Removal Procedure
- Remove the air inlet duct. Refer to
Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement
in Engine Controls - 3.4L.
- Remove the engine mount struts. Refer to
Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Left Side
and
Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Right Side
in Engine Mechanical.
- Remove the shift cable bracket from the transmission.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the left front tire and wheel. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Remove the left engine splash shield. Refer to
Engine Splash Shield Replacement
in Body Front End.
- Remove the left tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to
Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement
in Power Steering System.
- Remove the left wheel speed sensor harness connector (2) and the harness (1) from the lower control
arm.
- Remove the left lower ball joint from the left steering knuckle. Refer to
Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement
in Front Suspension.
- Remove the left stabilizer . Refer to
Fastener Tightening Specifications
in Suspension.
- Reposition and secure the drive axle toward the rear of the vehicle.
- Remove the trans mount nuts at the frame.
Caution: Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion
stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or damage to the
intermediate shaft. This damage may cause loss of steering control which could
result in personal injury.
- Remove the intermediate shaft (1) from the steering gear (2). Refer to
Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement
in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt.
- Support the left side of the frame with a utility stand.
- Remove the left side frame bolts.
- Use the utility stand in order to lower the left side of the powertrain enough to gain access the case side cover bolts.
- Support the transmission with a transmission jack.
- Use the utility stand in order to lower the left side of the frame enough to access the case side cover lower bolts.
- Position the drain pan under the transaxle.
- Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness electrical connectors.
- Remove the case side cover bolts (56-58).
- Remove the case side cover pan (53).
If not replacing the side cover, steps 24, 25, 26, and 27 are not required.
- Remove the case side cover gasket (54).
- Remove the case side cover inner gasket (59).
- Inspect the case side cover (53) for the following conditions:
• | Damaged or porous gasket sealing surfaces |
• | Damaged or porous casting surfaces |
• | Damaged or stripped bolt holes |
- Inspect the case side cover gasket (54) and case side cover inner gasket (59) for damage. The gaskets are reusable if they are NOT damaged.
- Clean the case side cover gasket surfaces.
Installation Procedure
- If replacing with new side cover, install the case side cover inner gasket (59).
- Install the case side cover gasket (54).
- Install the case side cover pan (53).
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the case side cover bolts (56-58).
Tighten
Tighten the case side cover bolts (56-58) to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
- Install the transaxle mount bracket. Refer to
Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement
.
- Connect the transaxle wiring harness connectors.
- Partially raise the frame enough to engage the intermediate shaft to the steering gear.
Caution: When installing the intermediate shaft make sure that the shaft is seated
prior to pinch bolt installation. If the pinch bolt is inserted into the coupling
before shaft installation, the two mating shafts may disengage. Disengagement
of the two mating shafts will cause loss of steering control which could result
in personal injury.
- Install the intermediate shaft (1) to the steering gear (2). Refer to
Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement
in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt.
- Use the utility stand in order to raise the frame and powertrain until the frame insulators contact the chassis.
- Remove the transmission jack.
- Install the left drive axle to the transaxle. Refer to
Transmission Replacement
.
- Remove the drain pan from under the transaxle.
- Install the left side frame bolts. Refer to
Front Frame Replacement
in Frame and Underbody.
- Remove the utility stand support from the left side of the frame.
Important: Ensure the ball joint is in position with the steering knuckle, intermediate shaft is in position with the steering gear, and the transaxle studs are aligned to the frame.
- Install the left lower ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to
Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement
.
- Install the left stabilizer link. Refer to
Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement
.
- Install the trans mount nuts at the frame.
Tighten
• | Tighten the front frame bolts to 155 N·m (114 lb ft). |
• | Tighten the rear frame bolts to 240 N·m (177 lb ft). |
- Install the wheel speed sensor harness connector (2) and harness (1) to the lower control arm.
- Install the left tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to
Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement
in Front Suspension.
- Install the left engine splash shield. Refer to
Engine Splash Shield Replacement
in Body Front End.
- Install the left front tire and wheel. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Wheels and Tires.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Install the engine mount struts. Refer to
Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Left Side
and
Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Right Side
in Engine Mechanical.
- Install the air inlet duct. Refer to
Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement
in Engine Controls - 3.4L.
- Install the shift cable bracket.
Notice: Do NOT overfill the transaxle. The overfilling of the transaxle
causes foaming, loss of fluid, shift complaints, and possible damage to the
transaxle.
- Adjust the fluid level. Refer to the following procedures:
- Inspect for fluid leaks.