To remove the transaxle, start by disconnecting the cable from the negative terminal of the battery, then remove the air filter duct. Disconnect the shift cable from the manual lever and the bracket on the transaxle, and support the radiator and condenser from above using wire or large plastic tie-wraps. Clearly label and unplug all accessible electrical connectors from the transaxle, detaching the harnesses from the brackets along the top. Attach an engine support fixture or hoist to the engine and raise it to support its weight, ensuring it remains supported during transaxle removal. Remove the upper transaxle-to-engine bolts, loosen the drive axle/hub nuts and front wheel lug nuts, then raise the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands before removing the front wheels. Detach both tie-rod ends from the steering knuckle arms and unbolt the control arms from the subframe. Remove the drive axles, ensuring the control arms are detached to allow for easier removal. Disconnect the electrical connectors from both front ABS wheel speed sensors and detach the harnesses from their clips. Remove the engine-to-transaxle brace and the transaxle-to-oil pan brace, followed by the starter cover bolts and the cover, then the starter motor. Mark the relationship of the torque converter to the drive plate and remove the drive plate-to-torque converter bolts, using a socket and breaker bar or a screwdriver for access. Disconnect and plug the transaxle cooler lines, remove the oil pan-to-bellhousing bracket if equipped, and disconnect all ground wires and other electrical connectors accessible from underneath. Detach the brake line from the clips along the front of the subframe, remove the transaxle cooler lines from the clip, and unbolt the power steering gear, tying it out of the way or removing it completely. Remove any interfering exhaust system components, unbolt all three powertrain mounts from the transaxle, and remove the subframe. Support the transaxle with a jack, preferably a transmission jack, and remove the left transaxle mount bracket-to-transaxle bolts, then check that all interfering wiring, brackets, and mounts are disconnected or removed. Finally, remove the remaining transaxle-to-engine bolts and slide the transaxle out toward the left side of the vehicle. For installation, reverse the removal steps, ensuring the torque converter is completely seated by pushing in while turning it, applying a film of multi-purpose grease to the nose of the converter, and ensuring the transaxle seats against the engine completely before tightening the bolts. Tighten all bolts to the specified torque, check and adjust the front end alignment if necessary, adjust the shift cable, and check the transaxle fluid level, adding fluid as needed.
Posted by GMPartsGiant Specialist 
