Automatic Transaxle (AISIN Aw21): Removal: Transaxle

	Eye, Engine Lift 303-1245
	Bar, Engine Spreader 303-1246
	Powertrain Lift With Tilting Plate 300-OTC-1585AE
	Remover, Tie-Rod End 211-105
	Support Bar, Engine 303-F072

All vehicles 

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
2. Remove the Air Cleaner (ACL) and the outlet pipe. For additional information, refer to INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION AND FILTERING - 3.5L .
3. Remove the starter motor. For additional information, refer to STARTING SYSTEM .
4. Remove the upper intake manifold. For additional information, refer to ENGINE - 3.5L .
5. Disconnect the selector lever cable end.
   Fig 1: Location of Selector Lever Cable End

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Remove the 2 bolts and the nut for the selector lever cable bracket and position the cable and bracket aside.
   Fig 2: Location of Selector Lever Cable Bracket Bolts And Nut

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Disconnect the wire harness from the Transmission Control Module (TCM).
   Fig 3: Location of Transmission Control Module (TCM) Electrical Connector

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Disconnect the wiring harness fasteners from the torque converter housing stud bolt and the starter motor.
   Fig 4: Location of Wiring Harness Fasteners And Torque Converter Housing Stud Bolt

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Remove the 2 ground strap bolts and position aside the ground straps.
   Fig 5: Location of Ground Straps And Bolts

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. Remove the 4 upper torque converter housing bolts.
    Fig 6: Location of Upper Torque Converter Housing Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Install the Engine Lift Eye on the LH cylinder head.
    Fig 7: Installing Engine Lift Eye On LH Cylinder Head

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
12. Install the Engine Support Bar and Engine Spreader Bar to support the engine.
    Fig 8: Installing Engine Support Bar And Engine Spreader Bar

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Remove the transaxle support insulator through bolt.
    Fig 9: Location of Transaxle Support Insulator Through Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Using the Engine Support Bar, lower the transaxle and remove the 2 transaxle support insulator bracket nuts, the bolt and the bracket.
    Fig 10: Location of Transaxle Support Insulator Bracket Bolt And Nuts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
15. If a transaxle exchange or overhaul is required, the transmission fluid must be drained.
    • Remove the transmission drain plug and allow the transmission fluid to drain.
      Fig 11: Location of Transmission Drain Plug

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. If removed, install the transmission fluid drain plug.
    • Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).
      Fig 12: Location of Transmission Drain Plug

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. Remove the 4 screws and position the RH fender splash shield aside.
    Fig 13: Location of Fender Splash Shield Mounting Screws

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
18. Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown in illustration) and the RH splash shield.
    Fig 14: Location of Pin-Type Retainers And RH Splash Shield

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
19. Remove the 4 screws and position the LH fender splash shield aside.
    Fig 15: Location of LH Fender Splash Shield Mounting Screws

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
20. Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown in illustration) and the LH splash shield.
    Fig 16: Location of LH Splash Shield And Pin-Type Retainers

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
21. Remove the LH halfshaft. For additional information, refer to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .

    Front Wheel Drive (FWD) 

22. Remove the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST SYSTEM .
23. Remove the RH intermediate shaft. For additional information, refer to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .

    All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles 

24. Remove the PTU. For additional information, refer to TRANSFER CASE - POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU) .

    All vehicles 

NOTE: Front Wheel Drive (FWD) shown in illustration, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) similar.
Fig 17: Location of Roll Restrictor Bracket Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
25. Remove the 2 roll restrictor bracket bolts.
NOTE: LH shown in illustration, RH similar.
Fig 18: Location of Cotter Pin And Nut On Tie-Rod Ends
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
26. Remove the cotter pins and nuts from the tie-rod ends.
NOTE: LH shown in illustration, RH similar.
Fig 19: Separating Tie-Rod Ends From Wheel Knuckles Using Tie-Rod End Remover (211-105)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
27. Using the Tie-Rod End Remover, separate the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckles.
NOTE: LH shown in illustration, RH similar.
Fig 20: Location of Stabilizer Bar Link Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
28. Remove the nuts and separate the stabilizer bar links from the struts.
29. Remove the 3 power steering return line bolts.
    Fig 21: Location of Power Steering Return Line Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
30. Remove the 3 steering gear mounting bolts.
    Fig 22: Location of Steering Gear Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Use care when handling the steering gear to avoid unseating the steering gear/dash seal. If the steering gear/dash seal becomes unseated, water and foreign material may enter the passenger compartment and damage to the vehicle interior can occur.
NOTE: The steering gear is not removed with the front subframe and must be positioned aside.
31. Position the steering gear aside using mechanic's wire.
32. Position the Powertrain Lift With Tilting Plate under the subframe assembly.
    Fig 23: Positioning Powertrain Lift With Tilting Plate Under Subframe Assembly

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: LH shown in illustration, RH similar.
Fig 24: Location of Bracket-To-Body Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
33. Remove the 4 subframe bracket-to-body bolts.
NOTE: LH shown in illustration, RH similar.
Fig 25: Location of Rear Subframe Bracket Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
34. Remove the 2 rear subframe nuts and the 2 subframe brackets.
NOTE: LH shown in illustration, RH similar.
Fig 26: Location of Front Subframe Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
35. Remove the 2 front subframe nuts.
36. Lower the subframe assembly from the vehicle.
37. Remove the 2 fasteners and the inspection cover.
    Fig 27: Location of Inspection Cover And Fasteners

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
38. Remove and discard the 4 torque converter nuts.
    Fig 28: Location of Torque Converter Nut

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
39. Disconnect the transmission fluid cooler hoses from the transmission fluid cooler tubes.
    Fig 29: Location of Transmission Fluid Cooler Hoses

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
40. Support the transaxle with a suitable transmission jack. Secure the transaxle to the transmission jack with a safety strap.
41. Remove the 7 torque converter housing bolts and remove the transaxle.
    Fig 30: Location of Torque Converter Housing Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
42. If installing a new transaxle, the transmission fluid cooler will need to be backflushed and cleaned. Carry out transmission fluid cooler tube backflushing and cleaning. For additional information, refer to TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER - BACKFLUSHING AND CLEANING  .