Tools Required

SA9132S Lower Control Arm Ball Stud Separator

Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.




1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the left front wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the left wheelhouse splash shield.
4. Drain the transaxle fluid.



5. Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint and discard ti. Loosen the nut and back it off until the top of nut is even with the top of threads.

Notice: On ABS equipped vehicles, the outer CV joint has a speed sensor ring. Using the incorrect tool or procedure to separate the control arm from the knuckle can damage the ring, resulting in a loss of ABS operation.

Notice: Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because seal may be damaged.




6. Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle using the SA9132S and remove the nut.
7. Remove the bolt retaining the brake line bracket to the inner fender and position the brake line to avoid interference.



8. Remove the transaxle mount-to-frame fastener.
9. Place a screw type jack stand under the transaxle casing use a block of wood between the stand and casing to unload the transaxle lower mount.
10. Remove the 2 mount-to-transaxle fasteners.



11. Loosen and back off on the 2  frame-to-body bolts. Do not remove the bolts.
12. Raise the powertrain enough to remove the mount from the vehicle.
13. Lower the jack.



14. Remove the end cover bolts.

Notice: Use care when removing end cover as the tubes can bend easily.

15. Remove the end cover. 1st design shown, 2nd design similar.
16. If replacing the end cover, refer to Transmission Disassemble and Transmission Assemble .
17. If replacing the 1st gear assembly, refer to 1st Clutch, 1st Drive Gear and 1st Driven Gear Replacement - On Vehicle .

1. Clean the gasket surfaces and install the gasket on to the end cover dowel pins.

Install the end cover to the transaxle case. Insert the input and output shaft tubes into the ends of the shafts and install cover. If the cover does not seat, rotate the axle to help align the tubes with the bushings in the shafts. 1st design shown, 2nd design similar.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

Important: Clean and lubricate the fasteners with Saturn Transaxle Fluid. Wipe off excess fluid.

2. Install the end cover to case bolts and tighten using the tightening sequence.

Tighten
Tighten the end cover-to-case bolts to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).

3. Install the bolt into the brake line bracket and tighten.

Tighten
Tighten the brake line bracket-to-transaxle bolt to 5 N·m (44 lb in).




4. Raise the powertrain up and install the transaxle mount.
5. Install the 2 lower mount-to-transaxle fasteners.

Tighten
Tighten the lower mount-to-transaxle bolts to 32 N·m (24 lb in).

6. Tighten the 2 frame-to-body bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the frame-to-body bolts to 210 N·m (155 lb in).

7. Lower the powertrain completely.
8. Install the transaxle lower mount-to-frame fastener.

Tighten
Tighten the lower mount-to-frame nut to 48 N·m (35 lb in).

9. Install the left wheelhouse splash shield.



10. Clean and lubricate the ball joint threads.

Notice: Take care not to damage rubber boot when installing ball joint to knuckle.

11. Position the ball joint into the steering knuckle.
12. Install the nut to the lower ball joint and tighten.

Tighten
Tighten the lower ball joint-to-steering knuckle nut to 75 N·m (55 lb in).

13. If necessary, after tightening, tighten the nut additionally to align the slot in the nut with the cotterpin hole in the ball joint, and install the cotter pin and bend the ends.




Notice: Before installing wheels, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors/drums. Failure to do so can cause wheel nuts to loosen in service.

14. Position the wheel onto the hub.
15. Install the wheel nuts and tighten them in a crisscross pattern.

Repeat the tightening pattern to be sure torque is correct.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel lug nuts to 104 N·m (103 lb in).

16. Lower the vehicle from hoist.
17. Fill the transaxle with fluid.



18. Install the transaxle strut-to-midrail bracket fastener.

Tighten
Tighten the transaxle strut-to-midrail bracket bolt to 70 N·m (52 lb in).




19. Install the air cleaner and duct assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Housing and Duct Assembly Replacement .
20. Verify the fluid level. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check .