Replace Automatic Transmission
How to Remove an Automatic TransmissionRemoving a transmission
is not as difficult as it sounds. Most shops charge huge amounts of labor time to
remove and replace the unit. By removing it yourself, you can save hundreds of dollars.
A transmission can fail in many ways but some of the most popular malfunctions include
clutch slippage, internal breakage
and fluid leaks. While some repairs can be done with the transmission in the car
for major repairs the transmission must be removed. When replacing an automatic
transmission consider
changing the transmission
fluid cooler as well. This cooler is located inside the radiator and it is likely
the radiator will need to be replaced.
The fluid cooler can trap metal debris from the previous failed transmission.
This can cause premature failure of the replacement transmission. Transmissions
are heavy and a little awkward. A transmission jack should be used to hold the transmission’s
weight and help you slowly remove it from the vehicle. Often times people will use
a regular hydraulic jack to lower a transmission. However, the transmission can
slip off the jack and cause damage to the transmission or produce an injury.Before we begin start with the car on level ground with the
emergency brake on and the
engine off. Always lift the car by
the manufactures recommended instructions and secure the car with jack stands. Be
sure to have plenty of clearance to work under the vehicle. Also, we will be dealing
with transmission fluid so be sure to wear protective clothing, eyewear and gloves.
Disconnect the negative battery cable
before you start to avoid
electrical damage.
Tools and Supplies to Complete this Job1. Hydraulic jack2. High quality jack stands3. Transmission jack4. Wrench set5. Socket set with various extensions
6. Screwdriver Set7. Line Wrench set8. Fluid catch pan9. Replacement Transmission10. Solvent Cleaner11. Leverage bar
12. Fluid funnelDirectionsStep 1 - Locate and activate the car hood release handle, then release the secondary safety latch and open the hood, secure with prop rod if needed. Step 2 - First, you will need to remove the vehicle’s driveshaft. On the rear of the drive shaft is a universal joint. It is held to the differential by u-bolts. Remove the u-bolts and pushing forward on the driveshaft, slip the u-joint away from the differential. Step 3 - Carefully, slide the front yoke from the transmission housing and remove the driveshaft. Step 4 - Remove wiring harnesses, vacuum hoses, or other external items that are attached to the transmission. It is good practice to mark the location on everything you remove so you remember how to reconnect them when you reinstall. Masking tape and a marker will make things easy.Step 5 - Now, remove the shifter linkage and kick down linkage from the transmission. These parts are usually steel rods or cables. Again, mark everything. If your vehicle is equipped with a speedometer cable, remove it too. Also, unbolt the transmission cooling lines that run from the transmission to the radiator. (note: The linkage is usually connected with nothing more than retaining clips). When removing them, keep an eye on them. They have a tendency to fly off and get lost. As far as the speedometer cable, some screw onto the transmission housing others are retained with a screw and a hold down.Step 6 - Next, remove the starter motor. There are two or three bolts that hold it in place. Remove the bolts and carefully move it to the side, or disconnect the wiring the remove the starter. Be carful not to damage any of the wiring.Step 7 - Now place a transmission jack under the transmission and slightly lift up on it to remove pressure from the transmission mount and cross member.Step 8 - The transmission is held in place by a cross member which holds the transmission mount and is also bolted on the other end to the engine by the transmission bell housing. With the transmission jack holding the weight of the transmission, remove the mount and cross member. Step 9 - Next, the transmission bell housing and torque converter bolts need removed. For this, you will need a ratchet and most likely extensions to reach the bolts on the bell housing. Some top bolts are easier to reach from the engine compartment with a wrench. Remove all but one bell housing bolt. Step 10 - You will need a box end wrench or sockets to remove the torque converter bolts. First, remove the inspection plate that is located at the bottom of the transmission’s bell housing. With a flashlight, look up inside the inspection plate to locate the bolts mounting the torque converter to the flexplate. Use a breaker bar and socket, rotate the engine at the harmonic balancer to access and remove the bolts (3 or 4 bolts). The torque converter should be free of the flexplate (flywheel).Step 11 - Next, remove the last bell housing bolt. Once the last bolt is removed use a leverage bar to "pop" the transmission loose from the engine block. Lower the transmission slowly while slowly rolling it toward the rear of the car and lower the transmission out from under the vehicle. Most manufacturers use locating pins to correctly position the transmission to the engine. The transmission will need to be slid back slightly before it detaches from the engine. Also, hold the torque converter in place so it doesn’t fall forward and out of the transmission.After reinstalling the replacement transmission pour about five quarts of fluid into the dipstick tub using a funnel. Then start the car and allow to idle. Finish filling the transmission with fluid until full. Recheck fluid level after several miles of driving.Best Practices1. Check under the car after the new transmission has been installed to inspect for fluid leaks.2. Listen for strange noises and report to manufacturer or builder.If further technical assistance is needed, our certified car repair technicians are ready to answer your car questions. Or consult your car's specific year, make and model online car repair manual.
Related Car Repair Information
Tools and Supplies to Complete this Job1. Hydraulic jack2. High quality jack stands3. Transmission jack4. Wrench set5. Socket set with various extensions
6. Screwdriver Set7. Line Wrench set8. Fluid catch pan9. Replacement Transmission10. Solvent Cleaner11. Leverage bar
12. Fluid funnelDirectionsStep 1 - Locate and activate the car hood release handle, then release the secondary safety latch and open the hood, secure with prop rod if needed. Step 2 - First, you will need to remove the vehicle’s driveshaft. On the rear of the drive shaft is a universal joint. It is held to the differential by u-bolts. Remove the u-bolts and pushing forward on the driveshaft, slip the u-joint away from the differential. Step 3 - Carefully, slide the front yoke from the transmission housing and remove the driveshaft. Step 4 - Remove wiring harnesses, vacuum hoses, or other external items that are attached to the transmission. It is good practice to mark the location on everything you remove so you remember how to reconnect them when you reinstall. Masking tape and a marker will make things easy.Step 5 - Now, remove the shifter linkage and kick down linkage from the transmission. These parts are usually steel rods or cables. Again, mark everything. If your vehicle is equipped with a speedometer cable, remove it too. Also, unbolt the transmission cooling lines that run from the transmission to the radiator. (note: The linkage is usually connected with nothing more than retaining clips). When removing them, keep an eye on them. They have a tendency to fly off and get lost. As far as the speedometer cable, some screw onto the transmission housing others are retained with a screw and a hold down.Step 6 - Next, remove the starter motor. There are two or three bolts that hold it in place. Remove the bolts and carefully move it to the side, or disconnect the wiring the remove the starter. Be carful not to damage any of the wiring.Step 7 - Now place a transmission jack under the transmission and slightly lift up on it to remove pressure from the transmission mount and cross member.Step 8 - The transmission is held in place by a cross member which holds the transmission mount and is also bolted on the other end to the engine by the transmission bell housing. With the transmission jack holding the weight of the transmission, remove the mount and cross member. Step 9 - Next, the transmission bell housing and torque converter bolts need removed. For this, you will need a ratchet and most likely extensions to reach the bolts on the bell housing. Some top bolts are easier to reach from the engine compartment with a wrench. Remove all but one bell housing bolt. Step 10 - You will need a box end wrench or sockets to remove the torque converter bolts. First, remove the inspection plate that is located at the bottom of the transmission’s bell housing. With a flashlight, look up inside the inspection plate to locate the bolts mounting the torque converter to the flexplate. Use a breaker bar and socket, rotate the engine at the harmonic balancer to access and remove the bolts (3 or 4 bolts). The torque converter should be free of the flexplate (flywheel).Step 11 - Next, remove the last bell housing bolt. Once the last bolt is removed use a leverage bar to "pop" the transmission loose from the engine block. Lower the transmission slowly while slowly rolling it toward the rear of the car and lower the transmission out from under the vehicle. Most manufacturers use locating pins to correctly position the transmission to the engine. The transmission will need to be slid back slightly before it detaches from the engine. Also, hold the torque converter in place so it doesn’t fall forward and out of the transmission.After reinstalling the replacement transmission pour about five quarts of fluid into the dipstick tub using a funnel. Then start the car and allow to idle. Finish filling the transmission with fluid until full. Recheck fluid level after several miles of driving.Best Practices1. Check under the car after the new transmission has been installed to inspect for fluid leaks.2. Listen for strange noises and report to manufacturer or builder.If further technical assistance is needed, our certified car repair technicians are ready to answer your car questions. Or consult your car's specific year, make and model online car repair manual.
Related Car Repair Information