Removal and Replacement

REMOVAL

NOTE: The transaxle can be removed from the vehicle without having to remove the engine.

The transaxle and torque converter must be removed as an assembly; otherwise, the torque converter drive plate, pump bushing, or oil seal may be damaged. The drive plate will not support a load; therefore, none of the weight of the transaxle should be allowed to rest on the plate during removal.
All transaxle components are serviced with the transaxle out of the vehicle. The components that are serviceable in the vehicle are:
- Axle shaft seals
- Back-up lamp switch
- End plate
- Extension housing
- Neutral safety switch
- Shift lever
- Transaxle oil pan
- Valve Body
- Vehicle speed sensor
1. Disconnect the battery.
2. Pull Power Distribution Center up and out of its holding bracket. Set Power Distribution Center aside to gain clearance.
3. Remove battery heat shield and remove battery from engine compartment. Remove battery tray from engine compartment. Disconnect cruise control (if equipped).
4. Remove vehicle speed sensor wiring.
5. Disconnect neutral safety switch and torque converter control wiring at transaxle.

CAUTION: Pry up with equal force on both sides of shifter cable isolator bushing to avoid damaging cable isolator bushing.

Fig. 22:

Fig. 23:

6. Disconnect gear shift cable end from transaxle shift lever (Fig. 22). Remove bracket bolt at transaxle (Fig. 23).

Fig. 24:

7. Remove throttle pressure control cable from lever. Then remove bracket bolts at the transaxle (Fig. 24).
8. Remove dipstick tube.

Fig. 25:

9. Remove transaxle cooler lines and plug lines (Fig. 25).

Fig. 26:

10. Remove throttle pressure control cable support bracket bolts. Remove upper bellhousing bolts and upper starter bolt (Fig. 26).

Fig. 27:

11. Install engine bridge fixture and support engine (Fig. 27).
12. Lift vehicle on hoist and remove front wheels.
13. Remove both front driveshafts.

CAUTION:
- When reinstalling driveshafts, new driveshaft retaining clips must be used. Do not reuse old clips. Failure to use new clips may result in disengagement of inner constant-velocity joint.
- The exhaust flex joint must be disconnected from the exhaust manifold anytime the engine is lowered. If the engine is lowered while the flex pipe is attached, damage will occur.

14. Remove bolts securing exhaust flex joint to exhaust manifold. Disconnect exhaust pipe from manifold.

Fig. 28:

15. Remove transaxle to rear lateral bending strut from engine and transaxle (Fig. 28).

Fig. 29:

16. Remove front engine bracket through-bolt. Remove front engine bracket bolts (Fig. 29).

Fig. 30:

17. Remove lower starter bolt (Fig. 30).
18. Remove lower dust shield screw.

Fig. 31:

Fig. 32:

19. Rotate engine clockwise to gain access to converter bolts (Fig. 31). Remove torque converter bolts (Fig. 32). Mark converter to flex plate for reassembly ease.
20. Support transaxle with a transmission jack.

Fig. 33:

Fig. 34:

21. Remove left mount through-bolt (Fig. 33). Remove left mount bolts from transaxle (Fig. 34).
22. Remove left transaxle mount from transaxle.
23. Remove rear engine bolt at transaxle.
24. Carefully work transaxle and torque converter assembly rearward off engine block dowels. Disengage converter hub from end of crankshaft. Attach a small C-clamp to edge of bellhousing. This will hold torque converter in place during transaxle removal. Lower transaxle and remove assembly from under the vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. To install transaxle, reverse removal procedure.
2. If torque converter was removed from transaxle, be sure to align pump inner gear pilot flats with torque converter impeller hub flats.
3. Adjust gearshift and throttle cables.
4. Refill transaxle with MOPAR ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid) type 9602.
5. Verify that vehicle's back-up lights and speedometer are functioning properly.