Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566
• Engine hanger balance bar VSB02C000019
• Engine hanger adapter set VSB02C000024
• Front subframe adapter VSB02BMDXSB0

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

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft codes for the audio system and the navigation system (if equipped).
2. Secure the hood in the wide open position (position the support rod in the lower hole).
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 LOCK (0). Disconnect the negative cable from the battery, then disconnect the positive cable.
6. Remove the battery hold-down bracket, and remove the battery and the battery tray.
7. Remove the intake manifold cover, the intake air duct, the resonator, and the air cleaner housing.
8. Remove the battery base and the battery base bracket.
9. Remove the front bulkhead cover (see FRONT BULKHEAD COVER REPLACEMENT ).
10. Raise the vehicle on a lift, and make sure it is supported securely (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ). Remove the splash shield (see FRONT SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
11. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
    Fig 1: A/T Drain Plug With Torque Specifications

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

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
15. Remove the transmission breather hose (A) from the breather pipe (B) at the transmission housing.
    Fig 3: Identifying Transmission Breather Hose And Breather Pipe

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

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Remove the starter cables (B) from the starter, and remove the harness clamps (C) from the clamp brackets (D).
18. Remove the dipstick, then remove the starter and gasket.
    Fig 5: Identifying Starter, Cables And Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Remove the nuts securing the shift cable bracket (A).
    Fig 6: Identifying Shift Cable Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Remove the spring clip/washer (B) and the control pin (C), then separate the shift cable end (D) from the control lever (E).
21. Remove the bolt securing the harness cover (A).
    Fig 7: Identifying Harness Clamp And Harness Cover/Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
22. 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.
23. Disconnect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector (E) and the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve B connector (F).
24. Disconnect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C connector (A).
    Fig 8: Identifying A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve Connector

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

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
27. Remove the transmission ground cable (D).
28. 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.
29. Check for any signs of leakage at the hose joints.
30. Disconnect the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (A), the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (B), the ATF temperature sensor connector (C), and the 3rd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (D).
    Fig 11: Identifying Speed Sensor, ATF Temperature Sensor And 3Rd Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Remove the transfer breather (A) from the throttle cable bracket (B), and remove the transfer breather hose clamp (C) from the heater hose (D).
    Fig 12: Identifying Transfer Breather And Throttle Cable Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. Remove the connector bracket from the engine front cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach the engine hanger balancer bar front arm.
    Fig 13: Identifying Connector Bracket At Engine Front Cylinder Head

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Remove the harness clamp bracket from the engine rear cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach the engine hanger balancer bar rear arm.
    Fig 14: Identifying Harness Clamp Bracket And Engine Rear Cylinder Head

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Remove the service caps (A) for the front damper flange nuts from the cowl cover (B). Position the engine hanger adapters (VSB02C000024) with the "FRONT" mark facing forward over the damper flange nuts.
    Fig 15: Positioning Engine Hanger Adapters (VSB02C000024)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
35. Install the engine 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 16: Identifying Engine Balance Bar And Support Hanger

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T-12566) to the vehicle, and attach the hook to slotted hold in the engine balance bar. Tighten the wing nut (C) by hand, and to lift and support the engine.
37. Remove the front mount nut.
    Fig 17: Identifying Front Mount Nut

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
38. Remove the front subframe stiffener.
    Fig 18: Identifying Front Subframe Stiffener

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
39. Remove exhaust pipe A and its mount (B).
    Fig 19: Identifying Exhaust Pipe, Mount And Fasteners

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
40. Remove the lock pins (A) and the castle nuts (B), and separate the lower arms (C) from the knuckles (D) (see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).
    Fig 20: Identifying Lower Arms And Stabilizer Link

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
41. 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).
42. Remove the cotter pins (I) and nuts (J), and separate the tie-rod end ball joints (K) from the knuckles (Fig 20), (see step 9 in KNUCKLE/HUB REPLACEMENT ).
43. Remove the bolt securing the transfer breather hose bracket (A), and disconnect the breather hose (B) from the breather pipe (C) on the transfer assembly.
    Fig 21: Identifying Breather Hose And Breather Pipe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
44. Make a reference mark (A) across the propeller shaft (B) and the transfer companion flange (C).
    Fig 22: Identifying Reference Mark Across Propeller Shaft Flange And Fasteners

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
45. Separate the propeller shaft from the transfer companion flange.
46. Remove the transfer assembly from the transmission.
    Fig 23: Identifying Transfer Assembly And Fasteners

    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 24: Identifying Torque Converter Cover And Drive Plate Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
48. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 25: 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 26: 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 27: Identifying Transmission Lower Mount Nuts

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

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

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
54. Loosen the four bolts (A) holding the adjustable arms (B) of the front subframe adapter (EQS02BMDXSB0) 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 jacks.
    Fig 30: Identifying Bolts And Adjustable Arms Of Front Subframe Adapter

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
55. 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 the bolts securely.
    Fig 31: Attaching Adapter To Jack Base With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
56. 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.
57. For '07-08 models: Remove both retainers securing the rear mounting bolts of the front subframe.
    Fig 32: Identifying Subframe Stiffener Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
58. Remove the six bolts securing the stiffeners (A) and the four bolts securing the front subframe (B), and lower the front subframe.
    Fig 33: Identifying Bolts Securing Stiffeners And Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
59. Remove the transmission lower mounts.
    Fig 34: Identifying Transmission Lower Mounts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
60. Remove the driveshafts from the differential and the intermediate shaft. Coat all precision machined surfaces with clean engine oil, then put plastic bags over the driveshaft ends.
    Fig 35: Putting Plastic Bags Over Driveshaft Ends

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
61. Remove the exhaust manifold bracket (A) and the heat shield (B).
    Fig 36: Identifying Exhaust Manifold Bracket, Heat Shield And Intermediate Shaft

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
62. Remove the intermediate shaft (C). Coat all precision machined surfaces with clean engine oil, then put the plastic bags over the intermediate shaft ends.
63. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 37: Identifying Transmission Housing Upper Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
64. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 38: Identifying Transmission Housing Lower Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
65. Remove the front mount bracket (A).
    Fig 39: Identifying Front Mount Bracket And Transmission Housing Mounting Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
66. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolt (B) using a socket 22 mm in length.
67. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 40: Identifying Transmission Housing Rear Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
68. Lower the transmission by loosening the wing nut of the engine support hanger, and tilt the engine just enough for the transmission end to clear the side frame.
69. Place a jack under the transmission.
70. Slide the transmission away from the engine to remove it from the vehicle.
71. Remove the torque converter and the dowel pins.
    Fig 41: Identifying Torque Converter And Dowel Pins

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