Removal and Replacement

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

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect battery.
2. Remove wiper blades.
3. Remove right and left wiper module covers.
4. Remove steel cowl/strut support.

CAUTION: Be careful of sharp edges around cowl/wiper area.

5. Remove engine air inlet tube.
6. Remove transaxle harness connectors at cowl area.
7. Remove upper bell housing stud nuts from bell housing studs. Detach heater hose tube and throttle body support bracket.
8. Remove upper bell housing studs.
9. Lift vehicle on hoist.
10. Loosen clamps at intersection of rear exhaust system to front catalytic converter pipes.
11. Separate rear exhaust from left catalytic converter pipe and right extension pipe.
12. Remove rear exhaust system.
13. Remove nuts retaining exhaust pipes to transmission mount.
14. Loosen clamp at right extension at right catalytic converter. Remove right extension.





15. Disconnect crankshaft position sensor connector and remove sensor. The sensor is located on the upper right side of the transaxle bell housing.
16. Remove dipstick tube.
17. Disconnect the gear selector cable from the transaxle.
18. Disconnect transmission range sensor connector. Disconnect input and output speed sensor connector.
19. Disconnect and plug transaxle cooler lines at the transaxle.
20. Remove lower control arm pinch bolts.
21. Pry lower control arms down and out of steering knuckles.

CAUTION: Do not allow drive shaft or CV joint to hang freely. Internal joint damage may occur if allowed to hang freely.

CAUTION: Drive shaft retainer clips and seals located on the stub shafts must be replaced before reinstalling drive shafts.





22. Using a pry bar, disconnect the inner tripod joints from the transaxle (Fig. 49).
23. Pull bottom of knuckles and drive shafts outward to allow clearance during transaxle removal. The drive shafts do not have to be completely removed from the vehicle. Do not allow the inner tripod joints to hang unsupported or joint damage may occur.
24. Disconnect 02 sensor wiring and remove left catalytic converter pipe.
25. Unbolt starter assembly. Do not disconnect wiring or completely remove the starter from the vehicle. Allow the starter to sit between the engine and the frame.
26. Remove engine oil pan collar.
27. Remove torque converter bolts. The torque converter is indexed to the flex plate. Mark the torque converter location to ensure that the torque converter is reinstalled correctly.

CAUTION: The drive plate to torque converter bolts and the drive plate to crankshaft bolts must not be reused. Install new bolts whenever these bolts are removed.

28. Place a transmission jack under the transaxle. Secure the transaxle to the jack.
29. Raise transaxle slightly to relieve the weight on the rear transaxle mount.

NOTE: Bolts for the crossmember bridge are different lengths, side to side.

30. Remove rear crossmember bridge bolts.
31. Remove rear mount adapter plate mounting bolts.
32. Remove the rear crossmember bridge, mount, and adapter plate as an assembly.
33. Lower the rear of the transaxle to gain access to the bell housing bolts.
34. Remove side bell housing bolts.
35. Remove dipstick tube from transaxle. Be prepared to plug the dipstick hole when removing dipstick to prevent fluid from spilling out of the transaxle.
36. Remove connector on top of transaxle for solenoid pack.
37. The transaxle can now be lowered from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. When installing transaxle, reverse the above procedure.

CAUTION: To prevent damage to the structural collar, hand tighten all fasteners. This will ensure at the collar is flush against transmission and pan before torquing to specifications.

2. If the torque converter is being replaced, apply a light coating of grease to the crankshaft pilot hole.
3. Inspect the drive plate for cracks before stalling transaxle. If any cracks are found lace the drive plate. Do not attempt to repair a eked drive plate.

CAUTION: The bolts for the torque converter are a new short-headed design. Bolts from previous year vehicles cannot be used.

4. Always use new torque converter to drive plate bolts.

NOTE: If the transaxle assembly, TCM, solenoid pack or clutch plates have been replaced, refer to Quick Learn Procedure. This program will allow the transmission control module to compensate for any parts replaced in the electronic transaxle system.

5. Check and/or adjust gearshift cable.
6. Refill transaxle with MOPAR ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid) Type 9602, or equivalent.