Automatic Transmission: Removal: Transaxle

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tools

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

1. Remove the battery and the battery tray. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
2. Disconnect the breather tube and mass air flow (MAF) sensor.
   Fig 2: Disconnecting Breather Tube And Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
3. Remove the intake tube and air cleaner cover.
   Fig 3: Removing Intake Tube And Air Cleaner Cover

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. Remove the air cleaner assembly.
   Fig 4: Removing Air Cleaner Assembly

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. Disconnect the transmission range (TR) sensor.
   Fig 5: Disconnecting Transmission Range (TR) Sensor

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Disconnect the HO2S sensor.
   Fig 6: Disconnecting HO2S Sensor

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Disconnect the transaxle harness connector and remove the wire harness bracket nut.
   Fig 7: Removing Wire Harness Bracket Nut

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Position the wire harness bracket out of the way.
   Fig 8: Positioning Wire Harness Bracket Out Of Way

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Disconnect the vent hose from transmission filler tube bracket.
   Fig 9: Disconnecting Vent Hose From Transmission Filler Tube Bracket

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. Unclip the wire harness.
    Fig 10: Unclipping Wire Harness

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Disconnect the shift cable.
    Fig 11: Disconnecting Shift Cable

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
12. Disconnect the wire harness from the shift cable bracket to gain access to the bracket bolts.
    Fig 12: Disconnecting Wire Harness From Shift Cable Bracket To Gain Access To Bracket Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Remove the shift cable and bracket, and position out of the way.
    Fig 13: Removing Shift Cable And Bracket, And Positioning Out Of Way

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Disconnect the starter motor harness connector.
    Fig 14: Disconnecting Starter Motor Harness Connector

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
15. Disconnect the ground wire.
    Fig 15: Disconnecting Ground Wire

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. Remove two starter bolts, and remove the starter motor.
    Fig 16: Removing Starter Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. Install the special tools.
    Fig 17: Installing Special Tools

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
18. Remove both electrical connectors from the upper intake to gain access to the engine lifting bracket.
    Fig 18: Removing Electrical Connectors From Upper Intake

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
19. Install the special tools.
    Fig 19: Installing Special Tools (1 Of 2)

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
20. Install the special tools.
    Fig 20: Installing Special Tools (2 Of 2)

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
21. Remove the upper transaxle retaining bolts.
    Fig 21: Removing Upper Transaxle Retaining Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
22. Remove the LH upper transaxle mount plate.
    Fig 22: Removing LH Upper Transaxle Mount Plate

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
23. Remove the bolts, and remove the rear transaxle mount.
    Fig 23: Removing Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
24. Remove the RH engine mount bolt.
    Fig 24: Removing RH Engine Mount Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: It is necessary to raise the engine a couple of inches in order to remove the transaxle.
Fig 25: Raising Engine
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
25. Using the special tool raise the engine.
CAUTION: Index-mark the mounting bracket studs and the intermediate shaft bearing bracket holes for correct assembly.
26. Remove the LH and RH halfshaft and intermediate shaft assembly. For additional information, refer to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .
27. Remove the two splash shields.
    Fig 26: Removing Splash Shields

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
28. Disconnect the two HO2S sensors.
    Fig 27: Disconnecting HO2S Sensors

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
29. If transaxle disassembly is necessary, remove the drain plug and drain the fluid into a suitable container.
    • Install the drain plug when the fluid has drained.
    Fig 28: Installing Drain Plug

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
30. Remove the cross brace.
    Fig 29: Removing Cross Brace

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
31. Disconnect the HO2S sensor connector and unclip the two clips from the oil pan bolt studs.
    Fig 30: Disconnecting HO2S Sensor Connector And Unclipping Clips From Oil Pan Bolt Studs

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
32. Remove the exhaust pipe.
    1. Install the special tool.
    2. Remove the rubber hanger.
    3. Remove the bolts, and remove the pipe.
    Fig 31: Removing Exhaust Pipe

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
33. Disconnect the front exhaust pipe flange.
    Fig 32: Disconnecting Front Exhaust Pipe Flange

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
34. Disconnect the rear exhaust pipe flange and remove the exhaust pipe.
    Fig 33: Disconnecting Rear Exhaust Pipe Flange And Removing Exhaust Pipe

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
35. If equipped, remove the rear driveshaft. For additional information, refer to DRIVESHAFT .
36. For four-wheel-drive vehicles, remove the RH exhaust manifold to gain access to the transfer case bracket. For additional information, refer to ENGINE-3.0L (4V) .
37. Remove the bolts and the bracket.
    Fig 34: Removing Bolts And Bracket

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
38. Remove the cross brace dampener.
    Fig 35: Removing Cross Brace Dampener

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
39. Remove the cross brace.
    Fig 36: Removing Cross Brace

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
40. Remove the bolts from the transfer case unit.
    Fig 37: Removing Bolts From Transfer Case Unit

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
41. Remove the transfer case bolt and remove the transfer case unit.
    Fig 38: Removing Transfer Case Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
42. Lower the vehicle.
NOTE: It is necessary to lower the transaxle in order to clear the subframe to remove the transaxle.
Fig 39: Identifying Lower Transaxle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
43. Lower the transaxle enough to clear the subframe.
44. Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
45. Remove the access cover.
    Fig 40: Removing Access Cover

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
46. Remove the four flexplate nuts.
    Fig 41: Removing Flexplate Nuts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
47. Remove the fluid cooler tube.
    1. Disconnect the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor.
    2. Disconnect the turbine shaft speed (TSS) sensor (white connector).
    3. Remove the bolt.
    4. Remove the fluid cooler tube and position it aside.
    Fig 42: Removing Fluid Cooler Tube

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
48. Remove the OSS sensor.
    Fig 43: Removing OSS Sensor

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
49. Remove the fluid cooler line.
    Fig 44: Removing Fluid Cooler Line

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
50. Install the transmission jack and secure the transaxle to the jack.
51. Remove the bolts.
    Fig 45: Removing Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
52. Remove the vent tube.
    Fig 46: Removing Vent Tube

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
53. Remove the bolt.
    Fig 47: Removing Bolt (1 Of 2)

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
54. Remove the bolt.
    Fig 48: Removing Bolt (2 Of 2)

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
CAUTION: The torque converter is heavy. Install the special tool before lowering the transaxle.
Fig 49: Installing Special Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
55. Move the transaxle back far enough to install the special tool.
56. Lower the transaxle from the engine compartment.
    Fig 50: Identifying Lower Transaxle From Engine Compartment

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
57. If installing a new or remanufactured transaxle, remove the roll restrictor bracket.
    Fig 51: Removing Roll Restrictor Bracket

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.