove lower control arm ball stud cotter pin and nut.





26. Separate ball stud from knuckle.





NOTICE: Hold ball stud from turning while removing nut. The boot can be damaged if the ball stud rotates, discard used nut.

NOTICE: Do not use wedge type tool to separate joint. Damage to seal may occur.

27. Remove outer tie rod-to-knuckle nut.





28. Separate knuckle from tie rod on both sides of vehicle, using SA91 100C (or equivalent).





29. Remove front pitch restrictor bolts, through-bolt, and front pitch restrictor.





30. Remove rear pitch restrictor through-bolt from cradle.
31. Position support table under cradle.





32. Remove cradle bolts and lower cradle onto support table.





33. Using Drive Axle Remover J45341 and Slide Hammer SA9173G, separate left axle shaft from transaxle and tie strap out of the way.





NOTICE: Use caution not to damage seal protector (slinger).

NOTICE: Stub shaft may disengage from PUT. If this occurs, plug PTU stub shaft hole to prevent fluid loss.

34. Using Drive Axle Remover J45341 and Slide Hammer SA91736, separate right axle shaft from power take-off unit.





35. Remove PTU to engine bracket bolts and remove bracket.





36. Disconnect starter wiring harness.
37. Remove starter bolts and starter.
38. Turn crankshaft clockwise to gain access to torque converter-to-flexplate bolts.





39. Remove torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through starter hole.





40. Remove 3 lower transaxle-to-engine bolts.
41. Remove I engine-to-transaxle bolt located above the power take-off unit.
42. Lower vehicle and secure transaxle to transaxle jack or support table for separating engine and transaxle.
43. Remove 3 upper transaxle-to-engine bolts.

NOTICE: Torque converter has long pilot shaft. Do not put excessive load on shaft. Do not lower transaxle until shaft is clear of engine crankshaft.

IMPORTANT: Do not damage mating surfaces of engine or transaxle.

44. Separate transaxle from engine carefully.
45. Lower transaxle carefully from vehicle.
46. Remove PTU vent hose.





47. Remove power take-off unit bolts and separate power take-off unit from transaxle.





48. Remove stub shaft from transaxle if not already removed.