Transmission Replacement (Removal)
Transmission Replacement^ Tools Required
- J 42055 Transmission Support Fixture
- J 42371 Hydraulic Clutch Line Separator
Removal Procedure
Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in Service Precautions.
Notice: When tilting down the rear of the driveline, observe the clearance between the rear of the engine and the composite dash panel. Do not allow the engine to rest unsupported against the composite dash panel, or vehicle damage may result.
Notice: When lowering and removing the rear of the driveline, observe the clearance between the rear of the transaxle assembly and the underbody to prevent damage.
Notice: When tilting down the rear of the driveline, insert a putty knife or similar tool between the shift control bracket on the driveline support assembly and the brake pipe retainer on the driveline tunnel wall to prevent damage.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the console.
3. Carefully pry off the shift control knob button.
4. Pry the shift control knob retainer out of the slots and remove the retainer.
5. Unscrew the shift control knob.
6. Grasp the sides of the shift control boot and apply light pressure in toward the shift control lever to begin to release the shift boot retaining tabs from the IP accessory trim plate.
7. Using light pressure, continue to release the remaining boot retaining tabs.
8. Lift the boot away from the trim plate and remove the boot.
9. Remove the IP accessory trim plate.
10. Remove the shift control closeout boot retaining nuts.
11. Remove the shift control closeout boot.
12. Remove the shift control assembly.
13. Remove the left IP lower insulator panel.
14. Remove the clutch master cylinder pushrod retainer.
15. Disconnect the clutch master cylinder pushrod from the clutch pedal.
16. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
17. Remove the clutch actuator cylinder hose from the hose retaining clip (at the rear of the engine).
18. Using the J 42371, depress the white circular release ring on the actuator cylinder hose and simultaneously pull lightly on the master cylinder hose to disconnect.
19. Protect both hose coupling ends from dirt and damage.
20. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies.
21. Remove the catalytic converter.
22. Tie off the muffler assemblies to the underbody to support out of the way.
23. Remove the driveline tunnel closeout panel.
24. Remove the rear transverse spring.
25. Support the lower control arm with a straight jack.
26. Disconnect the outer tie rod end from the suspension knuckle.
27. Remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolt.
28. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the suspension knuckle.
29. Remove the straight jack from the control arm.
30. Repeat steps 25 through 29 for the other side of the vehicle.
31. Assemble the J42055.
32. Install the J 42055 to a transmission jack.
33. Position and firmly secure the J 42055 with the transmission jack to the transmission.
34. Disconnect the wiring harness and brake pipe clip retainers from the rear suspension crossmember.
35. Remove the differential to transmission lower nut.
(Removing the nut at this time will aid in separating the differential from the transmission after the driveline has been removed from the vehicle.)
36. Remove the transaxle mount to rear crossmember nuts.
37. Position a transmission jack under the rear suspension crossmember and firmly secure the crossmember to the jack.
38. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, remove the rear suspension crossmember retaining nuts.
39. With the aid of an assistant, slowly lower the rear suspension crossmember away from the vehicle frame rails and remove the crossmember.
40. Remove the transaxle mount bracket to differential bolts.
41. Remove the transaxle mount with bracket.
(Removing the transaxle mount will allow for greater stability on a workbench after the driveline is removed.)
42. Using a pry bar, CAREFULLY release the axle shafts from the differential.
43. Tie off the axle shafts (1) to the underbody to support out of the way.
The muffler assembly pipes toward the rear offer a good location to help support the axle shafts (1).
44. Release the retainer (1) securing (and positioning) the wiring harness to the L-shaped brackets along the driveline support assembly, then slide the harness up out of the brackets and position out of the way.
45. SLOWLY lower the driveline approximately 5 cm (2 inch), while simultaneously adjusting the angle of tilt, in order to access the electrical connectors.
46. Disconnect the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) electrical connector.
47. Disconnect the wiring harness retainer from the stud at the differential rear cover.
48. Disconnect the wiring harness retainer clip from the top of the differential.
49. Disconnect the backup lamp switch electrical connector.
50. Disconnect the reverse lockout solenoid electrical connector.
51. Disconnect the gear select (skip shift) solenoid electrical connector.
52. Disconnect the transmission fluid temperature sensor electrical connector, if equipped.
53. Insert a putty knife, or similar tool, between the edge of the shifter bracket on the side of the driveline support assembly and the brake pipe retainer on the wall of the driveline tunnel.
54. SLOWLY lower the driveline, while simultaneously adjusting the angle of tilt, and observe the relationship between the top rear of the differential and the lowest part of the rear compartment panel floor (the center storage compartment between the frame rails); the differential should not be lowered more than approximately EVEN with the specified body point of reference.
(The engine Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) pipes which route along the rear of the engine intake manifold will likely contact the dash panel.)
55. Release the wiring harness from the harness retainer along the top of the transmission.
56. Check to be sure that the wiring harness is free from the driveline being removed.
57. Using a block of wood to protect the engine oil pan, place a straight jack under the rear of the engine oil pan to support the engine from stressing the composite dash panel.
58. Remove the five driveline support assembly to engine flywheel housing bolts.
59. Carefully bend the wiring harness bracket away from the driveline toward the driveline tunnel wall in order to make a clear removal path for the driveline.
Important: The aid of an assistant will be necessary for the remaining steps.
60. Have an assistant insert a flat bladed screwdriver, or similar tool, between the edge of the driveline support assembly and the engine flywheel housing, then begin to pry the driveline loose from the engine.
61. Have an assistant guide the front of the driveline during the removal of the driveline from the vehicle.
62. SLOWLY lower the driveline, while simultaneously adjusting the angle of tilt and pulling the driveline away from the engine UNTIL the propeller input shaft at the front of the driveline support assembly just clears the engine flywheel housing.
63. SLOWLY lower the driveline completely out of the vehicle.
64. Position the chainfall, or equivalent, of a lift device in a way which will protect the rear exhaust hangers located on the driveline support assembly.
65. Using the lift device, raise the driveline to relieve the weight from the transmission jack.
66. Disconnect the J 42055 from the transmission jack ONLY; the J 42055 will provide stability to the driveline components while working on a bench.
67. Position the driveline on a workbench with the lift device still attached.
68. Support the driveline support assembly and the differential for additional balance.
69. Remove the lift device from the driveline.
70. Remove the transmission to driveline support assembly bolts/studs.
71. Insert a flat bladed screwdriver, or similar tool, between the edge of the driveline support assembly and the transmission, then begin to pry the driveline support assembly loose from the transmission.
72. Slowly slide the driveline support assembly away from the transmission while guiding the transmission shift rod through the opening in the driveline support assembly.
73. Using a drift or punch, remove the roll pin (1) retaining the transmission shift rod to the transmission shift shaft.
74. Remove the transmission shift rod.
75. Remove the differential to transmission bolts and nuts.
76. SLOWLY slide the differential from the transmission.
77. Remove the transmission from the J 42055, if necessary.