GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 35944-A Transmission Oil Cooler Flusher

Removal Procedure

Important: Transmission oil circulates between the transmission assembly and the transfer case. In situations where transmission related failures circulate debris into the transfer case, the transfer case must be disassembled, cleaned, and inspected for damage.


    Object Number: 125802  Size: SH
  1. Remove the push pins from the coolant recovery bottle.
  2. Position aside the coolant recovery bottle.
  3. Remove the air cleaner. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement in Engine Controls-3.4L.
  4. Remove the automatic transmission range selector cable from the automatic transmission range selector cable lever. Refer to Automatic Transmission Range Selector Lever Replacement .
  5. Remove the automatic transmission range selector cable bracket. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Bracket Replacement .

  6. Object Number: 823258  Size: SH
  7. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors from the transaxle.
  8. Remove the wiring harness from the transaxle.
  9. Remove the right side engine strut. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Right Side in Engine Mechanical-3.4L.
  10. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical-3.4L.
  11. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

  12. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  13. Remove the top four bell housing bolts (2, 3, 4, 5).

  14. Object Number: 621065  Size: SH
  15. If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-Drive (AWD), perform the following steps:
  16. 12.1. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
    12.2. Remove the transfer case brace. Refer to Support Brace Replacement in Transfer Case-Steyr.
  17. Remove the frame. Refer to Front Frame Replacement in Frame and Underbody.

  18. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  19. Remove the filler tube. Refer to Transmission Fluid Filler Tube Replacement .
  20. Remove the torque converter cover. Refer to Torque Converter Cover Replacement .
  21. Remove the torque converter bolts. Refer to Flywheel to Torque Converter Bolt Replacement .
  22. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
  23. Remove the right and left drive axles from the transaxle. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  24. Disconnect the transmission cooler hoses from the transaxle. Refer to Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Hose Replacement .
  25. Position the transmission jack under the transaxle.
  26. Remove the transaxle / transfer case brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  27. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  28. Remove the lower transaxle bolts (6) and stud (1).
  29. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
  30. If the vehicle is equipped with AWD, remove the transfer case. Refer to Transfer Case Removal in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E Unit Repair.
  31. Flush the transaxle oil cooler and the transaxle oil cooler hoses. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test in Automatic Transmission - 4T65-E.

Installation Procedure

Important: If you are replacing the transaxle, transfer case or any internal components, you must inspect the end play and adjust as needed. Refer to Transmission to Transfer Case End Play Check in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E Unit Repair.

  1. If the vehicle is equipped with AWD, install the transfer case. Refer to Transfer Case Installation in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E Unit Repair.
  2. Position the flex plate alignment hole to the seven o'clock position.
  3. Align the transaxle filler tube to the transmission and install the transaxle into the vehicle.
  4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


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

  7. Install the transaxle/transfer case brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .
  8. Install the transmission cooler hoses. Refer to Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Hose Replacement .
  9. Install the right and left axle shafts into the transaxle. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  10. Connect the vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.

  11. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  12. Install the torque converter bolts. Refer to Flywheel to Torque Converter Bolt Replacement .
  13. Install the torque converter cover. Refer to Torque Converter Cover Replacement .
  14. Install the filler tube bracket bolt.
  15. Install the frame. Refer to Front Frame Replacement in Frame and Underbody.

  16. Object Number: 621065  Size: SH
  17. If the vehicle is equipped with AWD, perform the following steps:
  18. 13.1. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
    13.2. Install the transfer case brace. Refer to Support Brace Replacement in Transfer Case-Steyr.
  19. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  20. Lower the vehicle.
  21. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical-3.4L.
  22. Install the right side engine strut. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Right Side in Engine Mechanical-3.4L.

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


    Object Number: 823258  Size: SH
  26. Connect the wiring harness to the transaxle.
  27. Install the transmission range selector cable bracket. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Bracket Replacement .
  28. Install the automatic transmission range selector cable to the automatic transmission range selector lever. Refer to Automatic Transmission Range Selector Lever Replacement .
  29. Install the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement in Engine Controls-3.4L.

  30. Object Number: 125802  Size: SH
  31. Install the coolant recovery bottle.
  32. Inspect and adjust the transaxle fluid level as needed. Refer to the following information.
  33. •  Transmission Fluid Check
    •  Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
    •  Approximate Fluid Capacities

    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.

  34. Reset the TAP values. Refer to Adapt Function.