CONCORDE, Intrepid, LHS & 300M: Removal
- Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove wiper blades and right and left wiper module covers. Remove steel cowl/strut support. Remove air inlet tube. Disconnect transaxle harness connectors at cowl area.
- Remove upper bellhousing stud nuts. Remove heater hose tube and throttle body support bracket. Remove upper bellhousing studs. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear portion of exhaust system.
- Remove exhaust system-to-transaxle mount nuts. Remove right-side exhaust extension. Disconnect Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor harness connector located on upper right side of transaxle bellhousing. See Fig 1.
- Disconnect remaining control cables and harness connectors from transaxle. Disconnect and plug transaxle cooler lines at transaxle. Remove lower control arm pinch bolts. Pry lower control arms from steering knuckles.
- Using pry bar, disconnect inner tripod joints from transaxle. Pull bottom of steering knuckles and drive shafts outward to provide clearance for transaxle removal. Disconnect HO2S harness connector and remove left-side catalytic converter pipe.
- Remove starter, leaving wire harness connected, and allow starter to lay between engine and frame. Remove engine oil pan collar. Remove torque converter cover. Place reference marks on torque converter and drive plate for reassembly reference. Remove torque converter bolts.
- Support transaxle with transmission jack, and secure with safety chains or strap. Slightly raise transaxle. Remove rear crossmember bridge, mount and adapter plate as an assembly. Lower rear of transaxle. Remove side bellhousing bolts. Remove dipstick tube and plug opening in transaxle. Lower transaxle from vehicle.
CAUTION:
Do not allow drive shaft or CV joint to hang freely. Internal joint damage may occur.