GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Transmission Replacement M15

Tools Required

J 37096 Flywheel Holder

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 125802  Size: SH
  1. Remove the push pins from the coolant recovery bottle.
  2. Position aside coolant recovery bottle.
  3. Remove air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement .
  4. Remove the automatic transmission range selector cable from the manual shaft.
  5. Remove the automatic transmission range selector cable bracket refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Bracket Replacement .
  6. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors from the transaxle.

  7. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  8. Remove the top four bell housing bolts (2, 3, 4, 5).
  9. Remove the frame. Refer to Front Frame Replacement .

  10. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  11. Remove the inspection cover.
  12. Use J 37096 in order to gain access to the torque converter bolts and prevent the flywheel from turning.

  13. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  14. Remove the torque converter bolts.
  15. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor.
  16. Remove the right and left axle shafts from the transmission. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  17. Disconnect the transmission cooler lines.
  18. Position the transmission jack under the vehicle.
  19. Remove the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  20. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  21. Remove the lower transaxle bolts (6) and stud (1).
  22. Disconnect neutral safety switch.
  23. Remove the wiring harness bracket from the side cover.
  24. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
  25. Important: Flush the following components whenever the transaxle is removed for overhaul or whenever the torque converter pump or the case is replaced.

  26. Flush the transaxle oil cooler pipes and the transaxle oil cooler. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .
  27. Transfer all necessary parts as needed.

Installation Procedure

  1. Align the transaxle filler tube to the transmission and Install the transaxle into the vehicle.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


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

  5. Install the wiring harness bracket to the side cover.
  6. Connect the neutral safety switch.
  7. Install the transaxle brace.
  8. Connect the transmission cooler lines.
  9. Install the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .
  10. Install the right and left axle shafts into the transaxle. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  11. Connect the vehicle speed sensor.

  12. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  13. Install the torque converter bolts.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

  15. Install the torque converter cover.
  16. Install the filler tube bracket retaining nut on the transmission.
  17. Install the frame. Refer to Front Frame Replacement .
  18. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  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 stud (2).
  23. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts and stud to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  24. Connect the wiring harness to the transaxle.
  25. Install transmission range selector cable bracket refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Bracket Replacement .
  26. Install the automatic transmission range selector cable on the manual shaft.
  27. Install the air cleaner assembly refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement .
  28. 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.

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

  30. Object Number: 125802  Size: SH
  31. Install the coolant recovery bottle.
  32. Notice: Do NOT overfill the transaxle. The overfilling of the transaxle causes foaming, loss of fluid, shift complaints, and possible damage to the transaxle.

  33. Adjust the fluid level.
  34. Inspect for fluid leaks.

Transmission Replacement M76

Tools Required

J 37096 Flywheel Holder

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.

Important: The transmission-to-transfer case end play check procedure must be performed each time the transmission, transfer case, or the internal components (excluding gaskets and seals) are replaced.


    Object Number: 125802  Size: SH
  1. Remove the push pins from the coolant recovery bottle.
  2. Position aside coolant recovery bottle.
  3. Remove air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement .
  4. Remove the automatic transmission range selector cable from the manual shaft.
  5. Remove the automatic transmission range selector cable bracket. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Bracket Replacement .
  6. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors from the transaxle.
  7. Remove the wiring harness bracket from the side cover.

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

  10. Object Number: 621065  Size: SH
  11. Remove the prop shaft.
  12. Remove the engine to transfer case brace.
  13. Remove the frame. Refer to Front Frame Replacement .

  14. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  15. Remove the filler tube bracket retaining bolt.
  16. Remove the inspection cover.
  17. Remove the torque converter bolts.
  18. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor.
  19. Remove the right and left axle shafts into the transaxle. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  20. Disconnect the transmission cooler lines.
  21. Position the transmission jack under the transmission.
  22. Remove the transfer case to engine mount bolts.

  23. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  24. Remove the lower transaxle bolts (6) and stud (1).
  25. Disconnect neutral safety switch.
  26. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
  27. Remove the transfer case from the transaxle. Refer to Transfer Case Removal in Transmission - 4T65-E Unit Repair.
  28. The transmission-to-transfer case end play check procedure must be performed each time the transmission, transfer case, or the internal components (excluding gaskets and seals) are replaced. Refer to Transmission to Transfer Case End Play Check in Transmission - 4T65-E Unit Repair.
  29. Important: Flush the following components whenever the transaxle is removed for overhaul or whenever the torque converter pump or the case is replaced.

  30. Flush the following components:
  31. • The transaxle oil coolers
    • The hoses
    • The pipes
    • Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .

Installation Procedure

  1. The transmission-to-transfer case end play check procedure must be performed each time the transmission, transfer case, or the internal components (excluding gaskets and seals) are replaced. Refer to Transmission to Transfer Case End Play Check in Transmission - 4T65-E Unit Repair.
  2. Install the transfer case to the transaxle. Refer to Transfer Case Installation in Transmission - 4T65-E Unit Repair.
  3. Position the flex plate alignment hole to the seven o'clock position.
  4. Align the transaxle filler tube to the transmission and install the transaxle into the vehicle.
  5. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


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

  8. Install transfer case to transmission bracket.
  9. Install the wiring harness bracket to the side cover.
  10. Connect the neutral safety switch.
  11. Install the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .
  12. Connect the transmission cooler lines.
  13. Install the right and left axle shafts into the transaxle. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  14. Connect the vehicle speed sensor.

  15. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  16. Install the torque converter bolts.
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

  18. Install the torque converter cover. Refer to Torque Converter Cover Replacement .
  19. Install the filler tube bracket retaining bolt on the transmission.

  20. Object Number: 621065  Size: SH
  21. Install the prop shaft.
  22. Important: Thoroughly clean and apply LOCTITE® DRI-LOC 201® (GM P/N 12345493, or equivalent) to the bolt threads prior to assembly.


    Object Number: 632896  Size: SH
  23. Install the propeller shaft-to-transfer case bolts (2). Ensure the special washer is in place on each pair of bolts.
  24. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

  25. Install the propeller shaft-to-torque tube bolts (4). Ensure the special washer is in place on each pair of bolts.
  26. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

  27. Install the frame. Refer to Front Frame Replacement .
  28. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  29. Lower vehicle.
  30. Remove engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture .

  31. Object Number: 105887  Size: SH
  32. Install the right side engine strut. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement - Right Side .

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

  36. Connect the wiring harness the transaxle.
  37. Install transmission range selector cable bracket. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Bracket Replacement .
  38. Install the automatic transmission range selector cable on the manual shaft.
  39. Install the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement .
  40. 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.

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

  42. Object Number: 125802  Size: SH
  43. Install the coolant recovery bottle.
  44. Notice: Do NOT overfill the transaxle. The overfilling of the transaxle causes foaming, loss of fluid, shift complaints, and possible damage to the transaxle.

  45. Adjust the fluid level.
  46. Inspect for fluid leaks.