GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

    • J 35944-A Transmission Oil Cooler Flusher
    • J 43653 Flywheel Holding Tool

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the battery tray. Refer to Battery Tray Replacement.

  2. Object Number: 1233683  Size: SH
  3. Disconnect the air cleaner outlet duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement.
  4. Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness from the transaxle and the park neutral position (PNP) switch.
  5. Remove the radiator outlet pipe. Refer to Radiator Outlet Pipe Replacement.

  6. Object Number: 1765068  Size: SH
  7. Disconnect the transaxle shift control cable terminal (1) from the transaxle manual shift lever pin (5).
  8. Remove the retainer (2) from the transaxle shift control cable.
  9. Press the locking tabs inward in order to release the transaxle shift control cable (3) from the cable bracket (4).
  10. Remove the shift cable bracket.
  11. Remove the transaxle wiring harness from the retainer on the transaxle.

  12. Object Number: 1547461  Size: SH
  13. Remove the upper transaxle to engine studs (1, 2) and bolts (5, 6).
  14. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture.
  15. Remove the left transmission mount. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side.
  16. Secure the radiator and condenser to the vehicle structure and the engine in order to prepare for frame removal.
  17. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  18. Remove the front wheels and tires. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.

  19. Object Number: 1970359  Size: SH
  20. Remove the bolts (1, 2) from the transaxle brace.
  21. Remove the transaxle brace (3).
  22. Remove the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement.
  23. Mark the relationship of the flywheel to the torque converter for reassembly.
  24. Use the J 43653 to prevent the crankshaft from rotating.

  25. Object Number: 1547462  Size: SH
  26. Remove the torque converter to flywheel bolts.
  27. Remove the nut holding the transaxle cooler line retainer to the transaxle.
  28. Disconnect the transaxle cooler lines from the transaxle.

  29. Object Number: 414901  Size: SH
  30. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) wiring harness from the sensor.

  31. Object Number: 851655  Size: SH
  32. Remove the intermediate shaft to steering gear pinch bolt. Discard the bolt.
  33. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the steering gear.
  34. Disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
  35. Disconnect the stabilizer shaft links from the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
  36. Disconnect the ball joints from the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
  37. Remove the frame. Refer to Frame Replacement.
  38. Disconnect the wheel drive shafts from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement. Secure the wheel drive shafts out of the way.
  39. Support the transaxle with a suitable jack.

  40. Object Number: 1547467  Size: SH
  41. Remove the lower transaxle to engine bolts (5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
  42. Separate the engine and the transaxle.
  43. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
  44. If the transaxle is being replaced, remove the PNP switch from the transaxle. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement.
  45. If replacing the transmission, transfer the auxiliary fluid pump and pipes. Refer to Auxiliary Fluid Pump Replacement , Auxiliary Fluid Pump Outlet Pipe Replacement , Auxiliary Fluid Pump Inlet Pipe Replacement.
  46. Flush the transaxle cooler and the lines with J 35944-A .

Installation Procedure

  1. If previously removed, Install the auxiliary fluid pump and pipes. Refer to Auxiliary Fluid Pump Replacement , Auxiliary Fluid Pump Outlet Pipe Replacement , Auxiliary Fluid Pump Inlet Pipe Replacement.
  2. If previously removed, Install the PNP switch. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement.
  3. Position the transaxle in the vehicle.
  4. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1547467  Size: SH
  5. Install the lower transaxle to engine bolts (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) and tighten to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).
  6. Install the wheel drive shafts to the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.
  7. Lubricate the transaxle cooler pipes before inserting into seals.
  8. Connect the transaxle cooler pipes to the transaxle.
  9. Install the transaxle cooler pipes retainer nut and tighten to 7 N·m (62 lb in).
  10. Use the J 43653 to prevent the crankshaft from rotating.

  11. Object Number: 1547462  Size: SH
  12. Install the torque converter to flywheel bolts and tighten to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).
  13. Install the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement.
  14. Install the frame. Refer to Frame Replacement.

  15. Object Number: 851655  Size: SH
  16. Connect the intermediate shaft to the steering gear shaft.
  17. Install the new steering gear pinch bolt to the intermediate shaft and tighten the bolt to 49 N·m (36 lb ft).
  18. Connect the ball joints to the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
  19. Connect the stabilizer shaft links to the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
  20. Connect the tie rods to the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.

  21. Object Number: 414901  Size: SH
  22. Connect the wiring harness to the VSS.

  23. Object Number: 1970359  Size: SH
  24. Install the transaxle brace (3).
  25. Install the transaxle brace bolts (1, 2) and tighten to 53 N·m (39 lb ft).
  26. Install the front splash shields. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement.
  27. Install the front wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  28. Lower the vehicle.
  29. Install the left transaxle mount. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side.

  30. Object Number: 1547461  Size: SH
  31. Install the upper transaxle to engine bolts (5, 6) and studs (1, 2) and tighten to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).
  32. Untie the radiator, air conditioning condenser, and fan module assembly.
  33. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture.
  34. Install the radiator outlet pipe. Refer to Radiator Outlet Pipe Replacement.

  35. Object Number: 1233683  Size: SH
  36. Connect the transaxle wiring harness to the main transaxle electrical connector, and the PNP switch.
  37. Install the shift cable bracket.

  38. Object Number: 1765068  Size: SH
  39. Install the transaxle shift control cable (3) to the cable bracket (4).
  40. Install the retainer (2) to the transaxle shift control cable.
  41. Connect the transaxle shift control cable terminal (1) to the transaxle manual shift lever pin (5).
  42. Install the battery tray. Refer to Battery Tray Replacement.
  43. Connect the air cleaner outlet duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement.
  44. Add automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and verify the proper fluid level of the transaxle.
  45. Prime the auxiliary fluid pump. Refer to Auxiliary Fluid Pump Priming.
  46. Note: It is recommended that 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 TAP values. Transmission performance may be affected as new TAP values are learned.

  47. Reset the TAP values. Refer to Transmission Adaptive Functions.
  48. Road test the vehicle.