Removal and Replacement
1. Drain transaxle fluid and clutch fluid into suitable containers.
2. Remove under cover.
3. On models equipped with turbocharged engine, remove air cleaner assembly.
4. On all models, remove battery and battery tray.
5. Disconnect clutch cable or tube, as equipped, from transaxle case.
6. Disconnect shift and select cables from transaxle case.
7. Disconnect back-up light switch electrical connector, speedometer cable and ground cable from transaxle case.
8. Disconnect starter motor wiring harness, then remove starter motor attaching bolts and the starter motor.
9. Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm.
10. Remove front driveshafts as follows:
a. Loosen ball joint stud nut, then break ball joint loose from steering knuckle using a suitable tool.
b. Loosen tie rod end stud nut, then disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle using a suitable tool.
c. On models equipped with driveshaft center bearing, remove bearing snap ring. Lightly tap tripot joint outer race to remove driveshaft from transaxle, then remove center bearing. Do not insert pry bar between transaxle case and driveshaft. Do not remove driveshaft from Birfield joint side.
d. On models less driveshaft center bearing, insert suitable pry bar between transaxle case and driveshaft, then pry driveshaft from transaxle. Do not pull on driveshaft and do not insert pry bar deep enough to damage oil seal.
e. On all models, secure driveshaft to body.
11. Remove bellhousing cover attaching bolts and the cover.
12. Support transaxle assembly with a suitable jack.
13. Remove transaxle mounting strut, then the mounting bracket bolt caps, bolts and the brackets.
14. Carefully lower transaxle assembly from vehicle.
15. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following torques: tie rod end stud nut, 11-25 ft. lbs.; ball joint stud nut, 42-52 ft. lbs.; transaxle mounting bracket-to-transaxle attaching bolts, 65-80 ft. lbs.; transaxle mounting bracket-to-body attaching bolts, 22-29 ft. lbs.; bellhousing cover attaching bolts, 7-9 ft. lbs.; starter motor attaching bolts, 20-25 ft. lbs.; filler and drain plugs, 22-25 ft. lbs.; transaxle-to-engine attaching bolts, 32-39 ft. lbs.; transaxle mounting strut-to-transaxle attaching bolts, 43-51 ft. lbs.; transaxle mounting strut-to-bracket attaching bolts, 33-43 ft. lbs.