Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine hanger, A and Reds AART-12566 or equivalent, commercially available
• Front subframe adapter EQS02BMDXSB0
• Engine hanger adapter VSB02C000014
• Engine balance bar VSB02C000019

1. Drain the power steering system fluid from the reservoir (see FLUID REPLACEMENT ).
2. Pull the carpet to expose the steering joint cover.
3. Remove the steering joint cover (A).
   Fig 1: Removing The Steering Joint Cover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
4. Make a reference mark (B) across the steering joint (C) and steering gearbox pinion shaft (D). Remove the steering joint bolt (E), and disconnect the steering joint from the steering gearbox pinion shaft.
5. Before disconnecting the battery, make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio (and the navigation system), then write down the frequencies for the radio's preset stations.
6. Secure the hood in a vertical position with the support rod.
7. Disconnect the battery negative terminal, then remove the positive terminal.
8. Remove the battery hold-down bracket, then disconnect the battery and battery tray.
9. Remove the harness clamps, connectors, and fuse box from the battery base. Loosen the bolt securing the battery base from under the vehicle, and the remaining bolts (3) from the engine compartment, then remove the battery base.
10. Remove the engine covers and intake air duct.
    Fig 2: Removing The Engine Covers & Intake Air Duct

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
11. Remove the power steering pump outlet hose (A) at the pump (B), and remove the hose clamp bolt (C).
    Fig 3: Removing The Power Steering Pump Outlet Hose At The Pump & Removing The Hose Clamp Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Raise the vehicle, and make sure it is supported securely.
13. Remove the splash shield.
14. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the automatic transmission fluid (ATF). Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B).
    Fig 4: Removing/Installing The Drain Plug

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
15. Remove the transmission breather tube clamp (A) from the clamp bracket (B) on the coolant pipe (C), and remove the breather tube (D) from its clamp (E) on the radiator hose.
    Fig 5: Removing The Transmission Breather Tube Clamp From The Clamp Bracket On The Coolant Pipe & Removing The Breather Tube From Its Clamp On The Radiator Hose

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Remove the cooler hose (A) from the clamp (B) on the starter, and paint a white dot (C) on the hose where it came out of the clamp.
    Fig 6: Removing The Cooler Hose From The Clamp On The Starter & Paint A White Dot On The Hose

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Remove the ATF cooler hoses (A) from the ATF cooler lines (D). Turn the ends of the ATF cooler hoses up to prevent ATF from flowing out, then plug the ATF cooler hoses and lines. Check for any signs of leakage at the hose joints.
18. Remove the starter cables (A) from the starter (B), then remove the starter.
    Fig 7: Removing The Starter

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Remove the harness clips (B) from the brackets (D), then disconnect the connectors from the shift solenoid valves A and C, A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C (E), 4th clutch transmission fluid pressure switch (F), and input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor (G).
    Fig 8: Removing The Harness Clips From The Brackets, & Disconnecting The Connectors From The Shift Solenoid Valves A & C, A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve C, 4th Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch & Input Shaft (Mainshaft) Speed Sensor

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Remove the transmission ground cable (H).
21. Remove the 8P connector (C) from its connector bracket (D), then disconnect the connector.
    Fig 9: Removing The 8P Connector From Its Connector Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
22. Remove the harness clips (E) from the brackets (F), then disconnect the connectors from the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valves A and B.
23. Disconnect the connectors from the torque converter clutch solenoid valve (A) and shift solenoid valve B.
    Fig 10: Disconnecting The Connectors From The Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Valve & Shift Solenoid Valve

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
24. Remove the joint connector (A) and transmission range switch connector (B) from the connector bracket (C).
    Fig 11: Removing The Joint Connector & Transmission Range Switch Connector From The Connector Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Disconnect transmission range switch connector, then remove the harness clip (D) from the bracket (E).
26. Disconnect the connector from the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor (F).
27. Remove the bolt (G) securing the harness cover. then remove the harness cover (H).
28. Remove the primary heated oxygen sensor (Primary HO2S) connector (A) from its connector bracket (B), then disconnect the connector.
    Fig 12: Removing The Primary Heated Oxygen Sensor (Primary HO2S) Connector From Its Connector Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 13: Removing The Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
30. Remove the front mount nut.
    Fig 14: Removing The Front Mount Nut

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Lift and support the engine with an engine hanger (A) (T/N AART-12566, and the engine balance bar (B) available through the American Honda Tool and Equipment Program, or equivalent) and the special tools. Attach the front arm (C) to the front cylinder head with a spacer (D) and the 10 x 1.25 mm bolt (E). Attach the rear arm (F) to the rear cylinder head with the 8 x 1.25 mm bolt (G).
    Fig 15: Supporting The Engine With An Engine Hanger

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. Remove the front subframe stiffener.
    Fig 16: Removing The Front Subframe Stiffener

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Remove the Primary HO2S harness clamp bracket (A) from the transmission.
    Fig 17: Removing The Primary HO2S Harness Clamp Bracket From The Transmission

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Remove the harness from the harness clamp (B).
35. Remove the exhaust pipe A.
    Fig 18: Removing The Exhaust Pipe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Remove the spring clips (A) and castle nuts (B), and separate the lower arms (C) from the knuckles (D) (see LOWER ARM ).
    Fig 19: Removing The Spring Clips & Castle Nuts, & Separating The Lower Arms From The Knuckles

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
37. Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench (E) in the top of the ball joint pin (F), and remove the nut (G), then separate the stabilizer link (H).
38. Remove the cotter pins (I) and nuts (J), and separate the tie-rod end ball joints (K) from the knuckles (see step 11 on STEERING GEARBOX REMOVAL ).
39. Pry the left driveshaft out of the differential and the right driveshaft from the intermediate shaft (see step 10 on AXLE SHAFTS ).
40. Make a reference mark (A) across the propeller shaft (B) and the transfer companion flange (C).
    Fig 20: Making A Reference Mark Across The Propeller Shaft & The Transfer Companion Flange

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
41. Separate the propeller shaft from the transfer.
42. Remove the shift cable cover (A), then remove the bolts securing the shift cable holder (B).
    Fig 21: Removing The Shift Cable Cover & Removing The Bolts Securing The Shift Cable Holder

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
43. Remove the change shaft (C) and the lock bolt (D) securing the control lever (E), then remove the shift cable (F) with the control lever. Do not bend the shift cable excessively.
44. Install a 6 x 1.0 x 14 mm bolt (A) and nut (B) on the shift cable cover (C), then reinstall the shift cable cover to the torque converter housing. If you don't do this, the bolt head of the cable cover may prevent you from removing the torque converter during transmission removal.
    Fig 22: Installing A 6 X 1.0 X 14 Mm Bolt & Nut On The Shift Cable Cover

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
45. Remove the transfer assembly from the transmission.
    Fig 23: Removing The Transfer Assembly From The Transmission

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
46. Remove the torque converter cover (A), then remove the eight drive plate bolts (B) one at a time while rotating the crankshaft pulley.
    Fig 24: Removing The Torque Converter Cover & Drive Plate Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
47. Remove the engine-to-torque converter housing mounting bolts (C).
48. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 25: Disconnecting The Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
49. Remove the power steering hose clamp (A), then disconnect the hose (B) from the pipe (C) at the right front of the subframe (D).
    Fig 26: Removing The Power Steering Hose Clamp & Disconnecting The Hose From The Pipe At The Right Front Of The Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
50. Remove the transmission lower mount nuts (four).
    Fig 27: Removing The Transmission Lower Mount Nuts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
51. Make reference marks (A) on the body across the marks (B) on the edge of the front subframe (C).
    Fig 28: Making Reference Marks On The Body Across The Marks On The Edge Of The Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
52. Remove the rear mount bracket bolts (three).
    Fig 29: Removing The Rear Mount Bracket Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
NOTE: The adapter is designed to be used with the transmission jack (model number LSL-W93714) or powertrain lift (model number OTC-1585) . It will also work with most commercially available transmission jacks.
Fig 30: Loosening The Bolts Holding The Adjustable Arms Of The Front Subframe Adapter To Its Center Plate
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
53. Loosen the four bolts (A) holding the adjustable arms (B) of the front subframe adapter (T/N EQS02BMDXB0) to its center plate.
54. Line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then attach the adapter to the jack base with the bolts (A) that came with the jack. Tighten all bolts securely.
    Fig 31: Lining Up The Slots In The Arms With The Bolt Holes On The Corner Of The Jack Base

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
55. Raise the jack to vehicle height, then attach the adapter to the front subframe using the subframe stiffener mounting bolts (B) and bolt holes.
56. Remove the 12 x 1.25 mm bolts (6) (A) securing the subframe stiffeners (B), the four subframe mounting bolts (C), and the stiffeners, then lower the front subframe (D).
    Fig 32: Removing The 12 X 1.25 Mm Bolts Securing The Subframe Stiffeners, The Subframe Mounting Bolts & The Stiffeners

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
57. Remove the transmission lower mounts.
    Fig 33: Removing The Transmission Lower Mounts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
58. Remove the driveshafts from the differential and the intermediate shaft. Coat all precision finished surfaces with clean engine oil, then tie plastic bags over the driveshaft ends.
    Fig 34: Tying Plastic Bags Over The Driveshaft Ends

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
59. Move the left driveshaft towards the front of the vehicle.
60. Remove the intermediate shaft.
    Fig 35: Removing The Intermediate Shaft

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
61. Coat all precision finished surfaces with clean engine oil, then tie plastic bags over both ends of the intermediate shaft.
62. Remove the front mount bracket.
    Fig 36: Removing The Front Mount Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
63. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 37: Removing The Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
64. Lower the transmission, and tilt the engine just enough for the transmission to clear its end cover from the side frame.
65. Place a jack under the transmission.
NOTE: If the torque converter is stuck to the drive plate, pull it toward the transmission housing from the starter opening.
66. Pull the transmission away from the engine until it clears the dowel pins, then lower it on the jack.
67. Remove the shift cable cover, then remove the torque converter assembly from the torque converter housing.
    Fig 38: Removing The Torque Converter Assembly From The Torque Converter Housing

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
68. Remove the 6 x 1.0 x 14 mm bolt that you installed on the shift cable cover in step  44 .
    Fig 39: Removing The 6 X 1.0 X 14 Mm Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
69. Inspect the drive plate, and replace if it's damaged.