Manual Transmission/Transaxle: Service and Repair

1. Drain transaxle fluid and clutch fluid into appropriate containers.
2. Remove undercover.
3. Remove air cleaner assembly.
4. 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 starter motor.
9. Remove undercover, if applicable.
10. Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm.
11. 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 with driveshaft center bearing, remove bearing snap ring. Lightly tap tripod joint outer race to remove driveshaft from transaxle, then remove center bearing. Do not insert pry bar between transaxle case and driveshaft or 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 or insert pry bar deep enough to damage oil seal.
e. Secure driveshaft to body.
12. Remove bellhousing cover attaching bolts and cover.
13. Support transaxle assembly with a suitable jack.
14. Remove transaxle mounting strut, then the mounting bracket bolt caps, bolts and brackets.
15. Carefully lower transaxle assembly from vehicle.
16. Reverse procedure to install, noting following:
a. Tighten tie rod end stud nut, ball joint stud nut and transaxle mounting bracket to transaxle attaching bolts to specification.
b. Tighten transaxle mounting bracket to body attaching bolts, bellhousing cover attaching bolts and starter motor attaching bolts to specification.
c. Tighten filler and drain plugs, transaxle to engine attaching bolts, transaxle mounting strut to transaxle attaching bolts, and transaxle mounting strut to bracket attaching bolts to specification.