Automatic Transmission: Removal: Transaxle

Special Tool(s) 

Fig 1: Special Tools Specifications

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive shift strategy.
1. Remove the battery. For additional information, refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM .
2. Loosen the clamps and remove the air cleaner tube.
   Fig 2: Removing Air Cleaner Tube

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
3. Remove the air cleaner assembly. For additional information, refer to AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY .
   Fig 3: Removing Air Cleaner Assembly

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. 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 4: Disconnecting Electrical Connectors

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. 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 5: Removing Transmission Selector Cable From Bracket

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Disconnect the wire harness from the bracket.
   Fig 6: Disconnecting Wire Harness From Bracket

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Remove the manual control lever.
   Fig 7: Removing Manual Control Lever

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Remove the hood.
9. Remove the wiper arm and pivot assembly. For additional information, refer to WINDSHIELD WIPER
10. Remove the passenger compartment air intake box.
    Fig 8: Removing Passenger Compartment Air Intake Box

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Remove the air intake tube.
    Fig 9: Removing Air Intake Tube

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
12. Remove the front upper radiator shield.
    Fig 10: Removing Front Upper Radiator Shield

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Remove the hood latch and position aside.
    Fig 11: Removing Hood Latch

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Remove the oil filler cap.
    Fig 12: Removing Oil Filler Cap

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
15. Install the special tool (front of engine compartment).
    Fig 13: Installing Special Tool To Front Of Engine

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. Install the special tool (rear of engine compartment).
    Fig 14: Installing Special Tool To Rear Of Engine

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. Install the special tools.
    Fig 15: Installing Special Tools

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
18. Remove the bolt and the upper fluid filler tube.
    Fig 16: Removing Upper Fluid Filler Tube

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
19. Remove the fluid cooler tube retaining clips.
    Fig 17: Removing Fluid Cooler Tube Retaining Clips

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
20. Depress the tabs on the plastic insert retainer and remove the cooler line from the fitting.
    Fig 18: Removing Cooler Line From Fitting

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
21. Remove the two transaxle retaining bolts.
    Fig 19: Removing Transaxle Retaining Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
22. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
23. Remove the bolts and remove the anti-roll bracket.
    Fig 20: Removing Anti-Roll Bracket

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
24. Remove the rear transaxle support nut.
    Fig 21: Removing Rear Transaxle Support Nut

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
25. Drain the transmission fluid by lowering the transaxle pan.
NOTE: The transaxle fluid pan does not need to be tightened in this step.
26. Install the transaxle pan.
27. Remove the catalytic converter assembly. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST SYSTEM .
28. 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 22: 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 23: Disconnecting LH Tie-Rod-End
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
29. 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.
30. 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 24: 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 25: Disconnecting RH Tie-Rod-End
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
31. 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.
32. Remove the nuts for the power steering rack.
    Fig 26: Removing Power Steering Rack Nuts

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

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
34. Disconnect the retainer for the power steering hose.
    Fig 28: Disconnecting Power Steering Hose Retainer

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
35. Disconnect the retainer for the power steering line.
    Fig 29: Disconnecting Power Steering Line Retainer

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
36. Remove the front engine mount nut.
    Fig 30: Removing Front Engine Mount Nut

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
37. Remove the rear engine mount nut.
    Fig 31: Removing Rear Engine Mount Nut

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
38. Position a suitable lift under the vehicle and raise it to the subframe.
39. Remove the left front subframe bolt.
    Fig 32: Removing Left Front Subframe Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
40. Remove the right front subframe bolt.
    Fig 33: Removing Right Front Subframe Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
41. Remove the left rear subframe bolt.
    Fig 34: 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 35: Removing Right Rear Subframe Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
42. Remove the right rear subframe bolt and partially lower the subframe assembly.
43. Remove two bolts from the LH sway bar assembly.
    Fig 36: Removing LH Sway Bar Assembly Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
44. Remove two bolts from the RH sway bar assembly.
    Fig 37: Removing RH Sway Bar Assembly Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
45. Remove the sway bar assembly.
    Fig 38: Removing Sway Bar Assembly

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
46. Lower the subframe from under the vehicle.
47. Install the special tool.
    Fig 39: Installing Special Tool

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
48. The use of mechanic's wire will aid in holding the power steering rack up in the vehicle.
49. Remove the ground wire.
    Fig 40: Removing Ground Wire

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The use of mechanic's wire will aid in positioning the starter aside.
Fig 41: Removing Starter
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
50. Remove the starter and position it aside.
51. Loosen the inspection cover bolt.
    Fig 42: Loosening Inspection Cover Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
52. Remove the pushpin for the inspection cover.
    Fig 43: Removing Pushpin For Inspection Cover

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
53. Remove both parts of the inspection cover.
    Fig 44: Removing Inspection Cover

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
54. Remove and discard the 4 torque converter nuts.
    Fig 45: Removing Torque Converter Nuts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The use of mechanic's wire will aid in positioning the halfshafts aside.
Fig 46: Removing LH Halfshaft From Transaxle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
55. 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 47: Removing RH Halfshaft From Transaxle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
56. Using the special tools, remove the RH halfshaft from the transaxle and position out of the way.
57. Disconnect the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor connector.
    Fig 48: Disconnecting Output Shaft Speed (OSS) Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
58. Disconnect the turbine shaft speed (TSS) sensor connector.
    Fig 49: Disconnecting Turbine Shaft Speed (TSS) Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
59. Position the high-lift transmission jack under the transaxle.
    Fig 50: Positioning High-Lift Transmission Jack Under Transaxle

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
60. Remove the rear lower retaining bolt.
    Fig 51: Removing Rear Lower Retaining Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
61. Remove the front lower retaining bolt.
    Fig 52: Removing Front Lower Retaining Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
62. Remove the oil pan-to-transaxle retaining bolt.
    Fig 53: Removing Oil Pan-To-Transaxle Retaining Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
63. Remove the oil pan-to-transaxle retaining bolt.
    Fig 54: Removing Oil Pan-To-Transaxle Retaining Bolt

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
64. Remove the transaxle retaining bolts.
    Fig 55: Removing Transaxle Retaining Bolts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
65. Lower the transaxle assembly from the engine compartment.
66. Remove the transmission selector cable bracket.
    Fig 56: Removing Transmission Selector Cable Bracket

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
67. Remove the rear support bracket.
    Fig 57: 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 58: Removing Exhaust Heat Shield
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
68. Remove the exhaust heat shield.
69. Carry out the transmission fluid cooler backflushing/cleaning. For additional information, refer to TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER- BACKFLUSHING AND CLEANING .