Removal & Installation (Taurus, Tempo 2.3L & Topaz 2.3L)

Disconnect negative battery cable. Wedge a wood block (about 7" long) between clutch pedal and floor to hold clutch pedal up beyond normal position. Pull clutch cable forward and disconnect from clutch release lever.
Remove clutch cable from rib on top of transaxle case. Install lifting eyes to engine block (if required). Remove 2 upper transaxle-to-engine bolts. Remove wiring bracket. Remove air cleaner assembly. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove front stabilizer bar.
Remove nut and bolt securing lower control arm ball joint to steering knuckle assembly. Discard nut and bolt. Using large pry bar, pry lower control arm away from knuckle. Repeat procedure on other side. On Taurus, remove stabilizer and connecting rod end from steering knuckle. Disconnect oxygen sensor and power steering cooler. Remove catalytic converter and battery cable bracket. On all models, install 2 Transaxle Plugs (T81P-1177-B), one for each seal, to prevent lubricant from draining.
CAUTION: Use care to prevent oil seal damage when removing axle shaft.
Using Half-Shaft Remover (D83P-4026-A), pry left axle shaft from transaxle. If axle shaft cannot be pried from transaxle, insert Differential Rotator (T81P-4026-A) and tap joint out. Swing steering knuckle and axle shaft outward from transaxle. Secure axle shaft with wire in level position to prevent damage. Repeat procedure on other side.
Disconnect back-up light switch connector. Remove engine ground strap. Remove starter motor. Remove shift mechanism-to-shift shaft attaching nut and bolt. Disconnect mechanism from shift shaft. Remove shift mechanism stabilizer bar from transaxle and remove control selector indicator switch arm from shaft. Remove braces from front of bellhousing and remove speedometer cable. Remove 2 oil pan-to-clutch housing bolts.
Secure transaxle jack under transaxle and remove bolts attaching rear support mount to floorpan brace. Loosen nut on bottom of front support mount. Remove 2 nuts at left rear transaxle mount. Remove bolts at front transaxle mount. Lower transaxle until it clears rear mount. Support engine block under oil pan. Remove engine-to-transaxle bolts. Lower transaxle from vehicle.
To install, reverse removal procedure. Install NEW circlips on ends of axle shafts and NEW nut and bolt when attaching lower control arm ball joint to steering knuckle.