Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T1256
• 2008 V6 Attachment arm SIL02C00033
• Engine hanger balancer bar VSB02C000019
• Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016

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

1. Remove the covers in the following order; battery trim (A), upper grille cover (B), right upper fender trim (C), left upper fender trim (D), cowl cover upper trim (E), and intake manifold cover (F).
   Fig 1: Locating Upper Grille Cover, Upper Fender Trim, Cowl Cover Upper Trim And Intake Manifold Cover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
2. Remove the passenger's side windshield wiper arm (see WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT ).
3. Disconnect the support strut from the pivot ball on both sides (bolted to the hood). Raise and secure the hood in a vertical position. Remove the right side pivot ball and install it into the lower threaded hole, then reattach the support strut.
   NOTE: Do not attempt to close the hood with the support strut in the vertical position; it will damage the support strut and the hood.
   Fig 2: Raising Hood In Vertical Position

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
4. Set the wheels in the straight ahead position, and lock the steering wheel.
5. Drain the power steering system fluid from the reservoir (see FLUID CHECK/REPLACEMENT ).
6. Do the battery removal procedure (see BATTERY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
7. Remove the air cleaner (see THROTTLE BODY CLEANING ).
8. Remove the battery base.
9. Raise the vehicle on a lift, and make sure it is supported securely.
10. Remove the wheels.
11. Remove the splash shield.
12. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
    Fig 3: Locating Drain Plug With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
13. Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B).
14. Remove the bolts (A) securing the under-hood fuse/relay box.
    Fig 4: Locating Bolts, Nuts And Strut Brace

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
15. Remove the bolts (B) and nuts (C) securing the strut brace (D).
16. Remove the breather tube end (E) and vacuum hose (F), then remove the strut brace.
17. Disconnect the steering joint (see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
18. Remove the power steering pump outlet line (A) from the power steering pump, and remove the bolt (B) securing the hose clamp bracket (C).
    Fig 5: Identifying Power Steering Pump Outlet Line, Bolt And Hose Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 6: Identifying Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Remove the starter cables (A) from the starter, and remove the harness clamp (B) from the clamp bracket (C).
    Fig 7: Identifying Starter Cables, Harness Clamp And Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
21. Remove the bolt securing the radiator hose clamp (D).
22. Disconnect the vacuum hose (E) from the vacuum line (F), and remove the vacuum line bolt (G).
23. Remove the starter and gasket from the transmission.
    Fig 8: Identifying Starter And Gasket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
24. Remove the nuts securing the shift cable bracket (A).
    Fig 9: Identifying Spring Clip/Washer, Control Pin And Shift Cable End

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Remove the spring clip/washer (B) and control pin (C), then separate the shift cable end (D) from the control lever (E).
26. Check the bushing (F) in the shift cable end for a proper fit and wear. If the bushing is loose or worn, replace the shift cable (see )SHIFT CABLE REPLACEMENT .
27. Disconnect A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector, A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve B connector, 4th clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (C), and shift solenoid harness connector (D).
    Fig 10: Identifying 4th Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector And Shift Solenoid Harness Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
28. Remove the harness cover mounting bolt (E), and remove the harness cover (F) from its bracket (G).
29. Remove the harness cover mounting bolt (A), and remove the harness clamps (B) from the clamp brackets (C). Remove the harness clamp bracket (D).
    Fig 11: Identifying Harness Cover Mounting Bolt, Harness Clamps, Clamp Brackets And Harness Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
30. Disconnect A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C connector (E).
31. Disconnect the transmission range switch connector (A) and input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (B).
    Fig 12: Identifying Transmission Range Switch Connector And Input Shaft (Mainshaft) Speed Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. Remove the transmission ground cable (C).
33. Disconnect the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (A), 3rd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (B), and ATF temperature sensor connector (C), and remove the harness clamp (D) from the clamp bracket (E).
    Fig 13: Locating Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor Connector, 3rd Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector And ATF Temperature Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Disconnect the 2nd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (A), and remove the vacuum line bolt(B).
    Fig 14: Locating 2nd Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector And Vacuum Line Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
35. 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 15: Locating ATF Cooler Hoses And ATF Cooler Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Check for any signs of leakage at the hose joints.
37. Remove the connector bracket from the front cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach engine hanger balancer bar front arm.
    Fig 16: Identifying Connector Bracket And Front Cylinder Head

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
38. Disconnect the solenoid connector, disconnect the vacuum tube from the joint, then remove the bracket from the rear cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach the 2008 V6 attachment arm (SIL02C000033).
    Fig 17: Identifying Solenoid Connector And Vacuum Tube

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
39. Install the engine balancer bar (VSB02C000019); attach the front arm (A) to the front cylinder head with some spacers (B) and the 10 x 1.25 mm bolt (C). Attach the 2008 V6 attachment arm (SIL02C000033) to the rear cylinder head and the 8 x 1.25 mm bolt (D), then attach the rear arm (E) to the 2008 V6 attachment arm.
    Fig 18: Identifying Front Arm And Front Cylinder Head With Spacers

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
40. Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T1256) to the vehicle, and attach the hook to the engine balancer bar slot. Tighten the wing nut (E) by hand, and lift and support the engine.
41. Remove the front mount stop (A) and front mount bolt (B).
    Fig 19: Locating Front Mount Stop And Front Mount Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Remove exhaust pipe A.
    Fig 20: Locating Exhaust Pipe A

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
43. Make a reference mark (A) across the propeller shaft (B) and the transfer companion flange (C).
    Fig 21: Identifying Reference Mark Across Propeller Shaft And Transfer Companion Flange

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
44. Separate the propeller shaft from the transfer companion flange.
45. Remove the propeller shaft (see PROPELLER SHAFT REMOVAL ).
46. Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench (A) in the top of the ball joint pin (B), and remove the nuts (C), then separate the stabilizer link (D) from the lower arms (E).
    Fig 22: Inserting 6 mm Allen Wrench In Top Of Ball Joint Pin

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
47. Remove the damper pinch bolts (F), damper fork bolts and self-locking nuts, knuckle holder bolts (G) and nuts (H). Remove the damper forks (I).
48. Remove the cotter pins (J) and nuts (K), and separate the steering tie-rod end ball joints (L) from the knuckle (see STEERING GEARBOX REMOVAL ).
49. 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 23: Locating Bolt Securing Transfer Breather Tube Bracket And Breather Tube

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
50. Remove the transfer assembly from the transmission.
    Fig 24: Identifying Transfer Assembly

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
51. Remove the steering gearbox heat shield.
    Fig 25: Identifying Steering Gearbox Heat Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
52. Loosen the hose clamp bolt, then disconnect the power steering fluid hose (A) from the line at the right front of the subframe.
    Fig 26: Locating Power Steering Fluid Hose And ATF Cooler Hose

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
53. Remove the ATF cooler hose (B) from the ATF cooler. Turn the end of the cooler hose up to prevent ATF from flowing out, then plug the hose.
54. Remove the torque converter cover (A), and remove the drive plate bolts (B) (8) while rotating the crankshaft pulley.
    Fig 27: Locating Torque Converter Cover And Drive Plate Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
55. Remove the transmission lower mount bolts.
    Fig 28: Identifying Transmission Lower Mount Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
56. Disconnect the power steering angle sensor connector.
    Fig 29: Identifying Power Steering Angle Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
57. Remove the shift cable bracket on the steering gearbox stiffener.
    Fig 30: Identifying Shift Cable Bracket On Steering Gearbox Stiffener

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
58. Remove the rear mount stop (A), and remove the rear mount bolt (B).
    Fig 31: Locating Rear Mount Stop And Rear Mount Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
59. Attach the front subframe adapter (VSB02C000016) to the subframe by looping the belt over the front of the subframe, then secure the belt with its stop.
    Fig 32: Attaching Front Subframe Adapter (VSB02C000016) To Subframe By Looping Belt Over Front Of Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
60. Raise the jack and line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then attach them with bolts.
61. Remove the four bolts securing the stiffeners (A) and the four bolts securing the front subframe (B), and lower the front subframe.
    Fig 33: Locating Bolts Securing Stiffeners And Bolts Securing Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
62. Remove the transmission lower mount.
    Fig 34: Identifying Transmission Lower Mount

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
63. Pry out the driveshafts from the differential and the intermediate shaft.
    Fig 35: Identifying Driveshafts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
64. Remove the exhaust manifold bracket and heat shield.
    Fig 36: Identifying Exhaust Manifold Bracket And Heat Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
65. Remove the intermediate shaft.
66. Coat all precision finished surfaces with clean engine oil, then the plastic bags over driveshaft ends and intermediate shaft ends.
67. Remove the upper transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 37: Identifying Upper Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
68. Remove the front mount bracket (A).
    Fig 38: Locating Front Mount Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
69. Remove the front transmission housing mounting bolt (B) using a socket 22 mm long.
70. Remove the rear transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 39: Identifying Rear Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
71. Lower the transmission by loosening the wing nut of the engine support hanger, and tilt the engine just enough for the transmission end to clear the side frame.
72. Place a jack under the transmission.
73. Remove the lower transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 40: Identifying Lower Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
74. Slide the transmission away from the engine to remove it from the vehicle.
75. Remove the torque converter and dowel pins.
    Fig 41: Identifying Torque Converter And Dowel Pins

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
76. Remove the clamp bracket from the transmission.
    Fig 42: Identifying Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
77. Remove the harness clamp bracket from the transmission.
    Fig 43: Identifying Harness Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
78. Inspect the drive plate, and replace if it's damaged (see )DRIVE PLATE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .