GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 36850 Transjel Lubricant

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the air cleaner outlet duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.9L engine
  2. Remove the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement .

  3. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  4. Remove the shift cable from the transaxle range selector.
  5. Remove the transaxle shift cable bracket bolts and the bracket from the transaxle.
  6. Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness connector.

  7. Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  8. Remove top side cover bolt (56, 58).
  9. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture for the 3.9L engine.
  10. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  11. Remove the left front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  12. Remove the inner fender liner. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
  13. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness from retainers on lower control arm.
  14. Remove the left transaxle mount. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side .
  15. Remove the front cradle to radiator support brackets on each side.

  16. Object Number: 1229970  Size: SH
  17. Remove both stabilizer links from the stabilizer and reposition stabilizer to access steering gear- to-frame bolts. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .

  18. Object Number: 851655  Size: SH
  19. Remove the intermediate shaft to steering gear pinch bolt. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

  20. Object Number: 1229955  Size: SH
  21. Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts and support steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

  22. Object Number: 1237957  Size: SH
  23. Remove the left side ball stud from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
  24. Support the left frame rail with a jack stand.
  25. Remove the left two frame-to-body bolts.
  26. Lower the frame with jack stand and remove jack stand.
  27. Position the drain pan under transaxle side cover.

  28. Object Number: 1237354  Size: SH
  29. Remove the left drive axle from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  30. Secure the drive axle to the strut assembly.
  31. Lower the vehicle.
  32. Using the engine support fixture lower the engine assembly to access the transaxle case side cover.
  33. Raise the vehicle.
  34. Remove the transaxle mount bracket. Refer to Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement - Left Side .

  35. Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  36. Remove the remaining case side cover bolts (56, 57, 58).

  37. Object Number: 48208  Size: SH
  38. Remove the case side cover (53).
  39. Remove the case side cover gasket (54).
  40. Remove the case side cover O-ring (59).
  41. Clean the side cover gasket mating surfaces.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 48208  Size: SH
  1. Install the J 36850 to the case side cover O-ring (59).
  2. Install the O-ring (59) to the case side cover.
  3. Install the case side cover gasket (54).
  4. Install the case side cover (53).
  5. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  6. Install the case side cover bolts (56, 57, 58) except top bolt.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  8. Install the transaxle mount bracket. Refer to Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement - Left Side .
  9. Install the transaxle mount bracket bolts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 95 N·m (70 lb ft)

  11. Install a jack stand under the left frame rail and raise frame.
  12. Install and tighten the left side frame-to-body bolts.
  13. Install front cradle to radiator support brackets.

  14. Object Number: 1237354  Size: SH
  15. Install drive axle to transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  16. Install the left transaxle mount. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side .

  17. Object Number: 1237957  Size: SH
  18. Install the left side ball stud to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

  19. Object Number: 1229955  Size: SH
  20. Install the steering gear-to-frame bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

  21. Object Number: 851655  Size: SH
  22. Install the intermediate shaft to steering gear pinch bolt. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

  23. Object Number: 1229970  Size: SH
  24. Reposition the stabilizer bar and install the stabilizer links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  25. Install the wheel speed sensor harness to four retainers on the lower control arm.
  26. Install the inner fender liner. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
  27. Install the left front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  28. Lower the vehicle.
  29. Remove the engine support fixture.

  30. Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  31. Install the top case side cover bolt (56, 58).
  32. Tighten
    Tighten bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  33. Install the transaxle shift cable bracket and shift cable bracket bolts.
  34. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

  35. Install the transaxle shift cable to the transaxle range selector.
  36. Connect the transaxle wiring harness connector.
  37. Install the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement .
  38. Install the air cleaner outlet duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.9L engine
  39. Notice: Refer to Transmission Overfill Notice in the Preface section.

  40. Check and fill the transaxle as necessary.
  41. Inspect for fluid leaks.