Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine hanger adapter VSB02C000015
• Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566
• Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016 (Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program 1-888-424-6857)

1. Before disconnecting the battery, make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio, then write down the audio preset.
2. Raise the vehicle, and make sure it is securely supported.
3. Remove the splash shield.
4. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the automatic transmission fluid (ATF). Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B).
   Fig 1: Identifying Loosening Torque Of Drain Plug

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5. Disconnect the battery negative terminal, then disconnect the battery positive terminal.
6. Remove the air cleaner housing and the air intake duct.
7. Remove the battery hold-down bracket, then remove the battery and battery tray.
8. Remove the harness clamp from the battery base, then remove the battery base.
9. Remove the transmission ground terminal (A).
   Fig 2: Removing Transmission Ground Terminal

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10. Disconnect the 2nd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (B) and A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector (C), and remove the harness clamps (D) from the clamp brackets (E).
11. Disconnect the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (A) and input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor (B).
    Fig 3: Disconnecting Second Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector And A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve Connector

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12. Remove the transmission range switch connector (C) from its bracket (D), then disconnect it.
13. Disconnect the 3rd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector.
    Fig 4: Disconnecting Third Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector

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14. Disconnect the shift solenoid harness connector (A), A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve B connector, and solenoid valve C connector, then remove the harness clamps (D) from the clamp brackets (E).
    Fig 5: Disconnecting Shift Solenoid Harness Connector, A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve Connectors

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15. Remove the ATF cooler hoses (A) from the ATF cooler lines (B). Turn the ends of the ATF cooler hoses up to prevent ATF from flowing out, then plug the ATF cooler hoses and lines.
    Fig 6: Removing ATF Cooler Hoses From ATF Cooler Lines

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16. Check for any signs of leakage at the hose joints.
17. Remove the harness clamp (A) from the clamp bracket (B), and remove the engine wire harness cover (C) from its bracket (D).
    Fig 7: Removing Engine Wire Harness Cover From Bracket

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18. Remove the bolts (A) securing the water line and harness brackets (B).
    Fig 8: Removing Bolts Securing Water Line And Harness Brackets

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19. Attach the special tool adapter (VSB02C000015) to the threaded hole (A) in the cylinder head.
    Fig 9: Attaching Special Tool Adapter To Threaded Hole In Cylinder Head

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20. Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T-12566) to the vehicle, and attach the hook (A) to the special tool adapter (VSB02C000015). Tighten the wing nut (B) by hand, and lift and support the engine.
    Fig 10: Installing Engine Support Hanger To Vehicle, And Hook To Special Tool Adapter

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21. Insert a 5 mm hex wrench (A) in the top of the ball joint pin (B), and remove the nut (C), then separate the stabilizer link (D) from the lower arm.
    Fig 11: Separating Stabilizer Link From Lower Arm

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22. Remove the lock pin (E) and castle nuts (F). Install the ball joint thread protector (07AAF-SDAA100) on the ball joint threads, and separate the lower arms (G) from the knuckles (H) (see step 10 on KNUCKLE AND HUB REPLACEMENT ).
23. Remove the torque converter cover (A), and remove the eight drive plate bolts (B) while rotating the crankshaft pulley.
    Fig 12: Removing Torque Converter Cover

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24. 4WD model: Remove the shift cable.
    • 1 Remove the bolts (A) securing the shift cable bracket (B), then remove the shift cable cover (C).
    • 2 Remove the spring clip (D) and control pin (E), then separate the shift cable (F) from the selector control lever (G). Do not bend the shift cable excessively.
    • 3 Remove the bolts (H) securing the shift cable bracket (I), then remove the shift cable bracket (I) from the shift cable.
    Fig 13: Removing Shift Cable (4WD Model)

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25. 2WD model: Remove the shift cable.
    • 1 Remove the shift cable cover (A).
    • 2 Remove the spring clip (B) and control pin (C), then separate the shift cable (D) from the selector control lever (E).
    • 3 Remove the bolts securing the shift cable bracket (F). Do not bend the shift cable excessively.
    Fig 14: Removing Shift Cable (2WD Model)

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26. Disconnect the ATF cooler hose (A) from the ATF cooler line (B), then plug the end of the hose.
    Fig 15: Disconnecting ATF Cooler Hose From ATF Cooler Line

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27. Remove the front mount bolt (C) and nut (D).
28. Remove the rear mount bolts.
    Fig 16: Removing Rear Mount Bolts

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29. Make the appropriate reference lines at positions A and B that line up with the center of the subframe mounting bolts (C).
    Fig 17: Aligning Reference Lines With Center Of Subframe Mounting Bolts

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30. Attach the special tool to the subframe with hanging the hook of the special tool over the front of the subframe, then tighten the special tool screw.
    Fig 18: Attaching Special Tool To Subframe

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31. Raise the jack and line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then attach them with the bolts securely.
32. Remove the four subframe mounting bolts, then lower the subframe.
    Fig 19: Removing Subframe Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. 4WD model: Make a reference mark (A) across the propeller shaft (B) and the transfer companion flange (C), then separate the propeller shaft from the transfer assembly.
    Fig 20: Separating Propeller Shaft From Transfer Assembly (4WD Model)

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34. Pry the left driveshaft out of the differential (see step 9 on FRONT DRIVESHAFT REMOVAL ).
35. Remove the driveshafts from the differential and intermediate shaft.
    Fig 21: Removing Driveshafts From Differential And Intermediate Shaft

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36. Remove the intermediate shaft cover (A).
    Fig 22: Removing Intermediate Shaft Cover

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37. Remove the intermediate shaft (B). Coat all precision finished surfaces with clean engine oil, then tie plastic bags over the driveshaft and intermediate shaft ends.
38. Place a jack under the transmission.
39. Remove the transmission housing upper mounting bolts.
    Fig 23: Removing Transmission Housing Upper Mounting Bolts

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40. Remove the transmission mount bracket bolt (A) and nuts (B), then remove the transmission mount bolt (C).
    Fig 24: Removing Transmission Mount Bracket Bolt And Nuts

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41. Remove the transmission housing front mounting bolts located on front lower of the transmission.
    Fig 25: Removing Transmission Housing Front Mounting Bolts

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42. Remove the transmission housing rear mounting bolts located on the rear lower of the transmission.
    Fig 26: Removing Transmission Housing Rear Mounting Bolts

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43. Slide the transmission away from the engine to remove it from the vehicle.
44. Remove the torque converter assembly.
    Fig 27: Removing Torque Converter Assembly

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45. Remove the front mount.
    Fig 28: Removing Front Mount

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46. Remove the rear mount/bracket.
    NOTE: The illustration shows 4WD model; 2WD model is similar.
    Fig 29: Removing Rear Mount/Bracket (4WD Model)

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47. Remove the air cleaner housing mounting bracket.
    Fig 30: Removing Air Cleaner Housing Mounting Bracket

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48. Inspect the drive plate, and replace it if it's damaged.