GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 36850 Transjel Lubricant

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the engine site shield. Refer to the following:
  2. •  Intake Manifold Cover Replacement for the 3.5L engine
    •  Intake Manifold Cover Replacement for the 3.9L engine
    •  Upper Intake Manifold Sight Shield Replacement for the 5.3L engine
  3. Remove the air cleaner outlet duct. Refer to the following:
  4. •  Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.5L engine
    •  Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.9L engine
    •  Air Cleaner Resonator Outlet Duct Replacement for the 5.3L engine

    Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  5. Remove the transaxle shift cable from lever and bracket from the transaxle.
  6. Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness connector and disconnect the harness retainer from side cover stud.
  7. Remove the engine mount struts. Refer to the following:
  8. •  Engine Mount Strut Replacement for the 3.5L engine
    •  Engine Mount Strut Replacement for the 3.9L engine
    •  Engine Mount Strut Replacement for the 5.3L engine

    Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  9. Remove the top case side cover bolt (56, 58).
  10. Install the engine support fixture to support the engine/transaxle assembly. Refer to the following:
  11. •  Engine Support Fixture for the 3.5L engine
    •  Engine Support Fixture for the 3.9L engine
    •  Engine Support Fixture for the 5.3L engine
  12. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  13. Remove the left front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  14. Remove the left front fender liner. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
  15. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness from 4 retainers on the lower control arm.
  16. Remove the transmission mount-to-frame nuts. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side .
  17. Remove both stabilizer links and reposition stabilizer to access steering gear- to-frame bolts. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  18. Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts and support steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
  19. Remove the front splash shield.
  20. Remove the positive battery cable center retainer at front frame rail.
  21. Remove the left side ball joint and support the left frame rail with a jack stand.
  22. Remove ONLY the left two frame-to-body bolts. DO NOT LOOSEN right side frame-to-body bolts. Refer to Frame Replacement .
  23. Lower frame with a jackstand and remove jackstand.
  24. Position the drain pan under the transaxle.
  25. Remove the left drive axle from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  26. Secure the drive axle to the strut assembly.
  27. Lower the vehicle.
  28. Using the engine support fixture lower the engine assembly to access the transaxle case side cover.
  29. Raise the vehicle.

  30. Object Number: 161246  Size: SH
  31. Remove the transaxle mount bracket bolts and the bracket from the transaxle.

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

  34. Object Number: 48208  Size: SH
  35. Remove the case side cover (53).
  36. Remove the case side cover gasket (54).
  37. Remove the case side cover O-ring (59).
  38. 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), by first installing any 2 of the upper case side cover bolts (56, 58).
  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).
  7. Tighten
    Tighten bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 161246  Size: SH
  8. Install the transaxle mount bracket
  9. Install the transaxle mount bracket bolts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 95 N·m (70 lb ft)

  11. Install a jackstand under the left frame rail and raise frame while aligning transaxle mount bolts with frame and ball joint with steering knuckle.
  12. Install and tighten left side frame-to-body bolts. Refer to Frame Replacement .
  13. Install the drive axle to the transaxle.
  14. Remove the drain pan from under the transaxle.
  15. Install transaxle mount nuts. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side .
  16. Install the ball joint nut and cotter pin.
  17. Install steering gear-to-frame bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
  18. Install the positive battery cable center retainer on the front frame rail.
  19. reposition stabilizer bar and install both stabilizer links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  20. Install the front splash shield.
  21. Install the wheel speed sensor harness to 4 retainers on the lower control arm.
  22. Install the left front fender liner. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
  23. Install the left front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  24. Lower the vehicle.
  25. Remove the engine support fixture.

  26. Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  27. Install the top case side cover bolt.
  28. Tighten
    Tighten bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


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

  31. Connect the transaxle wiring harness connector, and harness retainer to side cover stud.
  32. Install the engine mount struts. Refer to the following:
  33. •  Engine Mount Strut Replacement for the 3.5L engine
    •  Engine Mount Strut Replacement for the 3.9L engine
    •  Engine Mount Strut Replacement for the 5.3L engine
  34. Install the air induction duct. Refer to the following:
  35. •  Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.5L engine
    •  Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.9L engine
    •  Air Cleaner Resonator Outlet Duct Replacement for the 5.3L engine
  36. Install the engine site shield. Refer to the following:
  37. •  Intake Manifold Cover Replacement for the 3.5L engine
    •  Intake Manifold Cover Replacement for the 3.9L engine
    •  Upper Intake Manifold Sight Shield Replacement for the 5.3L engine

    Notice: Do not overfill the transmission. Overfilling will result in foaming, loss of fluid, and possible damage to the transmission.

  38. Check and fill the transaxle as necessary.
  39. Inspect for fluid leaks.