Automatic Transmission: Installation: Transaxle: Installation

All vehicles 

NOTE: Lubricate the torque converter pilot hub with multi-purpose grease.
1. Check the installation depth of the torque converter.
   1. Lay a steel straightedge on the automatic transaxle flange.
   2. Check the installation depth between the transaxle flange and the torque converter centering spigot for the correct clearance.
Fig 1: Identifying Clearance Between Transaxle Flange And Torque Converter
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Install the selector lever cable bracket and the 2 bolts.
   • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
Fig 2: Identifying Bracket And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
3. Install the transaxle support insulator bracket and 3 nuts.
   • Tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).
Fig 3: Identifying Bracket And Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. If the transaxle was replaced, install the transaxle opening cover.
Fig 4: Locating Differential Opening Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. Remove the Torque Converter Retainer.
Fig 5: Identifying Torque Converter Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Make sure that the dowel pins are installed in the engine block prior to installing the transaxle or damage to the transaxle can occur.
6. Position the transaxle on the dowel pins.
7. Note the location of the different length bolts and install the 5 transaxle-to-engine bolts.
   • Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Fig 6: Locating Converter Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Install the 3 transaxle-to-engine bolts.
   • Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Fig 7: Locating Converter Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Remove the transmission jack and the safety strap from the transaxle.
10. Using the Engine Support Bar and Adapters, raise the engine and transaxle assembly slightly to install the rear transaxle support insulator.
Fig 8: Identifying Engine Support Bar And Adapters
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Install the transaxle support insulator nuts.
    1. Install the 4 transaxle support insulator-to-body nuts.
       • Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
    2. Install the transaxle support insulator-to-bracket nut.
       • Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
Fig 9: Identifying Insulator-To-Bracket Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
12. Remove the Engine Support Bar and Adapters.
Fig 10: Identifying Engine Support Bar And Adapters
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Install the transmission fluid cooler tubes on the transaxle and slide the latches to the locked position.
Fig 11: Identifying Latches
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Install the secondary latches.
Fig 12: Identifying Transmission Fluid Cooler Tube Secondary Latches
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
15. Install the upper transaxle-to-engine bolts.
    • Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Fig 13: Locating Upper Center Converter Housing Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. Position the electrical connector bracket and install the nut.
    • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
Fig 14: Locating Electrical Connector Bracket And Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. Install the electrical connector bracket nut.
    • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
Fig 15: Locating Electrical Connector Bracket And Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
18. Connect the Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor electrical connector.
Fig 16: Locating Output Shaft Speed (OSS) Sensor Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The roll restrictor bolts are different lengths. If the long bolt is used to hold the roll restrictor to the subframe, damage to the steering rack may occur.
19. Install the engine roll restrictor.
    1. Position the roll restrictor in place and loosely install the bolt.
    2. Install the bolt. Tighten both roll restrictor bolts.
       • Tighten to 70 Nm (52 lb-ft).
Fig 17: Identifying Restrictor Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Only rotate the engine in a clockwise direction or engine damage will occur.
NOTE: Only install new self-locking nuts.
20. Install 4 new torque converter-to-flexplate nuts.
    • Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
Fig 18: Locating Torque Converter-To-Flexplate Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
21. Install the starter isolator.
Fig 19: Identifying Starter Motor Isolator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
22. Install the starter, studbolt and bolt.
    • Tighten to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
Fig 20: Identifying Starter
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
23. Connect the bracket to the starter stud and the starter bracket nut.
    • Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
Fig 21: Locating Bracket And Starter Stud
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
24. Install the wiring harness retainer on the starter motor studbolt.
Fig 22: Identifying Stud Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
25. Connect the starter motor electrical connectors.
    1. Install the starter terminal nut.
       • Tighten to 12 Nm (106 lb-in).
    2. Install the starter solenoid terminal nut.
       • Tighten to 5 Nm (44 lb-in).
Fig 23: Identifying Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
26. Install the LH and RH halfshafts in the transaxle. For additional information, refer to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS article.
27. Install the front wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
NOTE: Inspect the transmission fluid filler tube O-ring for damage before installing the transmission fluid filler tube.
28. Install the transmission fluid filler tube and bolt.
    • Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
Fig 24: Identifying Transmission Fluid Filler Tube
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
29. Install the power steering hose retainers and the wiring harness retainer on the transmission fluid filler tube.
Fig 25: Identifying Power Steering Hose Retainers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
30. Install the transmission fluid level indicator.
Fig 26: Identifying Transaxle Fluid Level Indicator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
31. Connect the bottom PCM electrical connector.
Fig 27: Identifying PCM Connectorer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
32. Connect the throttle control electrical connector.
Fig 28: Identifying Throttle Control Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
33. Install the selector lever cable in the selector lever cable clip.
Fig 29: Locating Shift Cable Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
34. Install the selector lever cable in the selector lever cable bracket.
Fig 30: Identifying Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
35. Connect the selector lever cable end onto the manual control lever.
Fig 31: Locating Shift Cable
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
36. Install the transmission fluid filler tube bolt.
    • Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
Fig 32: Identifying Transmission Fluid Filler Tube Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
37. Connect the Turbine Shaft Speed (TSS) sensor electrical connector.
Fig 33: Locating Turbine Shaft Speed (TSS) Sensor Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The Transmission Range (TR) connector seal is a high compression type and requires a "press to click" installation for a weatherproof seal.
38. Connect the electrical connectors.
    1. TR sensor.
    2. Transaxle solenoid electrical connector.
Fig 34: Locating Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
39. Position the Air Cleaner (ACL) in place and tighten the ACL outlet pipe clamp.
    • Tighten to 4 Nm (35 lb-in).
Fig 35: Identifying Air Cleaner Outlet Tube Clamp
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) shown in illustration, non-PZEV similar.
40. Connect the crankcase ventilation hose and connect the brake booster vacuum hose.
Fig 36: Identifying Crankcase Ventilation Hose And Booster Vacuum Hose
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) 

41. Tighten the ACL inlet hose clamp.
    • Tighten to 4 Nm (35 lb-in).
Fig 37: Identifying Air Cleaner Inlet Hose Clamp
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Non-PZEV 

42. Install the 2 ACL bolts.
    • Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
Fig 38: Identifying ACL Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles 

NOTE: PZEV shown in illustration, non- PZEV similar.
43. Connect the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor electrical connector.
Fig 39: Identifying MAF Sensor Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
44. Position the battery tray in place and install the 4 wiring harness retainers on the battery tray.
Fig 40: Identifying Wiring Harness Retainers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
45. Position the battery tray on the studs and install the 3 battery tray nuts.
    • Tighten to 12 Nm (106 lb-in).
Fig 41: Identifying Battery Tray Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the strategy.
46. Install the battery. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES article.
47. Fill the transaxle with clean transmission fluid.