Section 303 (Overhaul - Automatic Transmission): Removal: Transmission

All Vehicles 

NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms can occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The customer needs to be notified that they may experience slightly different upshifts (either soft or firm) and this is a temporary condition that will eventually return to normal operating condition.
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
2. Place the selector lever in NEUTRAL position.
   Fig 1: Placing Selector Lever In Neutral Position

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

   4.0L SOHC Vehicles 

3. Remove the fluid level indicator tube bolt and remove the tube and indicator.
   Fig 2: Removing Fluid Level Indicator Tube & Indicator

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

   All Vehicles 

4. Raise and support the vehicle.
5. If transmission disassembly is required, drain the transmission fluid. For additional information, refer to FLUID PAN, GASKET & FILTER .

   4X4 Vehicles 

6. Remove the transfer case. For additional information, refer to TRANSFER CASE - AUTOMATIC SHIFT .

   All Vehicles 

7. To maintain initial driveshaft balance, mark the driveshaft yoke and axle flange so they can be installed in their original alignment.
   Fig 3: Marking Driveshaft Yoke & Axle Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Remove the rear driveshaft.
   1. Remove the four bolts.
   2. Remove the driveshaft.
   Fig 4: Removing Rear Driveshaft

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Remove the starter motor. For additional information, refer to STARTERS .

   2.3L Engine 

NOTE: It may be necessary to gain access to the flexplate nuts through the wheel well.
NOTE: Mark the torque converter and the flexplate for correct alignment at reinstallation.
10. Remove the four nuts.
    • Rotate the flexplate to access to all the nuts.
      Fig 5: Rotating Flexplate To Access To All Nuts

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All Vehicles 

NOTE: Mark the torque converter and the flexplate for correct alignment at reinstallation.
Fig 6: Rotating Flexplate To Access Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Remove the four nuts.
    • Rotate the flexplate to access to all the nuts.
12. Disconnect the shift cable.
    1. Disconnect the shift cable from the manual control lever.
    2. Disconnect the shift cable from the bracket.
    Fig 7: Disconnecting Shift Cable From Manual Control Lever

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Disconnect the transmission wiring harness.
    1. Disconnect the transmission connector.
    2. Disconnect the Intermediate Shaft Speed (ISS) sensor.
    3. Disconnect the digital Transmission Range (TR) sensor connector.
    4. Disconnect the Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor.
    Fig 8: Disconnecting Transmission Wiring Harness

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Remove the three way catalytic converter.

    2.3L Engine 

15. Remove the rear engine cover plate.
    Fig 9: Removing Rear Engine Cover Plate

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All Vehicles 

CAUTION: Care should be taken not to bend or damage the cooler lines.
Fig 10: Removing Transmission Cooler Lines
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. Hold the case fitting and remove the transmission cooler lines.
17. Remove the nuts.
    Fig 11: Removing Transmission Mount Nuts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
CAUTION: Do not allow the transmission to hang freely.
Fig 12: Positioning High-Lift Transmission Jack Under Transmission
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
18. Position the High-Lift Transmission Jack under the transmission. Raise and support the transmission.

    4X2 Vehicles 

19. Remove the crossmember.
    1. Remove the six bolts (three each side).
    2. Remove the crossmember.
       Fig 13: Removing Crossmember (4X2 Vehicles)

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    4X4 Vehicles 

20. Remove the crossmember.
    1. Remove the eight bolts (four each side).
    2. Remove the crossmember.
       Fig 14: Removing Crossmember (4X4 Vehicles)

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All Vehicles 

21. Remove the transmission mount.
    1. Remove the screws.
    2. Remove the transmission mount.
       Fig 15: Removing Transmission Mount

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    2.3L Engine 

22. Remove the rear vibration damper.
    Fig 16: Removing Rear Vibration Damper

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    2.3L & 3.0L Engines 

23. Remove the transmission upper fill tube.
    1. Remove the screw.
    2. Disconnect the transmission upper fill tube.
    Fig 17: Disconnecting Transmission Upper Fill Tube

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Lower the High-Lift Transmission Jack to gain access to screws.
Fig 18: Removing Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
24. Remove the screws.

    2.3L Engine 

25. Remove the lower screws.
    Fig 19: Removing Lower Screws

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
26. Remove the HO2S connector bracket from the transmission.
    Fig 20: Removing HO2S Connector Bracket From Transmission

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    4.0L Engine 

NOTE: Lower the High-Lift Transmission Jack to gain access to screws.
Fig 21: Removing Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
27. Remove the screws.

    4X4 Vehicles 

28. Remove the vent tube assembly.
    Fig 22: Removing Vent Tube Assembly

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All Vehicles 

WARNING: The torque converter is heavy and may result in injury if it falls out of the transmission. Secure the torque converter in the transmission. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
Fig 23: Installing Special Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
29. Install the special tool before lowering the transmission from the vehicle.
WARNING: Secure the transmission to the transmission jack with a safety chain. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
30. Lower the transmission.
31. Carry out Transmission Fluid Cooler Back Flushing/Cleaning. For additional information, refer to TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER - BACKFLUSHING & CLEANING .