GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 21366 Converter Holding Strap

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Drain the transmission fluid. Refer to Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Replacement .
  3. Remove the transmission oil level indicator tube and seal from the transmission. Refer to Filler Tube Replacement .
  4. Plug the oil level indicator tube opening in the transmission.
  5. Remove the shift cable end from the transmission shift lever ball stud. Refer to Shift Cable Replacement .
  6. If equipped with a transfer case, remove the front propeller shaft. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  7. Remove the rear propeller shaft. Refer to Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  8. Plug the transmission oil cooler line connectors in the transmission case.
  9. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  10. Support the transmission with a transmission jack.

  11. Object Number: 408374  Size: SH
  12. Remove the torque converter access plug.
  13. Remove the flywheel to torque converter bolts. Refer to Flywheel to Torque Converter Bolt Replacement .

  14. Object Number: 408532  Size: SH
  15. Remove the two bolts and nut securing the transmission rear mount to the transmission.

  16. Object Number: 394459  Size: SH
  17. Remove the two bolts securing the heat shield to the transmission.

  18. Object Number: 396800  Size: SH
  19. Remove the transmission vent hose, fuel lines, and the wiring harness from the transmission.

  20. Object Number: 394448  Size: SH
  21. Remove the stud and the bolt securing the transmission to the engine.

  22. Object Number: 394446  Size: SH
  23. Remove the six studs and one bolt securing the transmission to the engine.
  24. Install the J 21366 onto the transmission bell housing to retain the torque converter.
  25. Pull the transmission straight back.
  26. Remove the transmission from the vehicle.
  27. Flush the transmission oil cooler and cooling lines when you remove the transmission. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the J 21366 onto the transmission bell housing to retain the torque converter.
  2. Support the transmission with a transmission jack.
  3. Raise the transmission into place and remove the J 21366 from the transmission.
  4. Slide the transmission straight onto the locating pins while lining up the marks on the flywheel and the torque converter.
  5. The torque converter must be flush onto the flywheel and rotate freely by hand.

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 394446  Size: SH
  6. Install six studs and one bolt securing the transmission to the engine.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the studs and the bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).


    Object Number: 394448  Size: SH
  8. Install the stud and bolt securing the transmission to the engine.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the stud and the bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  10. Install the flywheel to torque converter bolts. Refer to Flywheel to Torque Converter Bolt Replacement .

  11. Object Number: 408374  Size: SH
  12. Install the torque converter access plug.

  13. Object Number: 396800  Size: SH
  14. Install the transmission vent hose, fuel lines, and the wiring harness to the transmission.

  15. Object Number: 394459  Size: SH
  16. Install the two bolts securing the heat shield to the transmission.
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).


    Object Number: 408532  Size: SH
  18. Install the two bolts and nut securing the transmission rear mount to the transmission.
  19. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts and nut to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  20. Remove the transmission jack from the transmission.
  21. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  22. Unplug the transmission oil cooler line connectors in the transmission case.
  23. Connect the transmission oil cooler lines to the transmission. Refer to Oil Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
  24. If equipped with a transfer case, install the front propeller shaft. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  25. Install the rear propeller shaft. Refer to Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  26. Install the shift cable end to the transmission shift lever ball stud. Refer to Shift Cable Replacement .
  27. Unplug the oil level indicator tube opening in the transmission.
  28. Install the transmission oil level indicator tube and seal to the transmission. Refer to Filler Tube Replacement .
  29. Tighten the oil pan bolts and fill the transmission with transmission fluid. Refer to Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Replacement .
  30. Important: It is recommended that the transmission adaptive pressure (TAP) information be reset.

    Resetting the TAP values using a scan tool will erase all learned values in all cells. As a result, the ECM, PCM or TCM will need to relearn the TAP values. Transmission performance may be affected as new TAP values are learned,

  31. Reset the TAP values. Refer to Adapt Function .
  32. Lower the vehicle.