Tools Required

J 36850  Transjel Lubricant. See Special Tools .

1. Remove the engine dress cover.
2. Disconnect the MAF sensor harness connector from the MAF and disconnect the air intake duct from throttle body.
3. Disconnect the EVAP emission hose from the EVAP valve.
Fig 1: View Of Transaxle Range Selector Cable & Shift Lever
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Remove the shift cable from the transaxle range selector.
5. Remove the transaxle shift cable bracket bolts and the bracket from the transaxle.
6. Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness connector.
7. Remove both engine supports from the engine and radiator support.
Fig 2: Identifying Case Side Cover Bolts/Locations
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. Remove top side cover bolt (56,58).
9. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L.
10. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
11. Remove the left front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
12. Remove the inner fender splash shield.
13. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness from 4 retainers on lower control arm.
14. Remove the transmission mount-to-frame nuts (2).
15. Using side cutters, remove the plastic pencil-like support on the left side of the front splash shield, just below the left front frame bolt.
16. Remove the front cradle to radiator support brackets on each side.
17. Remove both stabilizer links from the stabilizer and reposition stabilizer to access steering gear- to-frame bolts.
18. Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts and support steering gear.
19. Remove the positive battery cable center retainer at front rail.
20. Remove the left side ball joint from the steering knuckle.
21. Support the left frame rail with a jack stand.
22. Remove only the left two frame-to-body bolts. DO NOT LOOSEN RIGHT SIDE FRAME-TO-BODY BOLTS.
23. Lower the frame with jack stand and remove jack stand.
24. Position the drain pan under transaxle side cover.
25. Remove the left drive axle from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
26. Secure the drive axle to the strut assembly.
27. Lower the vehicle.
28. Using the engine support fixture lower the engine assembly to access the transaxle case side cover.
29. Raise the vehicle.
Fig 3: View Of Transaxle Mount Bracket And Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
30. Remove the transaxle mount bracket bolts and the bracket from the transaxle.
Fig 4: Identifying Case Side Cover Bolts/Locations
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
31. Remove the remaining case side cover bolts (56,57,58).
Fig 5: Identifying Case Side Cover
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
32. Remove the case side cover (53).
33. Remove the case side cover gasket (54).
34. Remove the case side cover O-ring (59).
35. Clean the side cover gasket mating surfaces.