Special Tools
J 36850
Transjel Lubricant
Removal Procedure
- Remove the engine dress cover.
- Disconnect the MAF sensor harness connector from the MAF and disconnect the air intake duct from throttle body.
- Disconnect the EVAP emission hose from the EVAP valve.
- Remove the shift cable from the transaxle range selector.
- Remove the transaxle shift cable bracket bolts and the bracket from the transaxle.
- Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness connector.
- Remove both engine supports from the engine and radiator support.
- Remove top side cover bolt (56, 58).
- Install the engine support fixture. Refer to
Engine Support Fixture
3.8L,
Engine Support Fixture
3.6L,
Engine Support Fixture
5.3L.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
.
- Remove the left front wheel. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
.
- Remove the inner fender splash shield.
- Remove the wheel speed sensor harness from 4 retainers on lower control arm.
- Remove the transmission mount-to-frame nuts (2).
- Using side cutters, remove the plastic pencil-like support on the left side of the front splash shield, just below the left front frame bolt.
- Remove the front cradle to radiator support brackets on each side.
- Remove both stabilizer links from the stabilizer and reposition stabilizer to access steering gear- to-frame bolts.
- Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts and support steering gear.
- Remove the positive battery cable center retainer at front rail.
- Remove the left side ball joint from the steering knuckle.
- Support the left frame rail with a jack stand.
- Remove only the left two frame-to-body bolts. DO NOT LOOSEN RIGHT SIDE FRAME-TO-BODY BOLTS.
- Lower the frame with jack stand and remove jack stand.
- Position the drain pan under transaxle side cover.
- Remove the left drive axle from the transaxle. Refer to
Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement
.
- Secure the drive axle to the strut assembly.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Using the engine support fixture lower the engine assembly to access the transaxle case side cover.
- Raise the vehicle.
- Remove the transaxle mount bracket bolts and the bracket from the transaxle.
- Remove the remaining case side cover bolts (56, 57, 58).
- Remove the case side cover (53).
- Remove the case side cover gasket (54).
- Remove the case side cover O-ring (59).
- Clean the side cover gasket mating surfaces.
Installation Procedure
- Install the
J 36850
to the case side cover O-ring (59).
- Install the O-ring (59) to the case side cover.
- Install the case side cover gasket (54).
- Install the case side cover (53).
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the case side cover bolts (56, 57, 58) except top bolt.
Tighten
Tighten bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
- Install the transaxle mount bracket.
- Install the transaxle mount bracket bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 95 N·m (70 lb ft).
- Install a jack stand under the left frame rail and raise frame while aligning transaxle mount bolts with frame and ball joint with the steering knuckle.
- Install and tighten the left side frame-to-body bolts (2).
- Install front cradle to radiator support brackets and bolts to both sides.
- Install drive axle to transaxle.
- Install transaxle mount nuts (2).
- Install the ball joint nut and cotter pin.
- Install the steering gear-to-frame bolts.
- Install the positive battery cable center retainer on front frame rail.
- Reposition the stabilizer bar and install bolts to stabilizer.
- Install the wheel speed sensor harness to four retainers on the lower control arm.
- Install the inner fender splash shield.
- Install the left front wheel. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
.
- Lower the vehicle and remove the engine support fixture.
- Install the top case side cover bolt.
Tighten
Tighten bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
- Install the transaxle shift cable bracket and shift cable bracket bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
- Install the transaxle shift cable to the transaxle range selector.
- Connect the transaxle wiring harness connector.
- Install the air intake duct and connect the MAF sensor wiring harness.
- Install the EVAP hose to EVAP valve.
- Install the engine dress cover.
Notice: Do NOT overfill the transaxle. The overfilling of the transaxle
causes foaming, loss of fluid, shift complaints, and possible damage to the
transaxle.
- Check and fill the transaxle as necessary.
- Inspect for fluid leaks.