Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine Support Hanger, A and Reds AAR-T1256*
• 2008 V6 Attachment Arm SIL02C000033*
• Subframe Adapter VSB02C000016*
• Engine Hanger Balance Bar VSB02C000019*

*Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program 888-424-6857.

1. Secure the hood in the wide open position with the support rod.
2. Set the wheels in the straight ahead position, and lock the steering wheel.
3. Drain the power steering fluid from the reservoir (see FLUID CHECK/REPLACEMENT ).
4. Do the battery removal procedure (see BATTERY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
5. Remove the engine cover, the intake air duct, and the air cleaner housing.
6. Remove the auxiliary under-hood fuse/relay box from its bracket, and remove the bracket from the battery base.
7. Remove the battery base and the battery base bracket.
8. Remove the front bulkhead cover.
9. Raise the vehicle on a lift, and make sure it is securely supported. Remove the front wheels.
10. Remove the splash shield (see SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
11. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
    Fig 1: Drain Plug And Sealing Washer With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B).
13. Disconnect the steering joint (see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
14. Remove the power steering pump outlet line (A) from the power steering pump, and remove the hose clamp bolt (B).
    Fig 2: Identifying Power Steering Pump Outlet Line And Hose Clamp Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
15. Disconnect the transmission breather hose (A) from the breather pipe (B) at the transmission housing.
    Fig 3: Identifying Transmission Breather Hose And Breather Pipe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Remove the positive starter cable (A), and disconnect the S terminal connector (B) from the starter.
    Fig 4: Identifying Positive Starter Cable, Terminal Connector, Harness Clamp And Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Remove the harness clamp (C) from the clamp bracket (D), and remove the clamp bracket.
18. Remove the dipstick, then remove the starter (A) and the gasket (B).
    Fig 5: Identifying Starter And Gasket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Remove the spring clip (A) and the control pin (B), then separate the shift cable end (C) from the selector control lever (D).
    Fig 6: Identifying Spring Clip, And Control Pin, Shift Cable End And Selector Control Lever

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Remove the nuts securing the shift cable bracket (E).
21. Check the bushing (F) in the shift cable end for proper fit and wear. If the bushing is loose or worn, replace the shift cable (see SHIFT CABLE REPLACEMENT  ).
22. Disconnect these connectors:
    • A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector (A)
    • A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve B connector (B)
    • Transmission fluid pressure switch C (4th clutch) connector (C)
    • Shift solenoid wire harness connector (D)
      Fig 7: Identifying A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve Connector And Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
23. Remove the harness cover mounting bolt (E), the harness clamp (F), and the harness cover (G).
24. Disconnect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C connector (A).
    Fig 8: Identifying A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve Connector, Harness Cover, Harness Clamp And Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Remove the bolts securing the harness cover (B).
26. Remove the harness clamp (C) from its bracket (D), and remove the bracket.
27. Disconnect the transmission range switch connector (A).
    Fig 9: Identifying Transmission Range Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
28. Disconnect the ATF cooler hoses (A) from the ATF cooler lines (B). Turn the ends of the cooler hoses up to prevent ATF from flowing out, then plug the cooler hoses and lines.
    Fig 10: Identifying ATF Cooler Hoses And ATF Cooler Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Disconnect these connectors:
    • Input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (A)
    • Output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (B)
    • ATF temperature sensor connector (C)
    • Transmission fluid pressure switch B (3rd clutch) connector (D)
      Fig 11: Identifying Input And Output Shaft Speed Sensor Connector And ATF Temperature Sensor Connector

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
30. Disconnect the transmission fluid pressure switch A (2nd clutch) connector (A).
    Fig 12: Identifying Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch (2nd Clutch) Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Remove the bolt (A) securing the connector bracket (B) from the front cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole (C) to attach the engine hanger balancer bar front arm.
    Fig 13: Identifying Bolt, Connector Bracket And Bracket Bolt Hole

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. Remove the bolt (A) securing the harness clamp bracket (B) from the rear cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole (C) to attach the 2008 V6 attachment arm.
    Fig 14: Identifying Bolt Harness Clamp Bracket And Bracket Bolt Hole

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Remove the cowl top side cover (A) from both sides.
    Fig 15: Identifying Cowl Top Side Cover, Hanger Beam And Damper

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. With the engine support hanger (AAR-T1256) on its side, insert the hanger beam (B) through the opening, then rotate it over the damper (C).
35. Install the engine hanger balance bar (VSB02C000019). Attach the front arm (A) to the front cylinder head with several spacers (B) and a 10 x 1.25 mm bolt (C). Remove the rear arm from the engine hanger balance bar, then install the 2008 V6 attachment arm (SIL02C000033). Attach the 2008 V6 attachment arm to the rear cylinder head with an 8 x 1.25 mm bolt (D).
    Fig 16: Identifying Front Arm, Spacers And Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T1256) onto the vehicle as shown, and attach the hook to the slotted hole in the engine hanger balance bar. Tighten the wing nut (E) by hand, to lift and support the engine.
    • Be careful when working around the windshield.
    • Be careful not to damage the hood opener cable when installing the engine support hanger at the front bulkhead.
    • AAR-T1256 two sets required for stacking additional cross section bar.
37. Remove the front mount stop (A) and the front mount bolt (B).
    Fig 17: Identifying Front Mount Stop And Front Mount Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
38. Remove the front subframe stiffener.
    Fig 18: Identifying Front Subframe Stiffener

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
39. Remove the front secondary HO2S (see SECONDARY HO2S REPLACEMENT ).
40. Remove exhaust pipe A and the gaskets (B).
    Fig 19: Identifying Exhaust Pipe And Gaskets

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
41. Remove the cotter pins (A) and the nuts (B), and separate the tie-rod end ball joints (C) from the knuckles (see step 3 under REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
    Fig 20: Identifying Cotter Pins, Nuts And Tie-Rod End Ball Joints

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench (D) in the top of the ball joint pin (E), and remove the nuts (F), then separate the stabilizer link (G).
43. Remove the lock pins (H) and the castle nuts (I), and separate the lower arms (J) from the knuckles (K) (see step 5 under REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
44. 4WD: Remove the bolt securing the transfer breather hose bracket (A), and disconnect the breather hose (B) from the breather pipe (C) on the transfer assembly.
    Fig 21: Identifying Transfer Breather Hose Bracket, Breather Hose And Breather Pipe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
45. 4WD: Make a reference mark (A) across the propeller shaft (B) and the transfer companion flange (C), and separate the propeller shaft from the transfer companion flange.
    Fig 22: Identifying Reference Mark, Propeller Shaft And Transfer Companion Flange

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
46. 4WD: Remove the transfer assembly (A) and the dowel pin (B) from the transmission.
    Fig 23: Identifying Transfer Assembly And Dowel Pin

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
47. Disconnect the engine mount control system connector.
    Fig 24: Identifying Engine Mount Control System Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
48. Remove the torque converter cover (A), and remove the drive plate bolts (B) (8) while rotating the crankshaft pulley.
    Fig 25: Identifying Torque Converter Cover And Drive Plate Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
49. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 26: Identifying Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
50. Loosen the hose clamp bolt (A), then disconnect the power steering fluid hose (B) from the power steering fluid line at the left front of the subframe. Turn the end of the hose up to prevent power steering fluid from flowing out, then plug the hose and line.
    Fig 27: Identifying Hose Clamp Bolt And Power Steering Fluid Hose

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
51. Remove the transmission lower mount bolt.
    Fig 28: Identifying Transmission Lower Mount Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
52. Remove the four rear mount bracket bolts.
    Fig 29: Identifying Rear Mount Bracket Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
53. Attach the front subframe adapter (VSB02C000016) to the subframe by looping the belt (A) over the front of the subframe (B), then secure the belt with its stop (C).
    Fig 30: Identifying Belt, Subframe And Stop

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
54. Raise the jack and line up the slots on the front subframe adapter arms with the bolt holes on the jack base, then securely attach them with four bolts.
55. Remove the six 12 x 1.25 mm bolts (A) securing the subframe stiffeners (B), the four subframe mounting bolts (C), and the stiffeners, then lower the front subframe (D).
    Fig 31: Identifying Bolts, Subframe Stiffeners, Four Subframe Mounting Bolts And Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
56. Remove the transmission lower mount (A).
    Fig 32: Identifying Transmission Lower Mount And Transmission Ground Terminal

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
57. Remove the transmission ground terminal (B).
58. Remove the left side driveshaft from the differential. Coat all precision machined surfaces with clean engine oil, then put plastic bag over the left driveshaft end. Support the left side driveshaft with nylon strap.
    NOTE: Plug the left side driveshaft hole (A) to prevent dirt and solvent from entering the transmission.
    Fig 33: Identifying Left Side Driveshaft Hole

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
59. Remove the rear warm up three way catalytic converter (WU-TWC) bracket (A), and remove the right side driveshaft (B).
    NOTE: Plug the right side driveshaft hole (C) to prevent dirt and solvent from entering the transmission.
    Fig 34: Identifying Three Way Catalytic Converter (WU-TWC) Bracket, Right Side Driveshaft And Right Side Driveshaft Hole

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
60. Coat all precision finished surfaces with clean engine oil, then put plastic bags over right side driveshaft. Support the right side driveshaft with nylon strap.
61. Remove the driveshaft support base (A).
    Fig 35: Identifying Driveshaft Support Base

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
62. Remove the CKP sensor cover (A) and disconnect the CKP sensor connector (B).
    Fig 36: Identifying CKP Sensor Cover And CKP Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
63. Remove the bolt securing the sensor harness clamp bracket (C).
64. Remove the upper transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 37: Identifying Upper Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
65. Remove the front mount bracket (A).
    Fig 38: Identifying Front Mount Bracket And Transmission Housing Mounting Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
66. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolt (B).
67. Place a jack under the transmission.
68. Remove the lower transmission housing mounting
    Fig 39: Identifying Lower Transmission Housing Mounting

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
69. Remove the rear transmission housing mounting bolts.
    NOTE: Be careful not to damage the CKP sensor.
    Fig 40: Identifying Rear Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
70. Check once again that the transmission is free of hoses, and electrical wiring.
71. Lower the transmission by loosening the wing nut on the engine support hanger, and tilt the engine just enough for the transmission to clear its end from the side frame.
72. Slide the transmission away from the engine to remove it from the vehicle.
73. Remove the torque converter and the dowel pins.
    Fig 41: Identifying Torque Converter And Dowel Pins

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
74. Inspect the drive plate, and replace it if it's damaged (see DRIVE PLATE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION  ).