Removal of 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (AT)

PROCEDURE

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

If the vehicle is equipped with an audio system with an anti-theft code, make sure you have the correct code to activate the audio system before disconnecting the battery!
2. Remove the air intake hose and air cleaner housing (refer to Fuel and Exhaust Systems).
3. Remove the battery and battery tray (refer to Engine Electrical). Disconnect the ground strap from the transaxle case.
4. Disconnect the wiring, remove the mounting bolts and remove the starter motor assembly (refer to Engine Electrical).
5. Disconnect the wiring from the VSS and transmission control solenoid valves (refer to Transmission Position Switch Adjustment and Replacement and Transmission Control Solenoid Valve Inspection and Replacement).
6. Raise the vehicle and support it on safety stands. Remove the front wheels.
7. Support the engine from above with a hoist or a beam placed across the edges of the hood.
8. On 4-cylinder models, remove the bolts securing the engine mount bracket to the transaxle. On V6 models, remove the nut securing the front engine mount insulator to the bracket.
9. Remove the transaxle skid plate.
10. Drain the ATF from the transaxle. When reinstalling the drain plug, be sure to replace its sealing washer.

11. Disconnect the ATF cooler hoses.

12. Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) wiring (refer to Engine Control).
13. Remove the exhaust pipe (refer to Fuel and Exhaust Systems).
14. Disconnect the shock absorber forks from the suspension control arms (refer to Suspension and Steering).
15. Loosen the castle nuts on the ball joints and disconnect the lower control arms from the steering knuckles (refer to Suspension and Steering).
16. Disconnect the drive shafts from the final drive assembly (refer to Clutch and Drive Shafts). Cover the inner CV joint assemblies with plastic bags to protect them from contamination. Tie the drive shafts to suspension components with wire so they do not hang by the outer CV joints. Remove the intermediate shaft.
17. Remove the bolts from the right and left thrust rods and separate them from the suspension control arms (refer to Suspension and Steering).

18. Mark the position of the subframe relative to the body, and release the power steering hydraulic lines from the clips on the subframe.

19. On V6 models, remove the nuts securing the lower mounts to the subframe. Remove the mounting bolts and remove the subframe assembly from under the vehicle.

20. On V6 models, remove the bolts securing the engine support plate. On 4-cylinder models, remove the support assembly.

21. Remove the shift cable bracket (refer to Shift Cable Removal, Installation and Adjustment).
22. Remove the shift cable (refer to Shift Cable Removal, Installation and Adjustment).
23. Mark the position of the torque converter relative to the drive plate. During reassembly, the components must be installed in their original positions to avoid unbalancing.

24. Remove the bolts securing the torque converter to the drive plate one at a time. Rotate the crankshaft using the pulley to access each bolt.
25. Remove the two rear bolts securing the transaxle case to the engine block.

26. On 4-cylinder models, remove the bolts from the rear engine mount bracket.

27. On 4-cylinder models, remove the intake manifold mounting bracket (next to the rear engine mount bracket).
28. Remove the engine mounts from the transaxle (refer to Engine). On V6 models, remove the front engine mount bracket.
29. Support the transaxle with a jack (preferably a special jack), securing it to the jack head with a safety chain. Raise the assembly, fully unloading its mounts.

30. Loosen the mount bracket nuts and remove the remaining bolts securing the transaxle to the engine.

31. Remove any other chassis or suspension components that interfere with transaxle removal.
32. Move the jack rearward, removing the transaxle from the guide pins. Make sure the torque converter disengages from the drive plate. Secure the torque converter in the transaxle to prevent it from falling out during removal. Lower the transaxle and remove it from under the vehicle.

It may be necessary to slightly lower the hoist supporting the engine while lowering the transaxle to gain more working space.