Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine hanger support bar 07AAK-S3VA000
• Engine hanger balance bar VSB02C00019
• Engine hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566
• Front subframe adapter EQS02BMDXSB0

These tools are available through the Acura Tool and Equipment Program 1-888-424-6857.

1. Drain the power steering system fluid from the reservoir (see FLUID REPLACEMENT ).
2. Remove the center console lower panel (driver side), and pull the carpet to expose the steering joint cover.
3. Remove the steering joint cover (A).
   Fig 1: Removing Steering Joint Cover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
4. Make a reference mark (B) across the steering joint (C) and steering gearbox pinion shaft (D). Remove the steering joint bolt (E), and disconnect the steering joint from the steering gearbox pinion shaft.
5. Get the audio and navigation anti-theft codes, and write down the audio presets.
6. Raise the vehicle, and make sure it is securely supported. Remove the splash shield.
7. Remove the support struts at the ball joints on both sides hood. Secure the hood in a vertical position with reinstalling the strut ball joint and bracket.
   Fig 2: Removing Support Struts At Ball Joints On Both Sides Hood

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Disconnect the battery negative terminal, then disconnect the battery positive terminal.
9. Remove the intake air duct and engine covers.
10. Remove the battery hold-down bracket, then remove the battery cover, battery, and battery tray.
11. Remove the four bolt securing the battery base in the engine compartment, then remove the battery base.
12. Remove the power steering pump outlet hose (A) at the pump (B), and remove the hose clamp bolt (C).
    Fig 3: Removing Power Steering Pump Outlet Hose At Pump

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
13. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
    Fig 4: Removing Drain Plug

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14. Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B).
15. Remove the transmission breather tube (A) from the breather pipe (B) at the transmission housing.
    Fig 5: Removing Transmission Breather Tube From Breather Pipe At Transmission Housing

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Disconnect the solenoid harness connector (A), and remove the harness clamp (B) from the clamp bracket (C).
    Fig 6: Removing Harness Clamp From Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Remove the starter cables (D) from the starter, and remove the harness clamps (E) from the clamp bracket.
18. Remove the nuts securing the shift cable bracket (A).
    Fig 7: Disconnecting Shift Cable End From Control Lever

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Remove the spring clip/washer (B) from the control lever (C), and disconnect the shift cable end (D) from the control lever.
20. Remove the bolts securing the harness cover (A).
    Fig 8: Removing Bolts Securing Harness Cover (A)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
21. Disconnect A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector, B connector, C connector, and 4th clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (D).
    Fig 9: Disconnecting A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve A Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
22. Remove the transmission ground cable (A).
    Fig 10: Removing Transmission Ground Cable

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
23. Disconnect the transmission range switch connector (B), and remove the harness clamp (C) from the clamp bracket (D).
24. Remove the ATF cooler hoses (A) from the ATF cooler lines (B). Turn the ends of the cooler hoses up to prevent ATF from flowing out, then plug the cooler hoses and lines.
    Fig 11: Removing ATF Cooler Hoses From ATF Cooler Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Check for any signs of leakage at the hose joints.
26. Disconnect the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (A), output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (B), 3rd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (C), and ATF temperature sensor connector (D).
    Fig 12: Disconnecting Input Shaft (Mainshaft) Speed Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
27. Remove the upper transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 13: Removing Upper Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
28. Remove the front mount nut.
    Fig 14: Removing Front Mount Nut

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Remove the connector bracket from the engine front cylinder head; use the bracket bolt to attach engine balancer bar front arm.
    Fig 15: Removing Connector Bracket From Engine Front Cylinder Head

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
30. Remove the harness clamp bracket from the engine rear cylinder head; use the bracket bolt to attach engine balancer bar rear arm.
    Fig 16: Removing Harness Clamp Bracket From Engine Rear Cylinder Head

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Lift and support the engine with engine hanger (A) and engine balancer bar (B).

    Attach the front arm (C) to the front cylinder head with a spacer (D) and the connector bracket bolt (10 x 1.25 mm) (E). Attach the rear arm (F) to the rear cylinder head with the harness clamp bracket bolt (8 x 1.25 mm) (G).

    Fig 17: Lifting And Support Engine With Engine Hanger And Engine Balancer Bar

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. Remove the front subframe stiffener.
    Fig 18: Removing Front Subframe Stiffener

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Remove exhaust pipe A.
    Fig 19: Removing Exhaust Pipe A

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Remove the spring clips (A) and castle nuts (B), and separate the lower arms (C) from the knuckles (D) (see step 13 ).
    Fig 20: Separating Lower Arms From Knuckles

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
35. Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench (E) in the top of the ball joint pin (F), and remove the nut (G), then separate the stabilizer link (H).
36. Remove the cotter pins (I) and nuts (J), and separate the tie-rod end ball joints (K) from the knuckles (see step 11 ).
37. Pry the left driveshaft out of the differential and the right driveshaft from the intermediate shaft (see step 10 on LEFT DRIVESHAFT ).
38. Remove the bolt securing the transfer breather tube bracket (A), and disconnect the breather tube (B) from the breather pipe (C) on the transfer assembly.
    Fig 21: Disconnecting Breather Tube From Breather Pipe On Transfer Assembly

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
39. Make a reference mark (A) across the propeller shaft (B) and the transfer companion flange (C).
    Fig 22: Marking Reference Mark Across Propeller Shaft And Transfer Companion Flange

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
40. Separate the propeller shaft from the transfer assembly.
41. Remove the transfer assembly from the transmission.
    Fig 23: Removing Transfer Assembly From Transmission

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Remove the torque converter cover (A), then remove the eight drive plate bolts (B) one at a time while rotating the crankshaft pulley.
    Fig 24: Removing Torque Converter Cover

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
43. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 25: Disconnecting Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
44. Remove the power steering hose clamp (A), then disconnect the hose (B) from the line (C) at the right front of the subframe (D).
    Fig 26: Disconnecting Hose From Line At Right Front Of Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
45. Disconnect the vacuum tube (A) from the vacuum line (B) at the front mount.
    Fig 27: Disconnecting Vacuum Tube From Vacuum Line At Front Mount

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
46. Remove the transmission lower mount nuts (four).
    Fig 28: Removing Transmission Lower Mount Nuts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
47. Make reference marks (A) on the body across the marks (B) on the edge of the front subframe (C).
    Fig 29: Marking Reference Marks On Body Across Marks On Edge Of Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
48. Remove the rear mount bracket bolts (three).
    Fig 30: Removing Rear Mount Bracket Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
49. Loosen the four bolts (A) holding the adjustable arms (B) of the front subframe adapter (T/N EQS02 BMDXB0) to its center plate.
    NOTE: The adapter is designed to be used the Acura transmission jack (model number LSL-W 93714) or powertrain lift (model number OTC-1585), both available through the Acura Tool and Equipment Program. It will also work with most commercially available transmission jack.
    Fig 31: Identifying Front Subframe Adapter

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
50. Line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then attach the adapter to the jack base with the bolts (A) that came with the jack. Tighten all bolts securely.
    Fig 32: Attaching Adapter To Jack Base

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
51. Raise the jack to vehicle height, then attach the adapter to the front subframe using the subframe stiffener mounting bolts (B) and bolt holes.
52. Remove the 12 x 1.25 mm bolts (six) (A) securing the subframe stiffeners (B), the four front subframe mounting bolts (C), and the stiffeners, then lower the front subframe (D).
    Fig 33: Attaching Adapter To Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
53. Remove the transmission lower mounts.
    Fig 34: Removing Transmission Lower Mounts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
54. Remove the driveshaft from the differential and the intermediate shaft. Coat all precision finished surfaces with clean engine oil, then tie the plastic bags over the driveshaft ends.
    Fig 35: Tying Plastic Bags Over Driveshaft Ends

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
55. Move the left driveshaft to the front side.
56. Remove the heat shield (A), then remove the intermediate shaft (B).
    Fig 36: Removing Intermediate Shaft

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
57. Coat all precision finished surfaces with clean engine oil, then tie plastic bags over both ends of the intermediate shaft.
58. Remove the front mount bracket (A).
    Fig 37: Removing Front Mount Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
59. Remove the sensor harness from the harness clamps (B).
60. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolt (C) using a socket 22 mm in length.
61. Remove the rear transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 38: Removing Rear Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
62. Remove the lower transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 39: Removing Lower Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
63. Lower the transmission, and tilt the engine just enough for the transmission to clear its end cover from the side frame.
64. Place a jack under the transmission.
65. Pull the transmission away from the engine until it clears the dowel pins, then lower it on the jack.
66. Remove the starter from the transmission.
    Fig 40: Removing Starter From Transmission

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
67. Remove the torque converter assembly from the transmission.
    Fig 41: Removing Torque Converter Assembly From Transmission

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
68. Remove the clamp bracket.
    Fig 42: Removing Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
69. Inspect the drive plate, and replace if it's damaged.