Special Tools Required

Engine support hanger, A & Reds AAR-T-12566*
Engine hanger/adapter VSB02C000015*
Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016*
*These special tools are available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program 1-888-424-6857.

NOTE: Use fender covers to avoid damaging painted surfaces.

Turn the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position, then remove the key from the ignition switch and lock the steering column.
Secure the hood in its vertical position (A).

Fig 1: Identifying Hood In Vertical Position
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Do the battery removal procedure (see REMOVAL ).
Remove the air cleaner assembly (see AIR CLEANER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Remove the intake air duct (see step 5 in ENGINE REMOVAL ).
Remove the battery base (see step 9 in ENGINE REMOVAL ).
Remove the ground cable (A).

Fig 2: Identifying Ground Cable
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Disconnect the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (B) and back-up light switch connector (C).
Remove the cable bracket (A), then disconnect the shift cables (B) from the top of the transmission housing. Carefully remove both cables and the bracket together to avoid bending the cables.

Fig 3: Identifying Cable Bracket & Shift Cables ('07-08 Models)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Fig 4: Identifying Cable Bracket & Shift Cables ('09-11 Models)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the clutch line bracket bolt (A), then carefully move the slave cylinder (B) out of the way to avoid bending the clutch line (C).
NOTE:
- Do not press the clutch pedal after the slave cylinder has been removed.
- Do not disconnect the clutch line joints.
Fig 5: Identifying Slave Cylinder & Clutch Line
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the two upper transmission mounting bolts (A).

Fig 6: Identifying Upper Transmission Mounting Bolts
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Remove the purge joint pipe (A), then attach the engine hanger/adapter (VSB02C000015) to the threaded hole in the cylinder head.

Fig 7: Identifying Purge Joint Pipe & Engine Hanger/Adapter
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T1256) to the vehicle, then attach the hook (A) to the engine hanger/adapter (VSB02C000015). Tighten the wing nut (B) by hand to lift and support the engine.

Fig 8: Identifying Engine Support Hanger & Engine Hanger/Adapter
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the transmission mount bolt (A) and the transmission mount bracket bolt (B) and nuts (C).

Fig 9: Identifying Transmission Mount Bolt, Transmission Mount Bracket Bolt & Nuts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Raise the vehicle on the lift, and make sure it is securely supported.
Remove the splash shield (A).

Fig 10: Identifying Splash Shield
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Drain the transmission fluid. Install the drain plug with a new sealing washer (see TRANSMISSION FLUID INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT ).
Separate the front stabilizer link from the lower arm (see step 3 in STABILIZER LINK REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ), and ball joint from the lower arm (see step 4 in LOWER ARM REPLACEMENT ).
Remove the front driveshafts (see FRONT DRIVESHAFT REMOVAL ). Coat all precision finished surfaces with new engine oil, then tie a plastic bags over the driveshaft ends.
Remove the intermediate shaft (see INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REMOVAL ). Coat all precision finished surfaces with new engine oil, then tie a plastic bag over the intermediate shaft.
4WD: Remove the propeller shaft (see PROPELLER SHAFT REMOVAL ).
Remove the bolt (A) and the nut (B) from the front engine mount bracket (C).

Fig 11: Identifying Front Engine Mount Bracket Bolt & Nut
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the three bolts securing the rear transmission mount.

Fig 12: Identifying Rear Transmission Mount & Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Support the front subframe (A) with the front subframe adapter (VSB02C000016) and a jack (B).

Fig 13: Identifying Front Subframe, Front Subframe Adapter & Jack
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Make reference marks (A) on the front subframe (B). Remove the mounting bolts (C), then remove the front subframe.

Fig 14: Identifying Reference Marks On Front Subframe And Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the clutch cover (A).

Fig 15: Identifying Clutch Cover
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the front engine mount (A).

Fig 16: Identifying Front Engine Mount
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Support the transmission (A) with a transmission jack (B), then remove the four lower transmission mounting bolts (C).

Fig 17: Identifying Transmission, Transmission Jack & Lower Transmission Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Pull the transmission away from the engine until the transmission mainshaft clears the clutch pressure plate.
Slowly lower the transmission about 150 mm (6 in.). Check once again that all hoses and electrical wiring are disconnected and free from the transmission, then lower it all the way.
Remove the rear transmission mount (A) and the rear transmission mount bracket (B).
4WD

Fig 18: Identifying Rear Transmission Mount & Bracket (4WD)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2WD

Fig 19: Identifying Rear Transmission Mount & Bracket (2WD)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the release fork boot (A) from the clutch housing (B).

Fig 20: Identifying Release Fork Boot & Clutch Housing
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the release fork (C) from the clutch housing by squeezing the release fork set spring (D) with pliers. Remove the release bearing (E).