Automatic Transmission: Removal: Transaxle: Removal

Remove the battery tray. For additional information, refer to BATTERY MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Remove the air cleaner resonator.
1. Disconnect the crankcase ventilation hose.
2. Disconnect the air cleaner outlet hose.
3. Remove the bolts and pull out the air cleaner resonator.
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Air Cleaner Resonator
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Loosen the LH strut and spring assembly top mount nuts by 5 turns.

Fig 2: Locating LH Strut And Spring Assembly Top Mount Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the electrical connectors.
1. Transmission range (TR) sensor electrical connector.
2. Transaxle solenoid electrical connector.
  
  Fig 3: Locating Electrical Connector
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the turbine shaft speed (TSS) sensor electrical connector.

Fig 4: Locating Turbine Shaft Speed (TSS) Sensor Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the nut from the electrical connector bracket.

Fig 5: Locating Electrical Connector Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the nut and position the electrical connector bracket aside.

Fig 6: Locating Bracket And Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the upper center converter housing bolts.

Fig 7: Locating Upper Center Converter Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the special tool, secure the engine.

Fig 8: Securing Engine Using Special Tools (303-290-01, 303-290-03A, 303-290A)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the fluid filler tube and shift cable bracket bolts.

Fig 9: Locating Shift Cable Bracket Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the nut and bracket from the starter stud.

Fig 10: Locating Starter Stud
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the starter nuts, then disconnect the wiring from the starter.

Fig 11: Locating Starter Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Unplug the oil sending unit to remove the starter from its location.
Remove the 3 starter bolts and starter.

Fig 12: Locating Starter Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the starter isolator.

Fig 13: Identifying Starter Motor Isolator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the engine RH support insulator.
1. Remove the insulator bolt and nut.
2. Remove the insulator bolt.
  
  Fig 14: Locating Insulator Bolt And Nut
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the LH stabilizer bar at the strut.

Fig 15: Locating LH Stabilizer Bar
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the LH tie-rod end nut.

Fig 16: Locating LH Tie-Rod End Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the RH tie-rod end nut.

Fig 17: Locating RH Tie-Rod End Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the special tool, disconnect both of the tie-rods from the knuckles.

Fig 18: Identifying Special Tool (211-001) Into Tie-Rod
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect both of the lower control arms from the knuckles.

Fig 19: Locating Lower Control Arms
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the mounting bracket nuts, then remove the bracket from the RH halfshaft intermediate bearing.

Fig 20: Locating RH Halfshaft Intermediate Bearing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the RH halfshaft. Position it aside and support the halfshaft with mechanic's wire.

Fig 21: Removing RH Halfshaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Support the halfshaft. The inner joint must not be bent more than 18 degrees. The outer joint must not be bent more than 45 degrees.
Using the special tools, remove the LH halfshaft from the transaxle.
- Allow the oil to drain into a suitable container.
  
  Fig 22: Detaching Halfshaft From Transaxle Using Special Tools (100-001, 205-241)
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor electrical connector.

Fig 23: Locating Output Shaft Speed (OSS) Sensor Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Unbolt the shift cable clip.

Fig 24: Locating Shift Cable Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the transmission fluid cooler lines from the transaxle.
1. Slide the connector fitting into the cooler line.
2. Press the yellow release button.
3. Pull the connector fitting from the cooler line.
  
  Fig 25: Locating Transmission Fluid Cooler Lines
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the shift cable from the manual control lever.

Fig 26: Locating Shift Cable
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Only rotate the engine in a clockwise direction or engine damage will occur.

NOTE: Mark one stud and the flexplate for assembly reference.
Rotate the crankshaft to gain access to the converter nuts, then remove the 4 nuts.

Fig 27: Locating Converter Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the engine rear mount nuts and remove the rear mount.

Fig 28: Locating Engine Rear Mount Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the engine support bar, lower the engine and transaxle assembly slightly.
Remove the engine rear mount bracket nuts and remove the bracket.

Fig 29: Locating Engine Rear Mount Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the fluid filler tube.
- Remove the bolt at the base and pull out the tube and position it aside.
  
  Fig 30: Locating Fluid Filler Tube Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Secure the transaxle with a high-lift jack using a safety strap.
NOTE: Note the location of the different length bolts for installation.
Remove the 3 converter housing bolts.

Fig 31: Locating Converter Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 5 converter housing bolts.

Fig 32: Locating Converter Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Separate the transaxle from the engine and lower the transaxle.
If replacement of the transaxle is required, remove the differential opening cover.

Fig 33: Locating Differential Opening Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the special tool, to prevent damage to the torque converter.

Fig 34: Identifying Special Tool (307-346)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.