Automatic Transmission: Removal: Transaxle: Removal

NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive shift strategy.

Remove the battery. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Loosen the clamps and remove the air cleaner tube.

Fig 1: Removing Air Cleaner Tube
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the air cleaner assembly. For additional information, refer to INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION & FILTERING .

Fig 2: Removing Air Cleaner Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the electrical connectors.
1. Disconnect the digital transmission range (TR) sensor electrical connector.
2. Disconnect the transaxle electrical connector.
3. Disconnect the speed control electrical connector.
Fig 3: Disconnecting Electrical Connectors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the transmission selector cable from the bracket.
1. Disconnect the transmission selector cable end from the manual lever.
2. Push the lock tab and separate the transmission selector cable from the bracket.
3. Position the transmission selector cable out of the way.
Fig 4: Removing Transmission Selector Cable From Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the wire harness from the bracket.

Fig 5: Disconnecting Wire Harness From Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the manual control lever.

Fig 6: Removing Manual Control Lever
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the hood.
Remove the wiper arm and pivot assembly. For additional information, refer to WIPERS AND WASHERS .
Remove the passenger compartment air intake box.

Fig 7: Removing Passenger Compartment Air Intake Box
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the air intake tube.

Fig 8: Removing Air Intake Tube
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the front upper radiator shield.

Fig 9: Removing Front Upper Radiator Shield
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the hood latch and position aside.

Fig 10: Removing Hood Latch
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the oil filler cap.

Fig 11: Removing Oil Filler Cap
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the special tool (front of engine compartment).

Fig 12: Installing Special Tool (Front Of Engine Compartment)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the special tool (rear of engine compartment).

Fig 13: Installing Special Tool (Rear Of Engine Compartment)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the special tools.

Fig 14: Installing Special Tools
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the bolt and the upper fluid filler tube.

Fig 15: Removing Upper Fluid Filler Tube
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the fluid cooler tube retaining clips.

Fig 16: Removing Fluid Cooler Tube Retaining Clips
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Depress the tabs on the plastic insert retainer and remove the cooler line from the fitting.

Fig 17: Removing Cooler Line From Fitting
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the two transaxle retaining bolts.

Fig 18: Removing Transaxle Retaining Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
Remove the bolts and remove the anti-roll bracket.

Fig 19: Removing Anti-Roll Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the rear transaxle support nut.

Fig 20: Removing Rear Transaxle Support Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Drain the transmission fluid by lowering the transaxle pan.

NOTE: The transaxle fluid pan does not need to be tightened in this step.

Install the transaxle pan.
Remove the catalytic converter assembly. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Disconnect the LH knuckle assembly.
1. Disconnect the LH tie rod assembly.
2. Disconnect the LH sway bar assembly.
3. Remove the LH pinch bolt.
Fig 21: Disconnecting LH Knuckle Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Do not damage the tie-rod end boot when installing the special tool.

NOTE: Remove the adapter from the ball end of the special tool.

Fig 22: Disconnecting Tie-Rod-End

G04004790

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Apply a small amount of grease to the tie-rod end stud and the ball of the special tool. Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod-end.
Disconnect the RH knuckle assembly.
1. Disconnect the RH tie rod assembly.
2. Disconnect the RH sway bar assembly.
3. Remove the RH pinch bolt.
Fig 23: Disconnecting RH Knuckle Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Do not damage the tie-rod end boot when installing the special tool.

NOTE: Remove the adapter from the ball end of the special tool.

Fig 24: Disconnecting Tie-Rod-End

G04004792

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Apply a small amount of grease to the tie-rod end stud and the ball of the special tool. Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod-end.
Remove the nuts for the power steering rack.

Fig 25: Removing Nuts For Power Steering Rack
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the retainer for the power steering line.

Fig 26: Disconnecting Retainer For Power Steering Line
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the retainer for the power steering hose.

Fig 27: Disconnecting Retainer For Power Steering Hose
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the retainer for the power steering line.

Fig 28: Disconnecting Retainer For Power Steering Line
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the front engine mount nut.

Fig 29: Removing Front Engine Mount Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the rear engine mount nut.

Fig 30: Removing Rear Engine Mount Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position a suitable lift under the vehicle and raise it to the subframe.
Remove the left front subframe bolt.

Fig 31: Removing Left Front Subframe Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the right front subframe bolt.

Fig 32: Removing Right Front Subframe Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the left rear subframe bolt.

Fig 33: Removing Left Rear Subframe Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Disconnect the heat shield from the subframe prior to lowering it from the vehicle.

Fig 34: Removing Right Rear Subframe Bolt

G04004802

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the right rear subframe bolt and partially lower the subframe assembly.
Remove two bolts from the LH sway bar assembly.

Fig 35: Removing Bolts From LH Sway Bar Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove two bolts from the RH sway bar assembly.

Fig 36: Removing Bolts From RH Sway Bar Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the sway bar assembly.

Fig 37: Removing Sway Bar Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Lower the subframe from under the vehicle.
Install the special tool.

Fig 38: Installing Special Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
The use of mechanic's wire will aid in holding the power steering rack up in the vehicle.
Remove the ground wire.

Fig 39: Removing Ground Wire
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The use of mechanic's wire will aid in positioning the starter aside.

Fig 40: Removing Starter

G04004808

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the starter and position it aside.
Loosen the inspection cover bolt.

Fig 41: Loosening Inspection Cover Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the push pin for the inspection cover.

Fig 42: Removing Push Pin For Inspection Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove both parts of the inspection cover.

Fig 43: Removing Both Parts Of Inspection Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove and discard the 4 torque converter nuts.

Fig 44: Removing Torque Converter Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The use of mechanic's wire will aid in positioning the halfshafts aside.

Fig 45: Removing LH Halfshaft From Transaxle

G03954347

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using the special tools, remove the LH halfshaft from the transaxle and position aside.

NOTE: The use of mechanic's wire will aid in positioning the halfshafts out of the way.

Fig 46: Removing RH Halfshaft From Transaxle

G03956883

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using the special tools, remove the RH halfshaft from the transaxle and position out of the way.
Disconnect the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor connector.

Fig 47: Disconnecting Output Shaft Speed (OSS) Sensor Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the turbine shaft speed (TSS) sensor connector.

Fig 48: Disconnecting Turbine Shaft Speed (TSS) Sensor Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the high-lift transmission jack under the transaxle.

Fig 49: Positioning High-Lift Transmission Jack Under Transaxle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the rear lower retaining bolt.

Fig 50: Removing Rear Lower Retaining Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the front lower retaining bolt.

Fig 51: Removing Front Lower Retaining Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the oil pan-to-transaxle retaining bolt.

Fig 52: Removing Oil Pan-To-Transaxle Retaining Bolt (1 Of 2)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the oil pan-to-transaxle retaining bolt.

Fig 53: Removing Oil Pan-To-Transaxle Retaining Bolt (2 Of 2)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the transaxle retaining bolts.

Fig 54: Removing Transaxle Retaining Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Lower the transaxle assembly from the engine compartment.
Remove the transmission selector cable bracket.

Fig 55: Removing Transmission Selector Cable Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the rear support bracket.

Fig 56: Removing Rear Support Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: If installing a new or remanufactured transaxle, the heat shield must be transferred to the new or remanufactured transaxle.

Fig 57: Removing Exhaust Heat Shield

G04004721

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the exhaust heat shield.
Carry out the transmission fluid cooler backflushing/cleaning. For additional information, refer to TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER - BACKFLUSHING AND CLEANING .