Removal & Installation: Transaxle: Removal

Tools Required:

• Fascia Retainer Remover (J-36346)
• Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Removal Tool (J-45341)
• Slide Hammer (SA9173G)
• Tie Rod Separator (SA91100C)

1. Remove the battery cover.
   WARNING: Do not tip the battery over a 45-degree angle or acid could spill causing serious personal injury.
2. Record all of the customer's radio station presets. Turn off all the lamps and accessories. Turn the ignition OFF. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Disconnect the positive battery cable.
4. Loosen the battery hold down screw and remove the battery. See Fig 1 .
5. Remove the battery box. See appropriate SERVICING article as follows:
   • For 2002 models, see BATTERY COOLING BOX under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in SERVICING - VUE (AF33-5) article.
6. Loosen the battery tray bracket screws and remove the bracket. See Fig 2 .
7. Using the fascia retainer remover, disconnect the control cable from the transaxle range switch lever. See Fig 3 .
   Fig 1: Removing Battery Hold Down Screw

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
   Fig 2: Removing Battery Tray Bracket

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
   Fig 3: Removing Control Cable

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. Disconnect the control cable from the control cable bracket.
9. Disconnect the transaxle range switch harness connectors.
10. Disconnect the input and output speed sensor harness connectors.
11. Disconnect the harness from the transaxle range switch stud and the shifter cable bracket.
12. Remove the positive battery cable from the transaxle stud.
13. Remove the headlamp fasteners.
14. Wire the radiator to the radiator core support in order to hold the radiator in place as the cradle is removed.
15. Install the engine support tool. See Fig 4 .
16. Remove the transaxle fluid level indicator assembly. See Fig 5 .
17. Remove the upper left-hand transaxle mount bolts and remove the mount. See Fig 6 .
    Fig 4: Installing Engine Support Tool

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 5: Removing Fluid Level Indicator

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 6: Removing Upper Left-Hand Transaxle Mount Bolts

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    WARNING: Ensure that the vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which the components are being removed.
18. Raise and support the vehicle.
19. Remove both front wheel and tire assemblies.
20. Remove the left-side and right-side inner splash shields. See Fig 7 .
21. Remove the front air deflector-to-cradle pushpins to allow the deflector to flex. The front air deflector does not need to be removed.
22. Drain the transaxle fluid. See Fig 8 .
23. Remove the transaxle oil cooler line assembly nut from the transaxle. See Fig 9 .
    Fig 7: Removing Left Inner Splash Shield

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 8: Removing Transaxle Drain Plug

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 9: Removing Transaxle Cooler Lines

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
24. Remove the transaxle oil cooler lines from the transaxle.
    NOTE: Mark the alignment position of the PTU and the drive shaft.
25. Disconnect the drive shaft from the Power Take-Off Unit (PTU) and support the drive shaft. Mark the alignment position of the PTU and the drive shaft. See Fig 10 .
26. Disconnect the lower stabilizer nut from the cradle on both sides of vehicle. See Fig 11 .
27. Remove the rack and pinion bolts from the cradle.
28. Remove the lower control arm ball stud cotter pin and nut. See Fig 12 . Discard the pin.
29. Separate the ball stud from the knuckle. See Fig 13 .
    Fig 10: Disconnecting Drive Shaft From PTU

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 11: Removing Rack & Pinion Bolts

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 12: Removing Lower Control Arm Ball Stud Cotter Pins & Nut

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 13: Separating Ball Stud From Knuckle

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
30. Using the tie rod separator or equivalent, separate the knuckle from the tie rod on both sides of the vehicle. See appropriate FRONT article in SUSPENSION.
31. Remove the front pitch restrictor bolts, through-bolt and front pitch restrictor. See Fig 14 .
32. Remove the rear pitch restrictor through-bolt from the cradle. See Fig 15 .
    Fig 14: Removing Front Pitch Restrictor

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 15: Removing Rear Pitch Restrictor Through-Bolt

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
33. Position the support table under the cradle.
34. Remove the cradle bolts and lower the cradle onto a support table. See Fig 16 .
35. Using the rear wheel drive shaft removal tool and the slide hammer, separate the left axle shaft from the transaxle. Use a tie strap to keep the axle out of the way. See Fig 17 .
    NOTE: Do not damage the rear wheel drive shaft removal tool.
    NOTE: If the stub shaft disengages from the PTU, separate the PTU from the axle and plug the stub shaft hole to prevent fluid loss.
36. Using the rear wheel drive shaft removal tool and the slide hammer, separate the right axle shaft from the PTU. Tie the strap out of the way. See Fig 18 .
37. Remove the PTU-to-engine bracket bolts and remove bracket. See Fig 19 .
    Fig 16: Removing Cradle Fasteners

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 17: Removing Left-Side Axle Shaft

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 18: Removing Right-Side Axle Shaft

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 19: Removing PTU-To-Engine Bracket & Bolts

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
38. Remove the starter wiring harness.
39. Remove the starter bolts and starter. See Fig 20 .
40. Turn the crank clockwise to gain access to the torque converter-to-flexplate bolts.
41. Remove the torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through the starter hole. See Fig 21 .
42. Remove 3 lower transaxle-to-engine bolts. See Fig 22 .
    Fig 20: Removing Starter Bolts & Starter

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 21: Removing Torque Converter-To-Flexplate Bolts

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 22: Removing Transaxle-To-Engine Bolts

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
43. Remove one engine-to-transaxle bolt located above the PTU.
44. Lower the vehicle and secure the transaxle to a transaxle jack or support table for separating the engine and the transaxle.
    NOTE: The torque converter has a long pilot shaft. Do not put an excessive load on the shaft. Do not lower the transaxle until the shaft is clear of the engine crankshaft.
    NOTE: Do not damage the mating surfaces of the engine or the transaxle.
45. Separate the transaxle from the engine carefully.
46. Lower the transaxle from the vehicle carefully.
47. Remove the PTU vent hose.
48. Remove the PTU bolts and separate the PTU from the transaxle. See Fig 23 .
49. Remove the stub shaft from the transaxle. See Fig 24 .
    Fig 23: Separating PTU From Transaxle

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 24: Removing Stub Shaft

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.