Removal and Replacement

Transaxle - 3.0L














NOTE: Carry out the Transmission Fluid Cooler Backflushing and Cleaning procedure if the transaxle is being overhauled or if installing a new or remanufactured transaxle. For additional information, refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Backflushing and Cleaning .

NOTE: Carry out the Transmission Fluid Cooler Flow Test if the transaxle is being overhauled or if installing a new or remanufactured transaxle. For additional information, refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Component Tests and General Diagnostics.

All vehicles

1. Lubricate the torque converter pilot hub with grease.





2. Install the Torque Converter Retainer.





3. Position the transaxle in place.





4. Once the transaxle is in place, before bolting it to the engine, remove the Torque Converter Retainer.





5. Move the transaxle assembly toward the engine assembly and install the transaxle converter housing bolt.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).






6. Install the torque converter housing nut and the stud.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).






7. Install the 2 oil pan-to-transaxle bolts.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).






8. Position the transmission fluid cooler tubes in place. Install the transmission fluid cooler tubes in the transaxle by inserting the tube into the fitting until a click is heard/felt. Pull back to confirm connection is secure and install the transmission fluid cooler tube secondary latches.





9. Connect the Turbine Shaft Speed (TSS) sensor electrical connector.





10. Connect the transaxle vehicle harness electrical connector.





11. Connect the transaxle electrical wiring harness retainers to the main control cover stud bolts.





12. Install 4 new torque converter nuts.
- Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).






13. Install the access cover.





14. Position the transaxle support insulator bracket in place and install the 4 nuts.
- Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).






15. Using the Engine Support Bar and Adapters, raise the transaxle until the transaxle support insulator bracket lines up with the transaxle support insulator and install the through bolt.
- Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).






16. Remove the Engine Support Bar and Adapters.





17. Remove the Engine Lifting Brackets and the Universal Adapter Brackets from the cylinder heads.





All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles

18. Position the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) in place and install the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) bolt.
- Tighten to 70 Nm (52 lb-ft).






19. Install the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) bolts.
- Tighten to 70 Nm (52 lb-ft).






20. Install the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) support bracket and bolts.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).






21. NOTICE: Prior to installation, inspect the Catalyst Monitor Sensor (CMS) wiring harness for damage.

Install the RH catalytic converter and the 3 nuts.
- Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).


22. Connect the rear driveshaft to the PTU (Power Transfer Unit). Install the driveshaft bolts.
- Tighten to 37 Nm (27 lb-ft).






All vehicles

23. NOTE: AWD (All-Wheel Drive) shown, FWD (Front Wheel Drive) similar.
Install the lower support insulator.

1. Install the lower support insulator bolt and 2 nuts.
- Tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).

2. Install the damper, if equipped and the lower support insulator through bolt.
- Tighten to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).







24. Position the exhaust Y-pipe in place and install 6 new exhaust Y-pipe nuts.
- Install the 2 new 10-mm catalytic converter-to-exhaust exhaust Y-pipe spring nuts and alternately tighten RH side to LH side in sequence in 3 stages:
- Stage 1: Tighten to 5 Nm (44 lb-in).

- Stage 2: Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).

- Stage 3: Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).

- Tighten the 4 remaining exhaust Y-pipe nuts to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).






25. Connect the LH CMS (Catalyst Monitor Sensor) electrical connector.





26. Connect the RH CMS (Catalyst Monitor Sensor) electrical connector.





27. Install the lower front insulator mount bracket.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).






28. Position the cross brace in place and install the nut.
- Tighten to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).






29. Install the 2 bolts for the cross brace and the lower front insulator mount through bolt.
- Tighten the cross brace bolts to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).

- Tighten the lower front insulator mount through bolt to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).






30. Install the rear cross brace and 4 bolts.
- Tighten to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft).






31. Install the LH front halfshaft and intermediate shaft.

32. Install the LH splash shield, the retainer and the bolts.





33. Install the RH splash shield, the retainer and the bolts.





34. Install the front wheels and tires.

35. Install the 4 upper transaxle torque converter housing bolts.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).






36. Install the starter motor.

37. Position the selector lever cable and bracket in place and install the 2 retaining bolts.
- Tighten to 12 Nm (106 lb-in).






38. Connect the selector lever cable end to the manual control lever.





39. Install the selector lever cable retainer on the transaxle filler tube.





AWD (All-Wheel Drive) vehicles

40. Connect the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) vent hose to the transaxle filler tube bracket.





All vehicles

41. Install the Air Cleaner (ACL) and outlet pipe.

42. Install the battery tray and battery.

43. Fill the transaxle with clean transmission fluid.

44. Start the engine and move the range selector lever into each gear position.

45. Verify that the selector lever cable is correctly adjusted. The vehicle should start in PARK and NEUTRAL and the reverse lamps should illuminate in REVERSE. For additional information, refer to Automatic Transmission/Transaxle.

46. Using the scan tool with the engine running, check and make sure that the transmission is at normal operating temperature 85-93°C (185-200°F). Check and adjust the transmission fluid level and check for any leaks. If transmission fluid is needed, add transmission fluid in increments of 0.24L (0.5 pt) until the correct level is achieved.

47. If a new solenoid body is installed, the solenoid body strategy and solenoid body identification will need to be updated. For additional information, refer to Solenoid Body Strategy Solenoid Body Strategy.

48. If a replacement transaxle assembly is being installed or a new solenoid body is installed, the PCM will have to be reflashed with a new solenoid body strategy and identification data file. For additional information, refer to Solenoid Body Strategy Solenoid Body Strategy.

49. After completing the repairs, use the scan tool to perform the Misfire Monitor Neutral Profile Correction procedure, following the on-screen instructions.