QuestionHow difficult is this job? I remember the old day when you could change a transmission by loosening a few bolts. I am a mediocre mechanic, chiltons was of no help. Just some advice needed.
AnswerHi
Heres the EXACT GM Procedure from the 1998 Sunfire Service manual.
You WILL need an Engine Holding Fixture, USUALLY avalible for loan or rental from Auto Parts stores or rental shops.
(Or maybe you know someone with one?)
Hope this helps.
Disconnect the negative and positive battery cable.
Remove the battery.
Disconnect the IAT sensor and loosen the air duct hose from the intake plenum.
Remove the push pin from the relay center, lift the relay center.
Remove the air cleaner assembly.
Remove the upper radiator filler panel.
Install Engine Holding Fixture the to the engine.
Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness from the transaxle and the PNP switch.
Remove the screw from the front coolant pipe bracket to allow the freedom of movement.
Remove the 3 upper transmission to engine bolts and the 1 stud.
Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle.
Remove the 2 top bolts from the transaxle mount.
Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to.
Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies.
Remove both inner fender splash shields.
Disconnect the engine strut from the lower engine mount.
Disconnect the front and rear oxygen senors and wiring harness from the shift cable bracket.
Remove the wiring harness from the retaining clips.
Remove the front exhaust pipe.
Disconnect the wheel speed sensor wires from the both front wheels and unclip the clips from the frame.
Remove the lower steering intermediate shaft pinch bolt.
Separate both of the tie rods from the spindles.
Remove the cotter pins and the retainers from the lower ball joints, separate the ball joints from the spindle.
Unclip the brake line from the retainers on the suspension support frame clips.
Place a suitable drain pan in position to catch the power steering fluid as you remove the power steering lines from the rack and pinion assembly.
Remove the bolt which retains the power steering line to the right side of the suspension support brace.
Remove the front suspension support brace bolts.
Remove the support brace.
With the aid of an assistant remove the lower suspension support.
Remove the 2 bolts which hold the transmission to engine support brace to the transmission at the right side of the transaxle output shaft.
Disconnect the shift cable from the shift linkage.
Disconnect the cable from the bracket.
Remove the flywheel inspection cover.
Remove the starter.
Mark the relationship of the flywheel to the torque converter for reassembly.
Remove the torque converter to flywheel bolts.
Remove the transmission cooler lines by removing the nut holding the bracket to the transaxle case.
Disconnect the VSS wiring harness from the sensor.
Disconnect the transaxle output shafts from the transaxle and support in an out of the way position with mechanics wire.
Remove the 2 bolts which retain the transmission bracket to the body.
Remove the 2 bolts retaining the bracket to the transaxle.
Remove the wiring harness from the body.
Lower the vehicle.
Remove the 2 bolts from the transaxle to body bracket.
Lower the transmission with the engine support fixture enough to remove the transmission.
Raise the vehicle.
Remove the two retaining bolts and the bracket.
Remove the 2 transaxle to engine bolts.
Support the transmission with a suitable jack.
Separate the engine and the transaxle.
Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
Flush the transmission cooler and the lines with the , or equivalent, whenever the transmission has been removed for overhaul or replacement.
Follow post back, if needed.
Pawl
