Transmission Installation

Special Tools Required 

• Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566
• Engine hanger balance bar VSB02C000019
• Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016

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

1. Install the vacuum line on the transmission.
   Fig 1: Installing Vacuum Line On Transmission

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
2. Install the torque converter assembly (A) on the mainshaft (B) with the new O-ring (C).
   Fig 2: Identifying Torque Converter Assembly (A), Mainshaft (B), O-Ring (C) And Dowel Pins (D, E)

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
3. Install the 14 x 20 mm dowel pin (D) and 10 x 20 mm dowel pin (E) in the torque converter housing.
4. Place the transmission on the jack, and raise the transmission to the engine level.
5. Attach the transmission to the engine, then install the rear transmission housing mounting bolts.
   Fig 3: Identifying Rear Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

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6. Install the upper and front transmission housing mounting bolts.
   Fig 4: Identifying Upper And Front Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

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7. Remove the jack from the transmission.
8. Install the front engine mount bracket with the new bolts, and install the harness clamp on the mount bracket.
   Fig 5: Installing Front Engine Mount Bracket And Bolts

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9. Install the engine-to-torque converter housing mounting bolts.
   Fig 6: Installing Engine-To-Torque Converter Housing Mounting Bolts

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10. Attach the torque converter to the drive plate (A) with eight bolts (B). Rotate the crankshaft pulley as necessary to tighten the bolts to 1/2 of the specified torque, then to the final torque, in a crisscross pattern. After tightening the last bolt, check that the crankshaft rotate freely.
11. Install the torque converter cover (C).
12. Install the new set ring (A) on the intermediate shaft (B).
    Fig 7: Installing Set Ring (A) On Intermediate Shaft (B)

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13. Install the exhaust manifold bracket (C) and heat shield (D).
14. Install the new set ring on the left driveshaft, then install the left driveshaft in the differential (see DRIVESHAFT INSTALLATION ). While installing the driveshaft in the differential, be sure not to allow dust or other foreign particles to enter the transmission. Install the left driveshaft over the intermediate shaft.
    NOTE:

    • Clean the areas where the driveshaft and intermediate shaft contact the transmission (differential) with solvent or carburetor cleaner, and dry with compressed air.
    • Turn the right and left steering knuckle fully outward, and slide the driveshaft and intermediate shaft into the differential and intermediate shaft until you feel its set ring engage the side gear.
15. Install the transmission lower front mount (A).
    Fig 8: Installing Transmission Lower Front Mount (A) And Lower Rear Mount (B)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Install the transmission lower rear mount (B) with the new bolts.
17. Support the front subframe (A) with the special tool and a jack, and lift it up to body.
    Fig 9: Supporting Front Subframe (A) With Special Tool And Jack

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
18. Loosely install the new subframe mounting bolts (A), and new rear stiffener mounting bolts (B), and the front stiffener mounting bolts (C).
    Fig 10: Identifying Subframe Mounting Bolts (A), Rear And Front Stiffener Mounting Bolts (B, C)

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19. Loosely install both of the new both subframe middle mount mounting bolts.
    Fig 11: Installing Subframe Middle Mount Mounting Bolts

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20. Align the reference marks (A) with edge (B) of both rear stiffeners (C), and tighten the rear subframe mounting bolts, then front bolts, and tighten the stiffener bolts to the specified torque.
    Fig 12: Aligning Reference Marks (A) With Edge (B) Of Both Rear Stiffeners (C)

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21. Tighten the subframe middle mount mounting bolts.
22. Install the new rear engine mount bracket bolts.
    Fig 13: Installing Rear Engine Mount Bracket Bolts

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23. Install the new transmission lower mount nuts.
    Fig 14: Installing Transmission Lower Mount Nuts

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24. Connect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 15: Connecting Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

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25. Connect the power steering hose to the power steering line.
    Fig 16: Connecting Power Steering Hose To Power Steering Line

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26. Install selector control lever (A) on the selector control shaft (B). Do not bend the shift cable excessively.
    Fig 17: Installing Selector Control Lever (A) On Selector Control Shaft (B)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
27. Install the lock bolt (C) with a new lock washer (D), then bend the lock washer tab against the bolt head.
28. Install the shift cable cover (E), then secure the shift cable holder (F) on the cover with the bolts.
    NOTE: To prevent damage to the control lever joint, be sure install the shift cable holder after installing the shift cable cover to the torque converter housing.
29. Install the steering gearbox heat shield (A).
    Fig 18: Installing Steering Gearbox Heat Shield (A)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
30. Install exhaust pipe A with the new self-locking nuts, its mount (B), and new gaskets (C) (D).
    Fig 19: Identifying Exhaust Pipe A, Mount (B) And Gaskets (C, D)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Install the damper forks (A) with damper pinch bolts (B) and the new self-locking nuts (C), then install the ball joints on the lower arms (D) with the ball joint nuts (E) and new cotter pins (F) (see step 18 on WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT ).
    Fig 20: Installing Damper Forks (A) With Damper Pinch Bolts (B)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. Install the tie-rod end ball joints (G) to each knuckle with the nuts (H) and new cotter pins (I) (see step 18 on WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT ).
33. Install the stabilizer links (J) to the lower arms, and install the nuts (K). Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench (L) in the ball joint (M), and tighten the nuts.
34. Install the new front engine mount bolt (A).
    Fig 21: Identifying Front Engine Mount Bolt (A) And Front Engine Mount Stop (B)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
35. Install the front engine mount stop (B).
36. Remove the engine hanger and engine balancer bar.
37. Install the harness clamp bracket to the engine rear cylinder head.
    Fig 22: Installing Harness Clamp Bracket To Engine Rear Cylinder Head

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38. Install the connector bracket to the engine front cylinder head.
    Fig 23: Installing Connector Bracket To Engine Front Cylinder Head

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39. Install the ATF warmer (A) with new O-rings (B) and the bracket (C) on the transmission housing. Do not pinch the O-rings.
    Fig 24: Identifying ATF Warmer (A), O-Rings (B), Bracket (C), Ground Cable (D) And Breather Tube (E)

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40. Install the transmission ground cable (D), and connect the breather tube (E).
41. Install the harness clamp bracket (A), and install the harness cover (B) on the bracket (C).
    Fig 25: Identifying Harness Clamp Bracket (A), Harness Cover (B), Bracket (C) And Harness Clamps (D)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Install the harness clamps (D) on the clamp brackets.
43. Connect the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (A), and install the harness clamps (B) on the brackets. Connect the vacuum hose (C) to the vacuum line (D).
    Fig 26: Identifying Speed Sensor Connector (A), Harness Clamps (B), Vacuum Hose (C), Vacuum Line (D), Switch Connector (E) And Bracket (F)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
44. Connect the transmission range switch connector (E), then install it on its bracket (F).
45. Connect the connectors to the torque converter clutch solenoid valve (A) and shift solenoid valve B.
    Fig 27: Identifying Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Valve (A) And Shift Solenoid Valve B

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46. Connect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector, and solenoid valve B connector, and install the harness clamp (C) on the clamp bracket (D).
    Fig 28: Identifying A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valves (A, B), Harness Clamp (C) And Clamp Bracket (D)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
47. Connect shift solenoid valve A connector, solenoid valve C connector, and A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C connector (B), and install the harness clamps (D) on the clamp brackets (E).
    Fig 29: Identifying Shift Solenoid Valves (A, C), A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve (B), Harness Clamps (D) And Clamp Brackets (E)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
48. Connect the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (A) and 4th clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (B), and connect the vacuum hose (C) to the vacuum line (D).
    Fig 30: Identifying Speed Sensor Connector (A), Fluid Pressure Switch Connector (B), Vacuum Hose (C), Vacuum Line (D), Subharness Connector (E) And Bracket (F)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
49. Connect the transmission subharness connector (E), then install it on its bracket (F).
50. Install the transmission upper mount bracket (A) on the transmission with two bolts.
    Fig 31: Identifying Transmission Upper Mount Bracket (A) And Bracket Plate (B)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
51. Install the new upper mount bolt and bracket plate (B).
52. Install the starter (A) on the torque converter housing. Connect the starter cables (B) to the starter, and install the harness clamp on the clamp bracket.
    Fig 32: Identifying Starter (A) And Starter Cables (B)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
53. Insert the power steering pump outlet line (A) with a new O-ring (B) to the pump (C), and install the hose (D) in its clamp (E).
    Fig 33: Identifying Steering Pump Outlet Line (A), O-Ring (B), Pump (C), Hose (D) And Clamp (E)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
54. Refill the power steering fluid reservoir with fluid to the upper level line.
55. Install the strut brace (A).
    Fig 34: Identifying Strut Brace (A) And Harness Clamp (B)

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56. Install the two 6.0 mm bolts, and install the harness clamp (B) on its clamp bracket.
57. Refill the transmission with ATF (see step  5 ).
58. Install the battery base, and install the resonator and resonator cover.
59. Install the air cleaner housing and air intake duct.
60. Install the battery tray and battery, then secure the battery with its hold-down bracket.
61. Connect the steering joint to the steering gearbox pinion shaft (A) by aligning the reference mark (B), and remove the wire (C) from the joint yoke (D).
    Fig 35: Identifying Steering Gearbox Pinion Shaft (A), Reference Mark (B), Wire (C), Joint Yoke (D) And Steering Joint Cover (E)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
62. Install the steering joint cover (E).
63. Remove the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL ).
64. Center the cable reel and reinstall the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION ).
65. Clean the battery posts and cable terminals with sandpaper, then assemble them and apply grease to prevent corrosion.
66. Install the splash shield.
    Fig 36: Installing Splash Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
67. Install the engine under cover.
    Fig 37: Installing Engine Under Cover

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68. Install the covers in the order presented; intake manifold cover (A), front bulkhead cover (B), left fender trim (C), right rear engine compartment cover (D), right side engine compartment cover (E), right fender trim (F), left rear engine compartment cover (G), and left side engine compartment cover (H).
    Fig 38: Identifying Cover Installation Sequence

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69. Reinstall the hood support struts to the proper locations on both sides of the hood.
70. Set the parking brake. Start the engine, and shift the transmission through all gears three times.
71. Start the engine, and run it fast idle, then turn the steering wheel from lock-to-lock several times to bleed air from the system.
72. Recheck the fluid level, and refill if necessary.
73. Check the shift lever operation, A/T gear position indicator operation, and shift cable adjustment.
74. Check and adjust the front wheel alignment (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).
75. Start the engine in the P or N position, and warm it up to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on).
76. Turn off the engine, and check the ATF level (see ATF LEVEL CHECK ).
77. Perform the road test (see ROAD TEST ).
78. Enter the anti-theft codes for the radio and navigation system, then enter the audio presets, and set the clock.