Removal (2.4L & 3.0L)
- Remove battery, battery tray, air cleaner assembly and under cover. Drain transmission fluid. Remove transaxle control cable, oil cooler lines and all electrical connections at transaxle. Raise and support vehicle. Remove starter. Remove upper transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts.
- Ensure engine is properly supported with engine hoist. Disconnect transaxle from mounting bracket located on top of transaxle. Raise transaxle slightly, and then remove bracket.
- Disconnect stabilizer bar from strut assembly. Remove speed sensor retaining clip (ABS only) and brake hose clamp from strut. Loosen tie rod mounting nut, do not remove tie rod from hub. Loosen lower control arm connection at hub assembly. Remove centermember assembly below transaxle. Disconnect rear roll stopper located at front of transaxle.
- Remove axle shafts. See appropriate AXLE SHAFTS article in DRIVELINE/AXLES. Support transaxle with floor jack. Remove torque converter cover. Place reference marks on torque converter and drive plate for reassembly reference. Rotate crankshaft while disconnecting 4 drive plate bolts. Press torque converter inward, toward transaxle to disengage from drive plate. Disconnect lower transaxle-to-engine coupling bolts. Remove transaxle.