Replacing or rebuilding an automatic transmission can be quite expensive. If you’re looking for a way to significantly reduce the cost, consider removing and replacing it on your own. While removing an automatic transmission isn’t the most difficult task, it does require a fair amount of preparation in order to pull off successfully. While the removal process will vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle, the general process is fairly universal. To learn how to safely remove your vehicle’s transmission, take a look at this easy-to-follow automatic transmission removal guide.
Step 1: Start Under the Hood
The first step in removing your vehicle’s automatic transmission is to park your vehicle on a flat concrete surface in a safe space and set the parking brake. Then, open the hood and remove the negative battery cable and move the end of it away from the battery post. In addition, remove the transmission fluid dipstick as well as the dipstick tube by unscrewing the single nut or bolt which attaches it to the transmission. If the dipstick tube is not easily accessible from under the hood, you can remove it from underneath the vehicle later.
You will also need to disconnect all transmission electrical connectors and remove all the brackets, cables, and hoses that connect the automatic transmission to the engine. Upon doing so, locate the starter motor, remove the starter bolts, and pull the starter out of the bell housing. If you choose not to remove the starter completely, use a wire or strong cord to support it.
Lastly, locate the area where the transmission bell housing bolts to the engine. This typically occurs at the top rear of the engine near the firewall. Once you have located it, remove the bolts connecting the top bell housing to the engine. Keeping all of the removed nuts and bolts in labeled containers and marking the locations of removed brackets or taking a photo prior to disconnecting them will be highly beneficial when it comes time to reinstall the transmission.
Step 2: Lift the Vehicle
Once you have completed all the necessary work under the hood, raise the front of the vehicle and brace it on two jack stands for support. You may also choose to lift the rear end of the vehicle and support it with jack stands. While not completely necessary, doing so will make the process of removing the transition easier. In addition to ensuring that the vehicle is lifted high enough for you to work beneath it, you should also make sure that it is high enough for the transmission to eventually slide out from under it once it has been removed.
Step 3: Drain the Transmission Fluid
Now that the vehicle has been raised, place the drain pan under the rear end of the transmission and remove most of the pan bolts on the transmission except for the bolts at one end of the pan. These bolts should be loosened so that the pan drops down on one end, creating a sort of slide for the transmission fluid to flow down into the drain pan. Let all the fluid drain out before refastening the pan bolts.
Step 4: Remove Additional Components Connecting the Transmission to the Vehicle
The next step of the automatic transmission removal process is to remove the U-joint bolts holding the driveshaft to the rear differential and use a screwdriver or other suitable tool to pry the driveshaft off of the differential. Upon doing so, slide the driveshaft off of the transmission and set it aside. Then, disconnect all electrical connectors, hoses, wires, and cables that interfere with the transmission’s removal.
Step 5: Disconnect the Cooler Line From the Transmission
Once all components that connect the vehicle to the transmission have been removed, disconnect the cooler lines from the transmission. To avoid damaging the lines while doing so, use a tube wrench when loosening and tightening the lines.
Step 6: Remove Various Bolts
Next, remove the bolts securing the torque converter to the flywheel. To do so, remove the inspection plate at the bottom of the bell housing. Using a flashlight, look inside of the housing to locate and remove the nuts and bolts securing the torque converter to the flywheel. When removing the bolts, you will need to rotate the engine using either a breaker bar and a large socket or a small pry bar. Failing to remove all of the bolts will cause the converter to hang on the flyway when you try to remove the transmission which can create a potentially dangerous situation.
Then, place a hydraulic or transmission jack under the transmission pan, raising it slightly so that the transmission’s weight rests on it. Upon doing so, remove the transmission mount nuts and bolts to separate the transmission from the cross member and remove it.
The next bolts you will need to remove are the bell housing bolts. Remove all the bell housing bolts except one of the bottom bolts that is easy to access. To give yourself more workspace while doing so, lower the transmission jack a little.
Step 7: Remove Sections of the Exhaust System
Unless your vehicle has dual exhaust, you will need to remove the crossover pipe. The crossover pipe connects the left side of the exhaust system to the right side. In addition to the crossover pipe, you should also remove any other sections of the exhaust system that may prevent you from separating the transmission from the engine.
Step 8: Remove the Transmission from the Vehicle
It is finally time to remove the transmission from the vehicle. Before doing so, double-check to ensure that all components that may interfere with the removal of the transmission have been detached. Then, remove the last bell housing bolt and have an assistant help you hold the transmission steady as you move the transmission jack away from the engine until the two components separate. Once the engine and transmission are detached from one another, lower the jack completely and slide the transmission onto the floor and out from underneath the vehicle.
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