Tools Required

J 43653  Flywheel Holding Tool

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
2. Disconnect the air inlet duct hose from the intake plenum.
Fig 1: Locating Transaxle & PNP Switch Connectors
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness from the transaxle and the PNP switch.
Fig 2: Identifying Lower Transmission To Engine Bolts And Stud
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Remove the upper transmission to engine bolts and stud.
5. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture for the 2.2L engine.
6. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
7. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (4 Lug Wheel) or Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (5 Lug Wheel) .
8. Remove the both front fender liners. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
9. Remove the steering gear mounting bolts and secure the steering gear with mechanics wire.
10. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor wires from the both front wheels and unclip from the frame.
11. Separate the ball joints from the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Ball Joint Replacement (with FE1 Only) .
12. Remove the frame. Refer to Frame Replacement .
Fig 3: Identifying Transmission-To-Engine Brace Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
13. Remove the 2 bolts from the transmission brace.
Fig 4: View Of Shift Cable & Shift Linkage
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
14. Disconnect the shift cable from the shift linkage.
15. Disconnect the cable from the bracket.
Fig 5: View Of Flywheel Inspection Cover Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
16. Remove the flywheel inspection cover.
17. Remove the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement (RPO LSJ) or Starter Motor Replacement (RPOs L61/LE5) .
18. Mark the relationship of the flywheel to the torque converter for reassembly.
19. Use the J 43653  to prevent the crankshaft from rotating.
Fig 6: View Of Flywheel To Torque Converter Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
20. Use J 43653  to remove the torque converter to flywheel bolts.
21. Remove the transmission cooler lines by removing the nut holding the bracket to the transaxle case.
Fig 7: View Of VSS Wiring Harness
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
22. Disconnect the VSS wiring harness from the sensor.
23. Disconnect the wheel drive shafts from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
24. Lower the vehicle.
25. Remove the body to transmission mount bolts.
26. Lower the transmission with the engine support fixture enough to remove the transmission.
27. Raise the vehicle.
28. Remove the oil pan to drain the transmission. Refer to Oil Pan Replacement .
29. Install the oil pan. Refer to Oil Pan Replacement .
30. Support the transmission with a suitable jack.
Fig 8: View Of Lower Transmission To Engine Stud
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
31. Remove the transaxle to engine nut.
32. Separate the engine and the transaxle.
33. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
34. Remove the PNP switch.
35. Remove the shifter cable bracket.
36. Remove the lower transmission to engine stud.
37. Remove the transmission mount.
38. Flush the transmission cooler and lines. Refer to Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Flushing and Flow Test (J 45096) or Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Flushing and Flow Test (J 35944-A) .