You never realize how much each part on a Jeep Grand Cherokee relies on other parts to work until something goes wrong. The same is true for transmission problems. Transmissions connect to numerous other parts and sensors throughout the vehicle. Only when a transmission problem occurs do you discover how complicated and expensive the replacement of transmssion can be. Transmission replacement is not for a novice mechanic or the faint of heart. It is a challenge for intermediate and expert mechanics to handle.
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Place a brick or block of wood behind the back tires. Lift the front of the Jeep with a jack. Place two jack stands underneath the Jeep.
Unplug the distance sensor, neutral switch, solenoid and O2 sensor harnesses. Remove the harnesses from the retaining clips on the transmission. Label the harnesses with masking tape and a pen. Set the harnesses to the side.
Label the vacuum lines with masking tape and a pen. Pull on the vacuum lines to remove the lines from the transmission. Remove any exhaust system components that are in the way.
Position the drain pan underneath the transmission pan. Remove the rear and side mounting bolts with a socket and ratchet. Loosen the front bolts four turns with a socket and ratchet. Pry the transmission pan loose with a screwdriver. Let the fluid drain.
Remove the remaining bolts. Remove the pan and gasket. Remove all traces of the gasket and sealant with a gasket scraper.
Remove the filter retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the filter. Reinstall the transmission pan.
Draw a straight line on the driveshaft yoke to the rear differential yoke with chalk.
Insert a flat-head screwdriver through the driveshaft yoke. Remove the flange bolts from the driveshaft with a wrench. Tape the bearing caps to the spider with duct tape.
Lower the rear end of the driveshaft manually. Remove the front of the driveshaft from the transmission.
Pull the transmission cooler lines off of the transmission. A special tool is not required. Cover the lines with tape to prevent leaks and protect the transmission from contamination.
Pry the shift cable off of the shift lever with a small screwdriver. Pinch the housing tabs on the bracket together with pliers. Pull the shift cable and housing through the bracket.
Loosen the clamp on the air filter housing with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the duct from the air filter housing.
Remove the clips. Remove the air filter housing mounting nuts with a socket and ratchet.
Lift the housing up. Detach the housing from the fresh air intake duct. Remove the assembly from the engine compartment.
Push the cable mounting ears together with pliers. Remove the cable from the engine bracket.
Position the jack under the transmission. Raise the jack to support the transmission.
Remove the bolts that attach the rear insulator to the rear crossmember with a socket and ratchet. Raise the transmission slightly with the jack. Remove the crossmember-to-frame bolts with a socket and ratchet. Remove the crossmember.
Remove the bolts on the torque converter access cover with a socket and ratchet.
Remove the nuts on the starter motor with a socket and ratchet. Disconnect the wires. Remove the wires from any retaining clips. Remove the starter mounting bolts with a socket and ratchet. Remove the starter.
Draw a line with white paint from the torque converter to the driveplate.
Move the crankshaft clockwise to gain access to each bolt. Remove the torque converter-to-driveplate bolts with a socket and ratchet.
Support the engine with a jack. Remove the lower transmission-to-engine bolts with a socket and ratchet. Slightly lower the transmission. Remove the upper transmission-to-engine bolts with a socket and ratchet.
Unplug and remove the crankshaft position sensor. Remove the transmission dipstick tube bolts with a socket and ratchet. Remove the dipstick tube. Throw the O-ring away.
Move the transmission backward to disengage the transmission from the engine block dowel pins. Make sure the torque converter is detached from the driveplate. Tie the torque converter to the transmission.
Lower the transmission. Remove the transmission out from under the Jeep.
Remove the chains from the transmission. Move the transmission off of the jack. Remove the torque converter. Install the torque converter on the new transmission. Place the transmission on the jack. Use safety chains to stabilize the transmission.
Push the transmission underneath the Jeep. Raise the transmission into position. Connect the transmission fluid cooler lines to the transmission.
Turn the torque converter to line up the bolt holes with the holes on the driveplate. Line up the white paint mark on the converter and the driveplate. Move the transmission forward slowly until the engine dowel pins and torque converter engage.
Install the transmission housing-to-engine bolts. Tighten the bolts to 30-lb., using a torque wrench for 46RE transmissions. For all other transmissions, tighten the bolts to 50-lb., using a torque wrench. Lower the jack under the engine. Remove the jack.
Install the torque converter-to-driveplate bolts with 23-lb. torque, using a torque wrench. Install the bolts for the torque converter access cover with a socket and ratchet.
Position the crossmember in place. Install the rear mount-to-crossmember and crossmember-to-frame bolts using a socket and ratchet.
Remove the jack from underneath the transmission.
Install the dipstick tube with a new O-ring. Tighten the bolts with a socket and ratchet.
Install the starter motor. Tighten the bolts with a socket and ratchet. Secure the wires to the clips. Connect the wires to the starter motor solenoid. Tighten the nuts with a socket and ratchet.
Install the vacuum hoses. Plug in all electrical connectors. Attach all the wire harness clips.
Snap the shift cable housing into the bracket. Press down on the clamp until it snaps into place.
Connect the air filter housing to the fresh air intake duct. Install the mounting bolts with a socket and ratchet. Install the clips. Attach the duct to the air filter housing cover. Tighten the clamp with a Phillips screwdriver.
Slide the front of the driveshaft into the transmission. Lift the rear of the driveshaft into position. Align the marks on the driveshaft and differential yoke.
Remove the tape from the bearing caps. Install the straps and bolts with the wrench. Install any exhaust system components that were removed.
Remove the bolts on the transmission pan with a socket and ratchet. Remove the pan. Install the transmission filter. Tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver.
Run a thin bead of RTV silicone along both sides of the new gasket. Install the pan. Tighten each bolt with a socket and ratchet a little at a time, working around the entire pan.
Raise the front of the Jeep with a jack. Remove the jackstands. Slowly lower the Jeep. Remove the jack.
Fill the transmission with 8 qt. of transmission fluid. Run the engine. Look for leaks.
Move the shifter into "Park." Press on the brake. Attempt to start the engine in each gear. Adjust the shift cable If the engine starts while the transmission is not in Park or Neutral.
Raise the front of the Jeep with a jack. Place jack stands underneath the Jeep. Pry the shift cable off of the shift lever with a small screwdriver. Pinch the housing tabs on the bracket together with a pair of pliers. Pull the shift cable and housing through the bracket.
Snap the shift cable housing into the bracket. Press down on the clamp until it snaps into place. Raise the Jeep off of the jack stands with a jack. Remove the jackstands. Slowly lower the Jeep.
Press on the brake. Try to start the engine in all gears. The engine should only start when the Jeep is in Park and Neutral.
