For vehicles with a 5-AT transaxle, ensure the air conditioning system is evacuated by a qualified shop before beginning. Start by relieving the fuel pressure, then remove the battery and its tray along with the support bracket. Take out the air filter housing and disconnect the electrical connector for the transmission range sensor, along with any other ground wires or wire retainers from the transaxle. Disconnect all wiring from the engine compartment junction block and drain the cooling system. Remove the PCM, air conditioning low pressure tube near the engine lift bracket, high-pressure switch wiring harness, battery cable from the alternator, and tubes from the air conditioning compressor. Remove the air conditioning tube from the condenser to the compressor, the hose from the coolant reservoir, and disconnect the radiator and heater hoses from the engine. Disconnect the fuel supply line and EVAP hose, then remove the flywheel inspection cover and pushpin fasteners from the front fenders. Remove the transmission range switch with its bracket and the transaxle vent hose. Disconnect the shift cable from the transaxle shift lever and the cable from the transaxle bracket. Remove the headlight fasteners and secure the radiator to the core support. Attach an engine support fixture to the lifting hook at the transaxle end of the engine, or use a bolt if no hook is available. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle, and support it on jackstands. Remove the wheels and left inner fender splash shield, then take out the pushpins holding the front air dam to the subframe. Drain the transaxle lubricant and disconnect the interfering exhaust pipe on V6 models. Disconnect the transaxle fluid cooler lines, sealing the ends to prevent contamination, and remove the accessible transaxle-to-engine bolts. For AWD models, remove the driveshaft and mark its position. Disconnect the lower stabilizer bar links and detach the steering from the subframe. Disconnect the ball joints and tie-rod ends from the knuckles. With the engine supported, remove the transaxle mounts and interfering brackets. Support the subframe with two floor jacks, then remove the subframe mounting bolts and lower it carefully. Disconnect the left driveaxle from the transaxle, and for FWD models, remove the right driveaxle and intermediate shaft. For AWD models, disconnect the right driveaxle from the transfer case and remove the driveaxle O-ring. Remove the starter, then through the starter hole, paint an alignment mark on the drive plate and torque converter, rotating the engine to remove all torque converter-to-drive plate bolts. For AWD models, remove the transfer case and stub shaft if necessary. Support the transaxle with a jack, preferably one designed for this purpose, and remove the remaining bolts securing the transaxle to the engine. Move the transaxle to disengage it from the engine block dowel pins and ensure the torque converter is detached from the drive plate before lowering it. Discard the O-ring from the torque converter/differential. For installation, reverse the removal procedure while ensuring the torque converter engages properly with the transaxle fluid pump. Install all drive plate-to-torque converter nuts before tightening, and ensure all mounting bolts are tightened to specified torque values. Fill the transaxle with the correct type and amount of automatic transmission fluid, adjust the shift cable, and after reconnecting the battery, allow the Powertrain Control Module to relearn its idle and fuel mixture trim strategy. Finally, replace all previously discarded O-rings.
Posted by GMPartsGiant Specialist 
