Removal
Transmission Removal
Special Tool(s)
NOTE: If the transmission is to be removed for a period of time, support the engine with a safety stand and a wood block.
All vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms can occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The customer needs to be notified that they may experience slightly different upshifts (either soft or firm) and this is a temporary condition that will eventually return to normal operating condition.
Disconnect the battery ground cable.
4.0L SOHC Vehicles
3. Remove the fluid level indicator tube bolt and remove the tube and indicator.
All Vehicles
4. If transmission disassembly is required, drain the transmission fluid.
4x4 Vehicles
5. Remove the transfer case.
All vehicles
6. To maintain initial driveshaft balance, mark the driveshaft yoke and axle flange so they can be installed in their original alignment.
7. Remove the rear driveshaft.
1. Remove the four bolts.
2. Remove the driveshaft.
8. Remove the starter motor.
2.3L engine
9. CAUTION: When removing the torque converter nuts, the crankshaft must be rotated only in the clockwise direction, otherwise engine damage can occur. The crankshaft, crankshaft sprocket and the pulley are fitted together by friction between the flange faces on each part. For that reason, the crankshaft sprocket can also be moved when the crankshaft pulley is turned in the counterclockwise direction.
NOTE: It may be necessary to gain access to the flexplate nuts through the wheel well.
NOTE: Mark the torque converter and the flexplate for correct alignment at reinstallation.
Remove and discard the four torque converter nuts.
^ Rotate the flexplate to access all the nuts.
3.0L and 4.0L SOHC engines
10. NOTE: Mark the torque converter and the flexplate for correct alignment at reinstallation.
Remove the four nuts.
^ Rotate the flexplate to access to all the nuts.
11. Disconnect the shift cable.
1. Disconnect the shift cable from the manual control lever.
2. Disconnect the shift cable from the bracket.
12. Disconnect the transmission wiring harness from the case.
1. Remove the wiring harness from the shift cable bracket.
2. Remove the shift cable retainer from the case.
13. Disconnect the transmission wiring harness.
1. Disconnect the transmission connector.
2. Disconnect the Intermediate Shaft Speed (ISS) sensor.
3. Disconnect the digital Transmission Range (TR) sensor connector.
4. Disconnect the Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor.
14. Remove the three way catalytic converter.
2.3L engine
15. Remove the rear engine cover plate.
All vehicles
16. CAUTION: Care should be taken not to bend or damage the cooler lines.
Hold the case fitting and remove the transmission cooler lines.
17. Remove the nuts.
18. CAUTION: Do not allow the transmission to hang freely.
Position the High-Lift Transmission Jack under the transmission. Raise and support the transmission.
4x4 vehicles
19. Remove the crossmember.
1. Remove the six bolts (three each side).
2. Remove the crossmember.
4x2 vehicles
20. Remove the crossmember.
^ Remove the six bolts (three each side).
^ Remove the crossmember.
All vehicles
21. Remove the transmission mount.
1. Remove the screws.
2. Remove the transmission mount.
2.3L engine
22. If equipped, remove the rear vibration damper.
2.3L and 3.0L engines
23. Remove the transmission upper fill tube.
1. Remove the screw.
2. Disconnect the transmission upper fill tube.
24. NOTE: Lower the High-Lift Transmission Jack to gain access to screws.
Remove the screws.
2.3L engine
25. Remove the lower screws.
26. Remove the HO2S connector bracket from the transmission.
4.0L engine
27. NOTE: Lower the High-Lift Transmission Jack to gain access to screws.
Remove the screws.
4x4 vehicles
28. Remove the vent tube assembly.
All vehicles
29. WARNING: The torque converter is heavy and may result in injury if it falls out of the transmission. Secure the torque converter in the transmission. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
Install the special tool before lowering the transmission from the vehicle.
30. WARNING: Secure the transmission to the transmission jack with a safety chain. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
Lower the transmission.
31. If the transmission is being overhauled or if installing a new or remanufactured transmission, carry out transmission fluid cooler backflushing and cleaning. Transmission Fluid Cooler and Tubes - Backflushing and Cleaning