Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566
• Engine hanger balance bar VSB02C000019
• Engine hanger adapter VSB02C000014
• Front subframe adapter VSB02BX0

These special tools are available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program 1-888-424-6857.

1. Make sure you have anti-theft codes for the audio system and the navigation system (if equipped), then write down the audio presets.
2. Secure the hood in the wide open position with the support rod.
3. Set the wheels in the straight ahead position, and lock the steering wheel.
4. Drain the power steering system fluid from the reservoir (see FLUID REPLACEMENT ).
5. Make sure the ignition switch is OFF. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery, then disconnect the positive cable from the battery.
6. Remove the battery hold-down bracket, and remove the battery and battery tray.
7. Remove the intake manifold cover and the intake air duct.
8. Remove the battery base and battery base bracket.
9. Remove the front bulkhead cover.
10. Raise the vehicle, and make sure it is securely supported.
11. Remove the splash shield.
12. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
    Fig 1: Drain Plug And Sealing Washer With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
13. Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B). Tighten the drain plug to the specified torque.
14. Disconnect the steering joint (see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
15. Remove the power steering pump outlet line (A) from the power steering pump, and remove the hose clamp bolt (B).
    Fig 2: Locating Power Steering Pump Outlet Line And Hose Clamp Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Remove the transmission breather tube (A) from the breather pipe (B) at the transmission housing.
    Fig 3: Locating Transmission Breather Tube And Breather Pipe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Disconnect the solenoid harness connector (A).
    Fig 4: Identifying Starter Solenoid And Harness Connectors

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
18. Disconnect the starter cables (B) from the starter, and remove the harness clamps (C) from the clamp brackets (D).
19. Remove the dipstick, then remove the starter (A) and gasket (B).
    Fig 5: Locating Starter And Gasket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Remove the nuts securing the shift cable bracket (A).
    Fig 6: Locating Shift Cable End Transmission Side

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
21. Remove the spring clip/washer (B) and control pin (C), then separate the shift cable end (D) from the control lever (E).
22. Check the bushing (F) in the shift cable end for a proper fit and wear. If the bushing is loose or worn, replace the shift cable (see SHIFT CABLE REPLACEMENT  ).
23. Remove the bolt securing the harness cover (A).
    Fig 7: Identifying Harness Connectors And Harness Cover

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
24. Remove the harness clamp (B) from the harness cover/clamp bracket (C), disconnect the 4th clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (D), then remove the harness cover from the bracket.
25. Disconnect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector (E) and A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve B connector (F).
26. Disconnect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C connector (A).
    Fig 8: Locating A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve C Connector And Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
27. Remove the bolts securing the harness cover (B) and harness cover/clamp bracket (C).
28. Disconnect the transmission range switch connector (A), and remove the harness clamp (B) from the clamp bracket (C).
    Fig 9: Locating Ground Cable, Transmission Range Switch Connector And Harness Clamp

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Remove the transmission ground cable (D).
30. Remove the ATF cooler hoses (A) from the ATF cooler lines (B). Turn the ends of the cooler hoses up to prevent ATF from flowing out, then plug the cooler hoses and lines.
    Fig 10: Identifying ATF Cooler Hoses And ATF Cooler Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Check for any signs of leakage at the hose joints.
32. Disconnect the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (A), output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (B), ATF temperature sensor connector (C), and 3rd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (D).
    Fig 11: Identifying Transmission Pressure Switch, And Sensor(s) Connectors

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Remove the connector bracket from the engine front cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach engine hanger balancer bar front arm.
    Fig 12: Identifying Connector Bracket And Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Remove the harness clamp bracket from the engine rear cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach engine hanger balancer bar rear arm.
    Fig 13: Identifying Harness Clamp Bracket And Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
35. Install the engine hanger balance bar (VSB02C000019); attach the front arm (A) to the front cylinder head with a spacer and the 10 mm bolt, and attach the rear arm (B) to the rear cylinder head with the 8 mm bolt.
    Fig 14: Identifying Engine Hanger Balance Bar (VSB02C000019)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Install the engine hanger adapters (VSB02C000014) on the ends of the support beams of the engine support hanger (AAR-T-12566). Install the engine support hanger and adapters to the vehicle, and attach the hook to the slotted hole in the engine hanger balance bar. Tighten the wing nut (C) by hand, to lift and support the engine.
37. 4WD: Remove the front mount nut.
    Fig 15: Identifying Front Mount And Nut - 4WD

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
38. 2WD: Remove the front mount stop (A), and front mount bolt (B).
    Fig 16: Identifying Front Mount Stop And Front Mount Bolt - 2WD

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
39. Remove the front subframe stiffener.
    Fig 17: Identifying Front Subframe Stiffener

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
40. Remove exhaust pipe A and its mount (B).
    Fig 18: Identifying Exhaust Pipe, Mount And Fasteners

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
41. Remove the lock pins (A) and castle nuts (B), and separate the lower arms (C) from the knuckles (D) (see step 11 under KNUCKLE/HUB REPLACEMENT ).
    Fig 19: Inserting 6 mm Allen Wrench In Top Of Ball Joint Pin

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench (E) in the top of the ball joint pin (F), and remove the nuts (G), then separate the stabilizer link (H).
43. Remove the cotter pins (I) and nuts (J), and separate the tie-rod end ball joints (K) from the knuckles (see step 9 under KNUCKLE/HUB REPLACEMENT ).
44. 4WD: Remove the bolt securing the transfer breather tube bracket (A), and disconnect the breather tube (B) from the breather pipe (C) on the transfer assembly.
    Fig 20: Identifying Breather Tube And Breather Pipe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
45. 4WD: Make a reference mark (A) across the propeller shaft (B) and the transfer companion flange (C), and separate the propeller shaft from the transfer companion flange.
    Fig 21: Identifying Reference Mark, Propeller Shaft And Flange - 4WD

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
46. 4WD: Remove the transfer assembly from the transmission.
    Fig 22: Identifying Transfer Assembly And Transmission - 4WD

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
47. Remove the torque converter cover (A), and remove the drive plate bolts (B) (8) while rotating the crankshaft pulley.
    Fig 23: Identifying Torque Converter Cover And Drive Plate Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
48. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 24: Identifying Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
49. Remove the power steering fluid hose (A) from the hose clamp (B) at the right front of the subframe.
    Fig 25: Identifying Power Steering Fluid Hose And Hose Clamp

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
50. Loosen the hose clamp bolt, then disconnect the power steering fluid hose from the fluid line (C).
51. Remove the four transmission lower mount nuts (A).
    Fig 26: Identifying Transmission Lower Mount And Fasteners

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
52. 2WD: Disconnect engine mount control solenoid valve connector (A), and remove the harness clamp (B) from the front subframe.
    Fig 27: Identifying Engine Mount Control Solenoid Valve Connector - 2WD

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
53. 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 Body Across Marks On Edge Of Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
54. 4WD: Remove the three rear mount bracket bolts.
    Fig 29: Identifying Rear Mount Bracket Bolts - 4WD

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
55. 2WD: Remove the four rear mount bracket bolts.
    Fig 30: Identifying Rear Mount Bracket Bolts - 2WD

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
56. 2WD: Disconnect engine control mount solenoid valve connector (A), and remove the harness clamp (B). Remove the bolt (C) securing the power steering fluid line bracket (D) on the rear mount bracket.
    Fig 31: Identifying Disconnect Engine Control Mount Solenoid Valve Connector - 2WD

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
57. Loosen the four bolts (A) holding the adjustable arms (B) of the front subframe adapter (VSB02BX0) to its center plate.
    NOTE: The adapter is designed to be used the Honda transmission jack (model number LSL-W93714) or powertrain lift (model number OTC-1585), both available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program. It will also work with most commercially available transmission jack.
    Fig 32: Locating Bolts Holding Adjustable Arms Of Front Subframe Adapter (VSB02BX0) To Its Center Plate

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
58. Line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then attach the adapter (VSB02BX0) to the jack base with the bolts (A) that came with the jack. Tighten the bolts securely.
    Fig 33: Adapter (VSB02BX0), Jack Base And Bolts With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
59. Raise the jack to the vehicle height, then attach the adapter to the front subframe using the subframe stiffener mounting bolts (B) and bolt holes.
60. Remove both retainers securing the rear mounting bolt and nut of the front subframe.
    Fig 34: Identifying Retainers Securing Rear Mounting Bolt And Nut Of Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
61. Remove the six bolts securing the front stiffeners (A) and rear stiffeners (B), and four bolts securing the front subframe (C), and lower the front subframe.
    Fig 35: Identifying Front & Rear Stiffeners, Front Subframe And Fasteners

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
62. Remove the transmission lower mounts.
    Fig 36: Identifying Transmission Lower Mounts And Fasteners

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
63. Remove the driveshafts from the differential and the intermediate shaft. Coat all precision machined surfaces with clean engine oil, then put plastic bags over driveshaft ends.
    Fig 37: Placing Plastic Bags Over Driveshaft Ends

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
64. Remove the exhaust manifold bracket (A) and heat shield (B).
    Fig 38: Identifying Exhaust Manifold Bracket And Heat Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
65. Remove the intermediate shaft (C). Coat all precision machined surfaces with clean engine oil, then put the plastic bags over intermediate shaft ends.
66. Remove the upper transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 39: Identifying Upper Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
67. Remove the lower transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 40: Identifying Lower Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
68. Remove the front mount bracket (A).
    Fig 41: Identifying Front Mount Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
69. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolt (B) using a socket 22 mm in length.
70. Remove the rear transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 42: Identifying Rear Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
71. Place a jack under the transmission.
72. Lower the transmission by loosening the wing nut of the engine support hanger, and tilt the engine just enough for the transmission to clear its end from the side frame.
73. Slide the transmission away from the engine to remove it from the vehicle.
74. Remove the torque converter and dowel pins.
    Fig 43: Identifying Torque Converter And Dowel Pins

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