GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2002 🢒 VUE - AWD 🢒 Transmission/Transaxle 🢒 Automatic Transaxle - AF33-5 (M45) 🢒 Transmission Replacement

Tools Required

    • J 36346 Fascia Retainer Remover
    • J 45341 Drive Axle Remover
    • SA91100C Tie Rod Separator
    • SA9173G Slide Hammer

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 951451 Size: SH
  1. Record all preset radio stations.

    2. Caution: Do not tip the battery over a 45 degree angle or acid could spill causing serious personal injury.

  2. Remove the battery.
    3. 2.1. Remove the battery cover.
    2.2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
    2.3. Disconnect the positive battery cable.
    2.4. Loosen the battery hold-down screw and remove the battery.

    Object Number: 951487 Size: SH
  3. Remove the battery cooling box. Refer to Battery Cooling Box Battery Box Replacement removal procedure in Engine Electrical.
  4. Remove the battery tray bracket.

    5. Object Number: 978158 Size: SH
  5. Use the J 36346 to disconnect the control cable from transaxle range switch assembly lever.
  6. Disconnect the control cable from the control cable bracket.
  7. Disconnect the transaxle range switch harness connectors.
  8. Disconnect the input and output speed sensor harness connectors.
  9. Disconnect the harness from the transaxle range switch stud and the shifter cable bracket.
  10. Remove the positive battery cable from the transaxle stud.
  11. Remove the headlamp fasteners and wire the radiator to the radiator core support to hold the radiator in place as the cradle is removed.

    12. Object Number: 959655 Size: SH
  12. Install the engine support tool.

    13. Object Number: 991083 Size: SH
  13. Remove the transaxle fluid level indicator assembly.

    14. Object Number: 991548 Size: SH
  14. Remove the upper left-hand transaxle mount bolts and remove the mount.

    15. Caution: Ensure that the vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which the components are being removed.

  15. Position the vehicle on a hoist and raise the vehicle.

    16. Object Number: 891537 Size: SH
  16. Remove both front wheel and tire assemblies.

    17. Object Number: 929650 Size: SH
  17. Remove the left-side and the right-side inner splash shields.

    18. Object Number: 930960 Size: SH
  18. Remove the front air deflector-to-cradle pushpins to allow the deflector to flex. The front air deflector does not need to be removed.

    19. Object Number: 991028 Size: SH
  19. Drain the transaxle fluid.

    20. Object Number: 945444 Size: SH
  20. Remove the transaxle cooler line assembly nut from the transaxle.
  21. Remove the transaxle cooler lines from the transaxle.

    22. Object Number: 993228 Size: SH

    Important: Mark the alignment position of the PTU and the drive shaft.

  22. Disconnect the drive shaft from the power take-off unit - PTU and support the drive shaft. Mark the alignment position of the PTU and the drive shaft.

    23. Object Number: 929945 Size: SH
  23. Disconnect the lower stabilizer nut from the cradle on both sides of the vehicle.
  24. Remove the rack and pinion bolts from the cradle.

    25. Object Number: 929893 Size: SH
  25. Remove the lower control arm ball stud cotter pin and nut.
  26. Discard the cotter pin.

    27. Object Number: 932518 Size: SH
  27. Separate the ball stud from the knuckle.

    28. Object Number: 854983 Size: SH
  28. Use the SA91100C to separate the knuckle from the tie rod on both sides of the vehicle.

    29. Object Number: 993507 Size: SH
  29. Remove the front pitch restrictor bolts, through-bolt, and the front pitch restrictor.

    30. Object Number: 993567 Size: SH
  30. Remove the rear pitch restrictor through-bolt from the cradle.
  31. Position the support table under the cradle.

    32. Object Number: 933087 Size: SH
  32. Remove the cradle bolts and lower the cradle onto the support table.

    33. Object Number: 931484 Size: SH
  33. Use the J 45341 and the SA9173G to separate the left axle shaft from the transaxle and tie the strap out of the way.

    34. Object Number: 931473 Size: SH

    Important: Do not damage the J 45341 .

    Important: The stub shaft may disengage from the PTU and separate from the axle. If this occurs, plug the PTU stub shaft hole to prevent fluid loss.

  34. Use the J 45341 and the SA9173G to separate the right axle shaft from the PTU and tie the strap out of the way.

    35. Object Number: 988424 Size: SH
  35. Remove the PTU-to-engine bracket bolts and remove bracket.

    36. Object Number: 947067 Size: SH
  36. Disconnect the starter wiring harness.
  37. Remove the starter bolts and starter.
  38. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to gain access to the torque converter-to-flexplate bolts.

    39. Object Number: 989287 Size: SH
  39. Remove the torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through the starter hole.

    40. Object Number: 989323 Size: MF
  40. Remove 3 lower transaxle-to-engine bolts.
  41. Remove 1 engine-to-transaxle bolt located above the PTU.
  42. Lower the vehicle and secure the transaxle to a transaxle jack or support table for separating the engine and the transaxle.

    43. Important: The torque converter has a long pilot shaft. Do not put an excessive load on the shaft. Do not lower the transaxle until the shaft is clear of the engine crankshaft.

    Important: Do not damage the mating surfaces of the engine or the transaxle.

  43. Separate the transaxle from the engine carefully.
  44. Lower the transaxle from the vehicle carefully.
  45. Remove the PTU vent hose.

    46. Object Number: 945606 Size: SH
  46. Remove the PTU bolts and separate the PTU from the transaxle.

    47. Object Number: 993576 Size: SH
  47. Remove the stub shaft from the transaxle.

Tools Required

    • J 44015 Tie Rod Installer
    • SA91112T Axle Seal Protector

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 928989 Size: SH

    Caution: Ensure that the vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which the components are being removed.

  1. Position the vehicle on a hoist and raise the vehicle.
  2. Install new stub shaft retaining rings.

    3. Object Number: 945606 Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  3. Install the power take-off unit (PTU) bolts and the PTU unit to the transaxle.

    4. Tighten
    Tighten the PTU bolts to 60 N·m(44 lb ft)


    Object Number: 993576 Size: SH
  4. Install stub shaft into transaxle.
  5. Install PTU vent hose.
  6. With the transaxle supported, carefully raise the transaxle. It may be helpful to lower the vehicle down around the transaxle.
  7. Carefully assemble the engine to the transaxle.

    8. Object Number: 989323 Size: MF
  8. Install the upper and lower transaxle-to-engine bolts.

    9. Tighten
    Tighten the transaxle-to-engine (18 mm) bolts to 75 N·m(55 lb ft)

    Tighten
    Tighten the transaxle-to-engine (15 mm) bolts to 50 N·m(37 lb ft)

  9. Install the engine-to-transaxle bolt located above the PTU.

    10. Tighten
    Tighten the engine-to-transaxle bolt to 75 N·m(55 lb ft)


    Object Number: 988424 Size: SH
  10. Install PTU-to-engine bracket assembly.

    11. Tighten
    Tighten the PTU-to-engine bracket bolts to 60 N·m(44 lb ft)

  11. Install exhaust downpipe.

    12. Object Number: 989287 Size: SH
  12. Rotate the crank and align the net hole of the flexplate through the starter opening.
  13. Install the torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through the starter hole.

    14. Tighten
    Tighten the converter-to-flexplate bolts to 60 N·m(44 lb ft)

  14. Install the starter and the starter bolts

    15. Tighten
    Tighten the starter bolts to 40 N·m(30 lb ft)

  15. Install starter wiring harness.

    16. Tighten
    Tighten the B+ Cable-to-starter nut to 10 N·m(89 lb in)

    Tighten
    Tighten the S-terminal nut to 5 N·m(44 lb in)


    Object Number: 928914 Size: SH
  16. Install the right axle shaft to PTU stub shaft.

    17. Object Number: 931472 Size: SH
  17. Install a new retaining ring on the left axle shaft.

    18. Object Number: 934583 Size: SH
  18. Install the SA91112T inside the left axle seal

    19. Important: Do not damage the left axle seal

  19. Lubricate the axle with transaxle fluid.
  20. Carefully install the left axle shaft into the transaxle.
  21. Remove the SA91112T after the splines clear the seal protector, but before the axle shaft is fully installed.
  22. Push left axle shaft all the way into the transaxle.

    23. Object Number: 933087 Size: SH
  23. With the cradle on a support table, install the cradle and the cradle fasteners carefully into the vehicle.

    24. Tighten
    Tighten the frame-to-body bolts to 155 N·m(114 lb ft)

  24. Remove the support table.

    25. Object Number: 993567 Size: SH
  25. Install the rear pitch restrictor through-bolt.

    26. Tighten
    Tighten the rear pitch restrictor bolt to 110 N·m(81 lb ft)


    Object Number: 993507 Size: SH
  26. Install the front pitch restrictor bolts, through-bolt and front pitch restrictor.

    27. Tighten
    Tighten the Front pitch restrictor bolts to 50 N·m(37 lb ft)

    Tighten
    Tighten the Front pitch restrictor through-bolts to 110 N·m(81 lb ft)


    Object Number: 891579 Size: SH
  27. Use the J 44015 to install the knuckle to the outer tie rod.

    28. Object Number: 854972 Size: SH
  28. Install the outer tie rod-to-knuckle nut.

    29. Tighten
    Tighten the rod-to-knuckle nut to 50 N·m(37 lb ft)


    Object Number: 929893 Size: SH
  29. Install the lower control arm ball stud-to-knuckle.

    30. Important: Tighten the nut one additional flat to align cotter pin hole if necessary.

  30. Install the nut and new cotter pin.

    31. Tighten
    Tighten the lower control arm nut to 110 N·m(81 lb ft) plus 150 degrees.

  31. Install the rack and pinion bolts to the cradle.

    32. Tighten
    Tighten the rack and pinion bolts to 110 N·m(81 lb ft)


    Object Number: 929945 Size: SH
  32. Connect the lower stabilizer nut to the cradle on both sides of the vehicle.

    33. Tighten
    Tighten the lower stabilizer nut to 65 N·m(48 lb ft)


    Object Number: 993228 Size: SH
  33. Install drive shaft to PTU.

    34. Tighten
    Tighten the drive shaft bolts to 25 N·m(18 lb ft)

  34. If the transaxle being installed is not new, then the transaxle oil cooler line seals must be removed and replaced. Refer to Transaxle Oil Cooler Line Seals removal and installation procedure in this service manual.

    35. Object Number: 945444 Size: SH
  35. Connect the transaxle cooler lines and the nut to the transaxle.

    36. Tighten
    Tighten the transaxle cooler line nut to 7 N·m(62 lb in)


    Object Number: 930960 Size: SH
  36. Install the front air dam deflector-to-cradle pushpins.

    37. Object Number: 929650 Size: SH
  37. Install the left-side and right-side inner splash shields.

    38. Object Number: 891537 Size: SH
  38. Install the left-side and right-side wheel and tire assemblies.

    39. Tighten the bolts in a criss-cross pattern.

    Tighten
    Tighten the wheel nuts to 125 N·m(92 lb ft)

  39. Lower the vehicle.

    40. Object Number: 991548 Size: SH
  40. Install the upper left-hand transaxle mount and bolts.

    41. Tighten
    Tighten the upper left-hand transaxle mount bolts to 50 N·m(37 lb ft)


    Object Number: 991083 Size: SH
  41. Install the fluid level indicator assembly.

    42. Tighten
    Tighten the fluid level indicator bolt to 12 N·m(9 lb ft)


    Object Number: 959655 Size: SH
  42. Remove the engine support tool.
  43. Remove the tie straps from the radiator.
  44. Install the positive battery cable to the transaxle stud.
  45. Install the harness to the transaxle range switch stud and the control cable bracket.
  46. Connect the input and output speed sensor harness connectors.
  47. Connect the transaxle range switch harness connectors.

    48. Object Number: 978330 Size: SH
  48. Connect the control cable to the control cable bracket.
  49. Connect the control cable to the transaxle range switch assembly lever.

    50. Important: 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.

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