Manual Transmission/Transaxle: Service and Repair

Fig. 4 Disengaging Front Drive Axle Snap Rings:

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Disconnect clutch cable from release lever and bracket.
3. Disconnect electrical connectors from transaxle, then remove wiring harness to transaxle retaining brackets.
4. Disconnect speedometer cable from transaxle.
5. Remove upper transaxle attaching bolts.
6. Remove starter motor as described under STARTING AND CHARGING SYSTEMS/STARTING SYSTEMS/COMPONENT REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR PROCEDURES/STARTER.
7. Disconnect vacuum hose from pressure sensor.
8. Install an engine support fixture, then raise and support vehicle.
9. Drain lubricant from transaxle.
10. Disconnect gear shift control lever from gear shift shaft.
11. Remove extension rod nut, then remove extension rod with washers.
12. Remove attaching nuts and bolts, then remove exhaust pipe.
13. Remove clutch housing lower cover.
14. Remove left front wheel and tire assembly.
15. Disconnect left tie rod end and ball joint from steering knuckle.
16. Separate drive axles from transaxle, Fig. 4. Support drive axles from chassis using wire.
17. Remove lower transaxle to engine attaching bolts and nuts.
18. Support transaxle using a jack.
19. Remove two rear engine mounting nuts, then remove transaxle left hand mounting bracket attaching nuts and bolts and bracket.
20. Lower transaxle and engine assembly to disconnect assembly from stud bolts at rear engine mounting, the pull transaxle outward toward left hand side to disconnect input shaft from clutch assembly.
21. Lower transaxle, then remove from vehicle.
22. Reverse procedure to install. Lubricate splines of transaxle input shaft and pilot bearing surface and release bearing with lithium wheel bearing grease. When installing transaxle, guide right drive axle into transaxle as it is raised into vehicle. Torque transaxle to engine bolts to 44 ft. lbs.