Removal - Transaxle
Transaxle - Front Wheel Drive (FWD)Special Tool(s):
Removal
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Remove the battery and battery tray.
3. Remove the air cleaner and the outlet pipe.
4. Remove the cowl panel grille.
5. Remove the upper roll restrictor bolt.
6. Remove the 4 roll restrictor brace bolts and the roll restrictor brace.
7. Disconnect the shift cable end.
8. Remove the electrical connector from the shift cable bracket.
9. Remove the 2 bolts for the shift cable bracket and position the cable and bracket aside.
10. Disconnect the wire harness from the transaxle.
11. If equipped, remove the auxiliary coolant flow pump assembly.
1 Disconnect the electrical connector.
2 Remove the bolts and position the pump assembly aside.
12. Disconnect the lower wire harness from the transaxle.
13. Remove the 4 bolts and the roll restrictor bracket.
14. Disconnect the wire harness from the roll restrictor, remove the 2 bolts and remove the roll restrictor.
15. Remove the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hose.
16. Disconnect the vacuum hoses from the throttle body.
17. Remove the bolt for the power steering line bracket and position aside.
18. Remove the plastic electrical cover for the starter motor electrical connectors.
19. Disconnect the 2 starter motor electrical connectors.
20. Remove the 2 bolts for the starter and remove the starter.
21. Remove the fluid cooler tube bracket from the transaxle.
22. Disconnect the ground wire.
23. CAUTION: Do not touch the electrical connector pins. Electrostatic charge may occur and will cause damage to the mechatronic unit.
Disconnect the transaxle bulkhead electrical connector.
^ Rotate the electrical connector counterclockwise to disconnect.
24. Disconnect the wire harness from the transaxle.
25. Remove the 4 upper transaxle bolts.
26. If a transaxle exchange or overhaul is required, the transmission fluid must be drained.
^ Remove the drain plug and allow the fluid to drain.
27. Remove the LH and RH halfshafts.
28. If removed, install the drain plug.
^ Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
29. Remove and discard the 2 nuts for the front exhaust pipe.
30. Remove and discard the 2 nuts for the rear exhaust pipe.
31. Remove and discard the 2 nuts for the catalytic converter pipe, disconnect the rubber hanger and remove the pipe.
32. If equipped, disconnect the engine block heater electrical connector.
33. Position the heat shield for the knock sensor aside.
34. Remove the bolt and remove the knock sensor.
35. Disconnect the knock sensor wire harness from the transaxle.
36. Remove the transaxle-to-engine bolt.
37. Remove the bolt for the power steering hose.
38. NOTE: When installing the lifting bracket it will be easier to loosely install the upper bolt first, then install the lower bolt.
Install the lower half of the lifting hook.
39. Install the upper half of the lifting hook.
40. Disconnect the vapor tube from the canister purge valve.
41. Remove the bolt for the power steering hose.
42. Install the special tool to the RH cylinder head.
43. Remove and discard the 2 bolts for the catalytic converter.
44. Install the special tool to the LH cylinder head.
45. Install the special tools to support the engine assembly.
46. Install the special tools to the LH (front) cylinder head.
47. Install the special tools to the RH (rear) cylinder head.
48. Install the special tools into the lifting hook near the EGR valve.
49. Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the retainers and position the hose aside.
50. Remove the 4 bolts that hold the power steering line to the subframe.
51. Disconnect the wire harness from the LH front of the subframe.
52. Remove the bolts and nuts for the power steering rack. Use mechanic's wire to hold the power steering rack up to the side.
53. Disconnect the HO2S electrical connector from the subframe.
54. Disconnect the 3 pushpins and position the splash shield aside.
55. Remove the nut for the front motor mount.
56. Remove the 2 bolts for the lower stabilizer mount.
57. Remove the nut for the rear motor mount.
58. Remove the bolts for the rear transaxle mount.
59. Remove the 2 bolts for the LH rear subframe mount.
60. Remove the 2 bolts for the RH rear subframe mount.
61. Remove and discard the LH and RH stabilizer bar link nuts and separate the stabilizer bar links from the struts.
62. Using a suitable powertrain lift, remove the 4 subframe bolts and remove the subframe.
63. Disconnect the HO2S electrical connector.
64. Remove the bolt for the catalytic converter bracket and remove the catalytic converter.
65. Remove the 2 pushpins and remove the rubber access plug.
66. Remove and discard the 4 torque converter nuts.
67. CAUTION: When disconnecting the fluid cooler tubes, pull straight up to prevent damage to the fluid cooler tubes.
Disconnect the transmission fluid cooler tubes from the transaxle.
68. Remove and discard the 4 transmission fluid cooler tube seals.
69. Remove the transmission fluid cooler tube bracket bolts.
70. NOTE: Make sure that the transaxle is securely fastened to the transmission jack.
Position a suitable high-lift transmission jack under the transaxle.
71. Remove the 3 transaxle-to-engine bolts.
72. Remove the transaxle from under the vehicle.
73. If the transaxle is to be overhauled or if installing a new transaxle, install a new transmission fluid cooler.
74. If the transaxle is to be overhauled or if installing a new transaxle, carry out transmission backflushing and cleaning.
75. If removing the transaxle for something other than a transaxle related repair, inspect the differential seals for damage or leaking. If leaking or damage is indicated, install new differential seals.
76. If installing a new transaxle, remove the bolts and remove the rear transaxle support insulator.
77. If installing a new transaxle, remove and discard the 4 retainers and remove the transaxle insulator.
78. If installing a new transaxle, remove the bolt and remove the fluid level indicator and tube.
