GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 37096 Flywheel Holder

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.
  2. Remove the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.4L or Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.8L.

  3. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  4. Disconnect the wiring harness electrical connectors.
  5. Remove the transaxle range selector cable from the transaxle shift lever.
  6. Remove the transaxle range selector cable retainer from the cable.

  7. Object Number: 629687  Size: SH
  8. Remove the transaxle range selector cable from the transaxle.
  9. Remove the transaxle wiring grounds from the transaxle.

  10. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  11. Remove the upper transaxle bolts (3,4,5) and the stud (2).
  12. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.4L or Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L.
  13. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  14. Remove the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  15. Remove the left and the right engine splash shields. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side and Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side in Body Front End.
  16. Remove the frame from the vehicle. Refer to Frame Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  17. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.

  18. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  19. Install the J 37096 in order to gain access to the torque converter bolts and to prevent the flywheel from turning.

  20. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  21. Remove the torque converter bolts.
  22. Remove the transaxle oil cooler pipes from the transaxle. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
  23. Important: Position and secure the wheel drive shafts out of the way.

  24. Remove the left and the right wheel drive shafts from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  25. Secure the drive shafts to the steering knuckles.
  26. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
  27. Important: Ensure the transmission jack is properly secured to the transaxle.

  28. Position a transmission jack under the transaxle and secure the transmission jack to the transaxle.
  29. Remove the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  30. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  31. Remove the lower transaxle bolt (6) and the stud (1).
  32. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
  33. Transfer all necessary parts as needed.
  34. Flush the transmission cooler and lines. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .

Installation Procedure

    Important: Ensure the transaxle is secured properly to the transmission jack.

  1. Position the transaxle onto a transmission jack and secure the transaxle to the transmission jack.
  2. Install the transaxle into the vehicle.
  3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  4. Install the lower transaxle bolt (6) and the stud (1).
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and the stud to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  6. Install the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  7. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  8. Install the J 37096 in order to gain access to the torque converter bolts and to prevent the flywheel from turning.

  9. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  10. Install the torque converter bolts.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

  12. Install the wheel drive shafts into the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  13. Install the transaxle oil cooler pipes to the transaxle. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
  14. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  15. Install the frame to the vehicle. Refer to Frame Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  16. Connect the vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
  17. Install the left and the right engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side and Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side in Body Front End.
  18. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  19. Lower the vehicle.
  20. Remove the engine support fixture.

  21. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  22. Install the upper transaxle bolts (3, 4, 5) and the stud (2).
  23. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts and the stud to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  24. Install the transaxle wiring grounds and the nuts.
  25. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 45 N·m (33 lb ft).

  26. Connect the transaxle harness electrical connectors.

  27. Object Number: 629687  Size: SH
  28. Install the transaxle range selector cable to the transaxle range selector cable bracket.

  29. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  30. Install the automatic transaxle range selector cable retainer to the cable.
  31. Install the transaxle range selector cable to the transaxle shift lever.
  32. Install the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.4L or Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.8L.
  33. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.
  34. Notice: Refer to Transmission Overfill Notice in the Preface section.

  35. Fill the transaxle with automatic transmission fluid.
  36. Inspect for automatic transmission fluid leaks. Refer to Fluid Leak Diagnosis .
  37. 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.

  38. Reset the TAP values. Refer to Transmission Adaptive Functions .