DRIVE TRAIN

Transaxle Assembly

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Manual

3000GT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove the battery and battery tray.
3. Raise the vehicle and support safely.
4. If equipped with AWD, disconnect the exhaust pipe. Remove the mounting bolts and lower the transfer case from the vehicle.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Left side splash shield and engine undercover
   • Air cleaner assembly and all adjoining duct work
   • Shifter control cables and speedometer connector
   • Clutch release cylinder
   • Reverse light switch
6. Support the weight of the transaxle and remove the transaxle mount through-bolt. Remove the access plug, remove the bolts for the bracket and remove the brackets.
7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Transaxle ground cable
   • Tie rod end and ball joint from the steering knuckle
   • Right frame member
   • Starter motor
   • Halfshafts by inserting a prybar between the transaxle case and the driveshaft and prying the shaft from the transaxle. Do not pull on the driveshaft. Doing so damages the inboard joint. Tie the shafts aside.
   • Transaxle brackets
   • Transaxle assembly.

   To install:

8. Install or connect the following:
   • Transaxle to the engine and install the mounting bolts
   • Halfshafts. Use new circlips on the axle ends.
   • Starter motor and cover
   • Right side frame member
   • Ball joint and tie rod to the steering knuckle
   • Transaxle ground cable
   • Side mount brackets and install the access plug
   • Reverse light switch
   • Clutch release cylinder
   • Shifter control cables and speedometer connector
   • Transfer case and related items on AWD vehicles
   • Air cleaner assembly and all adjoining ductwork
   • Left side splash shield
   • Battery tray and battery
   • Negative battery cable and check the transaxle and transfer case for proper operation

ECLIPSE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Battery and the air intake hoses
   • Battery tray and support
   • Auto-cruise actuator and bracket, if equipped with cruise control
   • Charcoal canister and bracket
   • Shift and select cables from the transaxle
   • Back-up light switch and the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) connectors
   • Starter assembly
   • Engine support fixture to the engine and remove the transaxle mounting bolts

     Fig. 1: Proper method of supporting the engine assembly for transaxle removal

3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Rear roll stopper bracket mounting bolts
   • Transaxle mounting bracket mounting nuts
4. Raise the vehicle and remove the engine undercovers.
5. If equipped with all wheel drive, remove the transfer case assembly.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Axle shafts
   • Slave cylinder from the bell housing without disconnecting the fluid line. Position it out of the way.
   • Bell housing cover and the right-hand center member stay (support)
   • Center member
7. Place a transmission jack under the transaxle and remove the transaxle mounting bolt.
8. Remove the transaxle mounting and lower the transaxle.

   To install:

9. Raise the transaxle into position and install the transaxle mounting. Torque the through-bolt to 50 ft. lbs. (69 Nm).
10. Install or connect the following:
    • Transaxle assembly mounting bolt. Torque the bolt to 22–25 ft. lbs. (30–34 Nm).
    • Center member assembly and the right-hand stay
    • Bell housing cover and the slave cylinder
    • Axle shafts. Be sure to install the washer in the proper direction.
    • Engine undercovers and lower the vehicle
    • Transfer case assembly if removed
    • Transaxle mounting bracket mounting nuts
    • Rear roll stopper bracket mounting bolts
    • Transaxle assembly mounting bolts. Torque the mounting bolts to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm).
11. Remove the engine support fixture.
12. Install or connect the following:
    • Starter assembly
    • VSS and the back-up light connectors
    • Cruise control actuator if removed
    • Battery tray support and the tray
    • Charcoal canister bracket and the canister
    • Air duct and the air cleaner assembly

      Fig. 2: Exploded view of the manual transaxle mounting (1 of 2) — FWD Eclipse with 2.4L engine

      Fig. 3: Exploded view of the manual transaxle mounting (2 of 2) — FWD Eclipse with 2.4L engine

GALANT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Air cleaner and intake hoses
   • Cotter pins and clips securing the select and shift cables and remove the cable ends from the transaxle
   • Air compressor, if equipped with Active Electronic Control Suspension (Active-ECS)
   • Back-up light switch harness and position aside
   • Speedometer electrical connector from the transaxle assembly
   • Starter motor and position aside
3. Support the engine assembly.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Rear roll stopper mounting bracket
   • Transaxle mount bracket
   • Upper transaxle mounting bolts
5. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Front wheel assemblies
   • Right-hand undercover
   • Cotter pin and disconnect the tie rod end, from the steering knuckle
   • Stabilizer bar link from the damper fork
   • Damper fork from the lateral lower control arm
   • Lateral lower arm and the compression arm lower ball joints from the steering knuckle
   • Halfshafts from the transaxle, and secure aside.
   • Clutch release cylinder without disconnecting the hydraulic line and secure aside
   • Cover from the transaxle bell housing
   • Engine front roll stopper through-bolt
   • Crossmember and the triangular right-hand stay
7. Support the transaxle with a transmission jack and remove the transaxle lower coupling bolt.

   NOTE: The coupling bolt threads from the engine side into the transaxle and is located just above the halfshaft opening.

8. Slide the transaxle rearward and carefully lower it from the vehicle.

   To install:

9. Install or connect the following:
   • Transaxle to the engine and install the mounting bolts. Tighten to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm). Install the transaxle lower coupling bolt and tighten to 22–25 ft. lbs. (30–34 Nm).
   • Cover to the transaxle bell housing and tighten the mounting bolts to 84 inch lbs. (9 Nm)
   • Crossmember and tighten the front mounting bolts to 65 ft. lbs. (88 Nm) and the rear bolt to 54 ft. lbs. (73 Nm). Install the front engine roll stopper through-bolt and lightly tighten. Once the full weight of the engine is on the mounts, tighten the bolt to 42 ft. lbs. (57 Nm).
   • Triangular stay bracket and tighten the mounting bolts to 65 ft. lbs. (88 Nm)
   • Clutch release cylinder
   • Halfshafts, using new circlips on the axle ends
   • Tie rod and ball joints to the steering knuckle. Tighten the ball joint self-locking nuts to 48 ft. lbs. (65 Nm). Tighten the tie rod end nut to 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm) and secure with a new cotter pin.
   • Damper fork to the lower control arm and tighten the through-bolt to 65 ft. lbs. (88 Nm)
   • Stabilizer link to the damper fork and tighten the self-locking nut to 29 ft. lbs. (39 Nm)
   • Underpan
   • Wheels and lower vehicle
   • Transaxle mount bracket to the transaxle and tighten the mounting nuts to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm)
   • Rear roll stopper mounting bracket
10. Remove the engine support. Tighten the transaxle mount through-bolt to 51 ft. lbs. (69 Nm) and tighten the front engine roll stopper through-bolt.
11. Install or connect the following:
    • Upper transaxle mounting bolts and tighten to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm)
    • Starter motor
    • Back-up light switch and the speedometer connector
    • Connect the air compressor, if equipped with Active Electronic Control Suspension (Active-ECS)
    • Select and shift cables and install new cotter pins
    • Air cleaner and the air intake hose
    • Negative battery cable
12. Check the transaxle for proper operation.

MIRAGE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Front wheels and the inner wheel panels
   • Air cleaner assembly and vacuum hoses
3. Note the locations and disconnect the shifter cables.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Back-up lamp switch connector
   • Speedometer cable and remove the starter motor
   • Upper transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts
5. Raise the vehicle and support safely.
6. Remove the undercover and splash pan.
7. Drain the transaxle oil.
8. Support the engine and remove the crossmember.
9. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Upper transaxle mounting bolt and bracket
   • Stabilizer bar, tie rod ends and the lower ball joint connections
   • Clutch release cylinder and clutch oil line bracket. Disconnect the clutch cable, if equipped with cable controlled clutch system.
   • Halfshafts by inserting a prybar between the transaxle case and the driveshaft and prying the shaft from the transaxle. Do not pull on the driveshaft.
   • Bell housing lower cover
   • Transaxle to engine bolts and lower the transaxle from the vehicle

   To install:

10. Install or connect the following:
    • Transaxle to the engine and install the mounting bolts
    • Bell housing cover

    NOTE: When installing the halfshafts, use new circlips on the axle ends.

11. Install or connect the following:
    • Halfshafts into the transaxle
    • Slave cylinder or connect the clutch cable
    • Ball joints, tie rod ends and stabilizer bar connections
    • Upper transaxle mounting bracket and bolt
    • Crossmember
    • Undercover
    • Upper transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts
    • Starter motor
    • Back-up light switch connector and speedometer cable
    • Shifter cables, adjust
    • Air cleaner assembly
    • Front wheels
    • Negative battery cable and check the transaxle for proper operation

Automatic

3000GT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Disarm the air bag, if equipped. Remove the battery, battery tray and washer tank.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Air cleaner assembly and adjoining duct work
   • Shifter control cable
   • Oil cooler hoses, plug
4. Disconnect the following
   • Inhibitor switch
   • Kickdown servo switch
   • Pulse generator
   • Oil temperature sensor
   • Shift control solenoid valve
   • Ground cable.
   • Speedometer cable.
5. Raise and safely support the vehicle. Remove the undercovers.
6. Support the weight of the transaxle and remove the mount bracket. Remove the upper bell housing bolts.
7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Tie rod end and ball joint from the steering knuckle
   • Right frame member
   • Starter
   • Halfshafts by inserting a prybar between the transaxle case and the driveshaft and prying the shaft from the transaxle
   • Remaining mounting brackets
   • Bell housing cover plate
   • Bolts holding the flexplate to the torque converter
   • Lower transaxle to engine bolts and remove the transaxle assembly

   To install:

8. After the torque converter has been mounted on the transaxle, install the transaxle assembly on the engine. Tighten the driveplate bolts to 34–38 ft. lbs. (46–53 Nm). Install the bell housing cover.
9. Install the mounting brackets.
10. Replace the circlips and install the halfshafts to the transaxle.
11. Install or connect the following:
    • Starter and frame member
    • Tie rods and ball joint to the steering arm
    • Upper bell housing bolts
    • Transaxle mounting bracket
    • Undercovers
12. Connect the following
    • Inhibitor switch
    • Kickdown servo switch
    • Pulse generator
    • Oil temperature sensor
    • Shift control solenoid valve
    • Ground cable.
    • Speedometer cable.
13. Install or connect the following:
    • Oil cooler hoses
    • Shifter control cable
    • Air cleaner assembly and adjoining ductwork
    • Washer tank, battery tray and battery
14. Start the engine and check for leaks.

DIAMANTE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Properly disarm the SRS system.
3. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Front wheels
   • Engine side cover and undercovers
5. Drain the transaxle assembly.
6. If equipped, remove the front catalytic converter.
7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Exhaust pipe, main muffler and catalytic converter
   • Tie rod end and ball joint from the steering knuckle
   • Support bearing for the left side halfshaft
   • Halfshafts by inserting a prybar between the transaxle case and the driveshaft and prying the shaft from the transaxle
   • Air cleaner assembly and adjoining ductwork
   • Engine harness connection
   • Compressor assembly, if the vehicle is equipped with Active Electronic Controlled Suspension (Active-ECS) — suspend with wire — Do not allow the compressor to hang from the air hose.
   • Roll stopper stay bracket, if equipped
   • Speedometer cable from the transaxle
   • The clip that secures the shifter
   • Shifter control cable from the transaxle
   • Plug the oil cooler hoses from the transaxle
8. Disconnect the following:
   • Park/neutral switch electrical harness
   • Kickdown servo switch
   • Pulse generator
   • Oil temperature sensor electrical harness
   • Shift control solenoid valve harness.
9. Support the transaxle and remove the transaxle mounting bracket.
10. Remove the 3 upper transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts.

    Fig. 4: Location of 4-wheel steering oil pump mounting bolts — Diamante with a F4A33 automatic transaxle

11. For vehicles with 4WS, remove the heat shield for the 4WS oil pump and remove the pump. Do not allow the pump to hang from the oil hoses.
12. For vehicles equipped with Active-ECS, disconnect the height sensor rod from the lower control arm.
13. Remove or disconnect the following:
    • Bolt that secures the HO2S sensor harness to the right side crossmember
    • Starter assembly
    • Mounting brackets for access to the bell housing cover
    • Bell housing/oil pan covers assembly
    • Bolts holding the flexplate to the torque converter
    • Lower transaxle to engine bolts and remove the transaxle assembly

    To install:

14. Install or connect the following:
    • Transaxle assembly to the engine block and install the mounting bolts
    • Bolts that secure the torque converter to the driveplate. Tighten the bolts to 34–38 ft. lbs. (46–53 Nm).
    • Bell housing/oil pan covers
    • Transaxle stay brackets that were removed for access to the bell housing cover
    • Starter assembly and connect the wiring
    • Bolt that secures the HO2S sensor harness to the right side crossmember and tighten the bolt to 84–108 inch lbs. (10–12 Nm)
15. For vehicles equipped with Active-ECS, connect the height sensor rod from the lower control arm. Check the height sensor rod for a length (A) of 10.59–10.63 in. (269–270mm).

    Fig. 5: Height sensor rod adjustment — Diamante with a F4A33 automatic transaxle

16. If removed, install the 4WS oil pump and tighten the mounting bolts to 17 ft. lbs. 24 Nm).
17. If removed, install the 4WS oil pump heat shield and tighten the mounting bolts to 17 ft. lbs. 24 Nm).
18. Install the 3 upper transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts. Tighten the mounting bolts to 54 ft. lbs. (75 Nm).

    NOTE: One of the upper bolts has a grounding strap to secure under the bolt.

19. Install or connect the following:
    • Transaxle mounting bracket. Tighten the mounting nut and bolts to 51 ft. lbs. (70 Nm).
    • Shift control solenoid valve harness
    • Kickdown servo switch, pulse generator and oil temperature sensor electrical harness
    • Park/neutral switch electrical harness
    • Oil cooler hoses to the transaxle, using new hose clamps
    • Shifter control cable to the transaxle and secure the cable with clip
    • Speedometer cable to the transaxle
    • Roll stopper stay bracket and tighten the one through nut and bolt to 36–43 ft. lbs. (50–60 Nm), if removed. Tighten the 2 mounting bolts to 16 ft. lbs. (22 Nm).
    • Active-ECS compressor assembly, if removed. Tighten the mounting bolts to 48 inch lbs. (5 Nm) and connect the electrical harness.
    • Engine harness connection
    • Air cleaner assembly and adjoining ductwork
    • Halfshafts and seat halfshafts into the transaxle, using new circlips
    • Bolt that secure the left side support bearing and tighten the bolts to 33 ft. lbs. (45 Nm)
    • Ball joint and tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Using new nuts, tighten the ball joint castle nut to 43–52 ft. lbs. (60–72 Nm) and tighten the tie rod castle nut to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
    • Exhaust system, using new gaskets
    • Front catalytic converter, if removed
    • Engine undercovers
    • Negative battery cable
20. Fill the transaxle to the correct level.
21. Start the engine and check for leaks.

    Fig. 6: Transaxle removal — Diamante with F4A51 transaxle 1 of 2

    Fig. 7: Transaxle removal — Diamante with F4A51 transaxle 2 of 2

ECLIPSE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Battery and the air intake hoses
   • Battery tray and support
   • Auto-cruise actuator and bracket, if equipped with cruise control
   • Charcoal canister and bracket
   • Shift and select cables from the transaxle
   • Back-up light switch and the vehicle speed sensor connectors
   • Dipstick and tube assembly
   • Starter assembly
   • Park/neutral switch, oil temperature sensor, kick down servo switch, solenoid valve, pulse generator and speedometer connections
3. Attach an engine support fixture to the engine and remove the transaxle mounting bolts.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Rear roll stopper bracket mounting bolts
   • Transaxle mounting bracket mounting nuts
5. Raise the vehicle and remove the engine undercovers.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Front exhaust pipe
   • Transfer case assembly, if equipped with all wheel drive
   • Axle shafts
   • Slave cylinder from the bell housing without disconnecting the fluid line. Position it out of the way.
   • Bell housing cover and the right-hand center member stay (support)
   • Center member
   • Drive plate connecting bolts
7. Place a transmission jack under the transaxle and remove the transaxle mounting bolt.
8. Lower the transaxle.

   To install:

9. Raise the transaxle into position and install the transaxle mounting bracket. Torque the through-bolt to 51 ft. lbs. (69 Nm).
10. Install or connect the following:
    • Transaxle assembly mounting bolt. Torque the bolt to 22–25 ft. lbs. (29–34 Nm).
    • Drive plate connecting bolts. Torque the bolts to 33–38 ft. lbs. (45–52 Nm).
    • Center member assembly and the right-hand stay
    • Bell housing cover and the slave cylinder
    • Axle shafts.
    • Front exhaust pipe
    • Transfer case assembly if removed
    • Engine undercovers and lower the vehicle
    • Transaxle mounting bracket mounting nuts
    • Rear roll stopper bracket mounting bolts
    • Transaxle assembly mounting bolts. Torque the bolts to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm).
11. Remove the engine support fixture.
12. Install or connect the following:
    • Park/neutral switch, oil temperature sensor, kick down servo switch, solenoid valve, pulse generator and speedometer connections
    • Starter assembly
    • Dipstick and tube assembly
    • Vehicle speed sensor and the back-up light connectors
    • Cruise control actuator if removed
    • Battery tray support and the tray
    • Charcoal canister bracket and the canister
    • Air duct and the air cleaner assembly
13. Refill the transaxle and the transfer case, if equipped, with the proper fluid.

GALANT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Air cleaner and intake hoses
3. Drain the transaxle into a suitable waste container.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Nut securing the shifter lever to the transaxle
   • Cable retaining clip and remove the cable from the transaxle
   • Shifter cable mounting bracket
   • Electrical connectors for the speedometer, neutral safety switch (inhibitor switch), the pulse generator, kickdown servo switch, and the oil temperature sensor
   • Oil cooler lines, at the transaxle
   • Dipstick and tube from the transaxle
   • Starter motor and position it aside
5. Support the engine assembly.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Rear roll stopper mounting bracket
   • Transaxle mount bracket
   • Upper transaxle mounting bolts
7. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
8. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Front wheel assemblies
   • Right-hand undercover
   • Tie rod end from the steering knuckle
   • Stabilizer bar link from the damper fork
   • Damper fork from the lateral lower control arm
   • Later lower arm and the compression arm lower ball joints, from the steering knuckle
   • Halfshafts from the transaxle and secure aside
   • Cover from the transaxle bell housing
   • Engine front roll stopper through-bolt
   • Crossmember and the triangular right-hand stay
   • Bolts holding the flexplate to the torque converter
9. Support the transaxle using a transmission jack, and remove the transaxle lower coupling bolt.

   NOTE: The coupling bolt threads from the engine side into the transaxle and is located just above the halfshaft opening.

10. Slide the transaxle rearward and carefully lower it from the vehicle.

    To install:

11. After the torque converter has been mounted on the transaxle, install the transaxle assembly to the engine. Install the mounting bolts and tighten to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm). Install the transaxle lower coupling bolt and tighten to 21–25 ft. lbs. (29–34 Nm).
12. Install or connect the following:
    • Torque converter to the flexplate and tighten the bolts to 33–38 ft. lbs. (45–52 Nm)
    • Cover to the transaxle bell housing and tighten the mounting bolts to 84 inch lbs. (9 Nm)
    • Crossmember and tighten the front mounting bolts to 65 ft. lbs. (88 Nm) and the rear bolt to 54 ft. lbs. (73 Nm)
    • Front engine roll stopper through-bolt and lightly tighten. Once the full weight of the engine is on the mounts, tighten the bolt to 42 ft. lbs. (57 Nm).
    • Triangular stay bracket and tighten the mounting bolts to 65 ft. lbs. (88 Nm)
    • Halfshafts, using new circlips on the axle ends
    • Tie rod and ball joints to the steering knuckle. Tighten the ball joint self-locking nuts to 48 ft. lbs. (65 Nm). Tighten the tie rod end nut to 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm) and secure with a new cotter pin.
    • Damper fork to the lower control arm and tighten the through-bolt to 65 ft. lbs. (88 Nm)
    • Stabilizer link to the damper fork, and tighten the self-locking nut to 29 ft. lbs. (39 Nm)
    • Underpan
    • Wheels and lower the vehicle
    • Transaxle mount bracket to the transaxle, and tighten the mounting nuts to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm)
    • Rear roll stopper mounting bracket
    • Engine support. Tighten the transaxle mount through-bolt to 51 ft. lbs. (69 Nm) and tighten the front engine roll stopper through-bolt.
    • Upper transaxle mounting bolts and tighten to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm)
    • Starter motor
    • Dipstick tube and the dipstick
    • Shifter cable mounting bracket
    • Shifter lever and tighten the retaining nut to 14 ft. lbs. (19 Nm)
    • Oil cooler lines and secure with clamps
    • Electrical connectors for the speedometer, neutral safety switch (inhibitor switch), pulse generator, kickdown servo switch and oil temperature sensor
    • Air cleaner and the air intake hose
    • Negative battery cable
13. Fill the transaxle to the correct level.

MIRAGE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Battery and battery tray
   • Air hose and air cleaner assembly
3. Raise the vehicle and support safely.
4. Remove the under guard pan.
5. Drain the transaxle oil.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Control cable and cooler lines
   • Shift control solenoid valve connector
   • Inhibitor switch, kickdown servo switch, the pulse generator and oil temperature sensor, if equipped
   • Speedometer cable and remove the starter
   • Transaxle mounting bolts and bracket
   • Stabilizer bar from the lower control arm
   • Steering tie rod end and the ball joint from the steering arm
   • Halfshafts at the inboard side from the transaxle. Tie the joint assembly aside.
7. Support the engine and remove the center member.
8. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Bell housing cover and remove the driveplate bolts
   • Transaxle assembly lower connecting bolt, located just over the halfshaft opening
   • Transaxle

   To install:

9. Install the transaxle assembly on the engine.
10. Tighten the driveplate bolts to 33–38 ft. lbs. (46–53 Nm). Install the bell housing cover.
11. Install or connect the following:
    • Center member
    • Halfshafts to the transaxle, using new circlips
    • Tie rods, ball joints and stabilizer links to the steering arm
    • Transaxle mounting bracket and bolts
    • Starter
    • Speedometer cable
    • Inhibitor switch, kickdown servo switch, the pulse generator and oil temperature sensor, if disconnected
    • Shift control solenoid valve connector
    • Control cables and oil cooler lines
    • Air cleaner assembly
    • Battery tray and battery. Connect the positive, then the negative terminal.
12. Fill the transaxle to the correct level.
13. Start the engine and check for leaks.