Transaxle Removal
TRANSAXLE REMOVAL
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. See Lifting.
2. Remove the air cleaner assembly. See - Service and Repair.
3. Remove the battery tray. See Service and Repair.
4. Remove the wiring harness bracket nut.
5. Disconnect the reverse switch and vehicle speed sensor (VSS) connectors.
6. Disconnect the shift cables.
7. Remove the 3 shift cable bracket bolts. Position the bracket and shift cables aside.
8. Position the clutch hydraulic tube aside.
a. Remove the clutch hydraulic tube bracket-to-transaxle bolt.
b. Disconnect the clutch hydraulic tube from the clutch slave cylinder.
i. Plug the hydraulic tube.
c. Position the clutch hydraulic tube aside.
CAUTION:Do not spill brake fluid on painted or plastic surfaces or damage to the surface may occur. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash the surface with water.
9. Using the Engine Support Bar and Adapters, support the engine.
10. Remove the 3 LH transaxle support insulator bracket nuts. Loosen, but do not remove the through bolt.
11. Remove the transaxle rear support insulator bolt and the 2 nuts.
12. Remove the RH engine mount bolt.
13. Remove the 3 upper transaxle-to-engine bolts.
CAUTION:Do not use heat to loosen a seized wheel nut or damage to the wheel and wheel bearing can occur.
14. Remove the wheel and tire. See Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview.
15. Remove the 6 LH splash shield screws.
16. Remove the LH lower splash shield.
a. Remove the 6 screws and a pushpin.
b. Remove the LH splash shield.
17. Remove the crossmember.
a. Remove the bolts.
b. Remove the crossmember.
18. Remove the 3 front-to-aft crossmember bolts.
19. Remove the LH transaxle support insulator through bolt.
20. Remove the front-to-aft crossmember and the LH transaxle support insulator.
21. Remove the transaxle right support insulator through bolt and the mount.
22. Remove the starter motor assembly. See - Testing and Inspection or - Service and Repair.
23. Disconnect the LH stabilizer bar link.
24. Using the Ball Joint Separator, disconnect the LH tie rod-end.
25. Separate the LH lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
a. Remove the pinch bolt and nut.
b. Separate the lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
26. Remove the clip, then disconnect the brake hose.
27. Remove the bolt and position the ABS wire aside.
28. Using the Slide Hammer with the Halfshaft (Plate) Remover, remove the LH front drive halfshaft from the differential.
- Support the halfshaft with a length of mechanic's wire.
29. Disconnect the RH stabilizer bar link.
30. Using the Ball Joint Separator, disconnect the RH tie-rod end.
31. Separate the RH lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
a. Remove the pinch bolt and nut.
b. Separate the lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
32. Remove the clip, then disconnect the brake hose.
33. Remove the bolt and position the ABS wire aside.
34. Using a brass drift to strike the RH halfshaft in the indicated area, separate and remove the RH halfshaft from the intermediate shaft.
- Support the halfshaft with a length of mechanic's wire.
35. Remove the 2 intermediate shaft retaining nuts.
- Remove the heat shield and intermediate shaft.
36. Working in the engine compartment, use the special tool to raise the engine up 25.4 mm (1.0 in), lowering the transaxle side downward.
37. Remove 2 lower transaxle-to-engine bolts.
38. Position the transaxle jack under the transaxle.
WARNING:Secure the assembly to the jack. Avoid any obstructions while lowering and raising the jack. Contact with obstructions may cause the assembly to fall off the jack, which may result in serious personal injury.
39. Remove the remaining 4 transaxle-to-engine bolts.
40. Remove the transaxle.