Your transmission is shot and you feel confident that you can tackle this fairly major repair in your own garage. ChrisFix put together this awesome video to help you stay on track and to break it down into a less imposing list of tasks. Sit down, take some notes, and learn how to replace a transmission.
What tools are needed to replace a transmission?
- Socket wrench, sockets, extensions, and a universal-joint extension
- A set of standard and metric wrenches and ratcheting wrenches
- Torque wrench
- Breaker Bar and pry bar
- Jack and jack stands
- Drain pan, funnel, and transmission fluid
- Transmission jack
- Muscle!
Now that you have all the tools you need lined up, make sure to keep this cheat sheet on your phone for easy reference while you work your way through this project. We have highlighted the most important steps in the following article. Rewind the video to review some of the tips by ChrisFix and to see where the next part is located.
Dropping the Transmission in 10 Steps
#1. Safely Jack the Car up
Remember to jack the car high enough off the ground — about two feet — so the transmission can actually drop down out of the car. Jack stands are one of ChrisFix’s favorite tools for the home mechanic. Line up the stand jacks so that the transmission will not bump into them when coming down.
#2. Remove Negative Battery Cable
It is the black cable. Fully remove it from the battery and stow it so it cannot touch the terminal if the car gets bumped.
#3. Remove Shifter
Unscrew the knob, remove trim, remove the lever, and then unscrew the boot trim bolts and remove it. Unbolt the shifter plate and remove it.
#4. Remove Exhaust
Disconnect oxygen sensors in the front and behind the catalytic converter. Unbolt the pipes in the front and the back. Remove from the car and set aside.
#5. Drain Transmission Fluid
Locate the drain plug on the side of the transmission. Place drain pan under the plug. Remove the plug and let drain. Put the plug back now, so you don’t lose it.
#6. Disconnect Driveshaft
Turn the driveshaft so you can more easily reach the bolts. Engage the parking brake. Remove the bolts that connect the driveshaft to the differential. Once they are out, release the brake, turn the driveshaft, set the brake, and remove the other bolts. Let it drop and slide the other end out of the transmission. Set to the side with the exhaust.
#7. Remove Starter
Unbolt the starter. You do not have to disconnect the wiring harness unless it gets in your way. Let the starter dangle, or secure it out of the way while you work.
#8. Remove Wiring Harness
Unplug the connectors. Pry out any snap connectors and remove the speed sensor and any other plugs included in the wiring bundle. Pull aside and secure out of your way.
#9. Unbolt Transmission Mount
Take out the clutch cable. Support the transmission body using the transmission jack and strap it down. Remove the two large bolts that connect the transmission mount to either side of the car’s frame.
#10. Unbolt and Remove the Transmission
You are finally ready to disconnect the transmission from the engine. There may be nine or more bolts all around the transmission. Remove as many as possible. In order to access the top bolts, lower the transmission jack a little and use a long extension socket wrench to reach the last bolts.
OR use a long ratcheting wrench and reach the last bolts going down through the top of the engine compartment against the firewall.
Spray some water inside the bell housing to limit the amount of loose dust. Jack up the engine to prevent it from falling. Pull the transmission backward, away from the engine. You may need to wiggle it and use a pry bar to free the connection.
Installing the New Transmission
#1. Transfer the Transmission Mount and Sensors
Pull any needed parts off the old transmission and install on the new transmission. Use thread locker to prevent bolts from loosening while riding down the road.
#2. Remove Support Bar Under the Engine
This bar may impede your ability to properly line up the transmission with the engine. Just remember to put it back!
#3. Line up Transmission with the Engine
Use the transmission jack to roll it into place. Jack it up so the input shaft directly lines up with the pilot hole, pressure plate, and clutch. You may need to drop the engine just a bit to get it to slide in without resistance. There should be no gap. Once everything is bolted together, you can jack the engine back in place.
#4. Replace all the Transmission Bolts
Use thread locker and finger tighten them into place. Then torque them as specified in the instructions. Torque them using a crisscross pattern to ensure the transmission stays straight.
#5. Follow the First Checklist Backward
Starting with the transmission mount, work your way back up the list. Make sure to clean off the end of the driveshaft before you put that back in the transmission.
To fill the transmission with fluid, you can use the filler hole on top of the transmission. Your other option is to fill it through the shifter hole, since you have your shifter lever removed in the cabin.
Check your owner’s manual for the correct type and amount of fluid needed to fill it up.
Remember to reconnect the O2 sensors in the exhaust while you are bolting it back in place.
After you get the shifter knob back into place, there is one more thing to do — reconnect the negative wire to the battery. Once you get the car off the jack stands, you are ready to take it out for a test drive.
Will You Need to Replace the Transmission on That Next Used Car?
Unless you run a repair shop, you don’t want to be replacing a transmission every time you buy a new-to-you car. Make sure that the one you are looking at has been properly cared for by visiting VehicleHistory.com.
All you need is the VIN of your potential new car and you can download its complete maintenance history with a single click.
