The 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix uses either a 4T60-E or a 4T65-E automatic transmission. Mounts and a frame support the transmission. You need a car lift to remove the transmission. While you could remove it with the car on the ground, you would not be able to reinstall it. If the transmission malfunctions, you could have it rebuilt, or replace it with a new or used transmission.
Position the vehicle on the lift. Locate the jack points on the vehicle, set the lift legs, then raise the lift just high enough to lift the body of the vehicle about an inch. The wheels still should be firmly planted on the ground. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels, but do not remove them.
Lift the vehicle up enough to slide under it. Slide the drain pan under the transmission pan. Remove the drain pan bolt and allow the transmission fluid to drain. Lower the vehicle. Install the engine hoist.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. Move it aside, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Loosen the clamp on the throttle body air inlet duct, using the screwdriver, then pull the duct off. Remove the engine mount struts, using the appropriate socket.
Unplug the wiring harness connectors on the transmission. Loosen the clamps on the vacuum hose and the pipe on the modulator, then pull the hose and pipe off. Remove the range selector cable from the neutral safety switch, using the screwdriver. Unbolt and remove the neutral safety switch.
Remove the transmission filler tube, using the appropriate socket. Remove the upper transmission bolts and the wiring harness grounds. Remove both front wheels, using the lug wrench. Remove the engine splash shields, using the appropriate socket.
Remove both tie rod ends from the steering knuckles. Count the turns as you take them off. If you don't put them on with the same number of turns you count as you take them off, you will need to have the vehicle aligned.
Remove the power steering gear from the frame and tie it to the body of the vehicle, using safety wire or a metal coat hanger. Remove the power steering cooler line clamps, using the screwdriver. Remove the engine mount lower nuts, using the appropriate wrench. Remove the lower ball joints, using the ball joint remover tool.
Remove the torque converter cover, using the appropriate socket. Remove the wiring from the starter. Thread the nuts back onto the studs so you don't lose them. Unbolt and remove the starter. Remove the torque converter bolts.
Slide the drain pan under the oil cooler hoses at the transmission. Remove the hoses, using a line wrench. Plug the ends of the lines to keep them from becoming contaminated. Remove the CV axles at the transmission, and tie them to the steering knuckles and struts using safety wire or a wire coat hanger.
Unplug the wheel speed sensor and vehicle speed sensor connectors. Position the four jack stands under the vehicle at the corners of the frame. Lower the vehicle so that the frame is sitting on top of the floor jacks. Remove the transmission brace, using the appropriate socket. Remove the frame-to-body bolts. Lift the vehicle up off the frame and transmission. Unbolt and remove the transmission from the frame.
