A: To remove the transmission assembly, start by disconnecting the cable from the negative battery terminal and loosening the front wheel lug nuts. Remove the engine cover and the air inlet duct from the throttle body and air cleaner housing. Label and disconnect all transmission assembly wiring and grounds accessible from the top. Use a screwdriver to pry the transmission assembly shifter cable from the lever on top of the transmission assembly and move it out of the way. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Attach an engine support fixture or hoist to the engine and raise it to support its weight. Remove the upper transmission assembly-to-engine bolts, front wheels, and inner fender splash shields. Remove the subframe, starter, torque converter bolt access cover, and drive plate-to-torque converter bolts. Disconnect the transmission assembly cooler lines and remove both driveaxles. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor and support the transmission assembly with a jack. Remove the lower transmission assembly-to-engine mounting bolts and slide the transmission assembly away from the engine before lowering it. To install the transmission assembly, ensure the torque converter is completely seated and apply grease to the nose of the converter. Make sure the transmission assembly seats against the engine completely before tightening the bolts. Tighten all bolts to the specified torque. Also, tighten the subframe mounting bolts, intermediate shaft pinch bolt, control arm balljoint-to-steering knuckle nuts, and tie-rod end-to-steering knuckle nuts to the torque specifications. Securely tighten the transmission assembly mounting fasteners and the wheel lug nuts. Check and adjust the front-end alignment if necessary. Adjust the Shift Cable and check the transmission assembly fluid level, adding fluid as needed.
Q: What Steps Should Be Taken When Diagnosing Automatic Transaxle Problems, and Why Should Transaxle Removal Be Avoided Without Proper Assessment?
A: When a fault occurs, the first step is to determine if it is of electrical, mechanical or hydraulic origin before attempting any repairs. For this reason, an understanding of the transmission assembly's operation and design as well as access to specialized test equipment are necessary. Consequently, problems with the transmission assembly cannot be diagnosed using this manual. Therefore, all vehicle owners having issues with their transmission systems should direct them to Dealer Service Department or Qualified Repair Facility for evaluation. Similarly though a faulty transmission assembly should not be removed without being examined by an informed technician with appropriate tools because troubleshooting has to be performed in vehicle installation of the drive train.