Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine Support Hanger, A and Reds AAR-T1256*
• 2008 V6 Attachment Arm SIL02C000033*
• Engine Hanger Balance Bar VSB02C000019*
• Subframe Adapter VSB02C000016*

*: Available through the Acura Tool and Equipment Program 888-424-6857.

1. Remove the engine compartment covers (see ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER REPLACEMENT ).
2. 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 passenger's 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 1: Installing Pivot Ball Into Lower Threaded Hole And Reattach Support Strut

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
3. Do the battery removal procedure (see BATTERY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
4. Remove the air cleaner (see THROTTLE BODY CLEANING ).
5. Remove the strut brace (see FRAME BRACE REPLACEMENT ).
6. Remove the steering joint cover (A).
   Fig 2: Identifying Steering Joint Cover, Upper And Lower Steering Joint Bolt

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
7. Loosen the upper steering joint bolt (B) and the lower steering bolt (C).
8. Center the steering wheel spokes, and install a commercially available steering wheel holder tool (A).
   Fig 3: Holding Steering Wheel Using Holder Tool

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
9. Remove the lower steering joint bolt (A). Disconnect the steering joint (B) by sliding the steering joint into the column shaft (C). Tighten the upper steering joint bolt (D) to hold the steering joint in place.
   NOTE: Do not disconnect the steering joint from the column shaft.
   Fig 4: Identifying Lower Steering Joint Bolt, Steering Joint, Column Shaft And Upper Steering Joint Bolt

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
10. Remove the center guide (A) (if equipped) from the top of the pinion shaft (B), and discard it.
    Fig 5: Identifying Center Guide And Pinion Shaft

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
11. Wrap vinyl tape over the splines on the pinion shaft.
12. Remove the ATF dipstick, then remove the starter (see STARTER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
13. Remove the bolt (A) securing the harness cover (B), and remove the harness clamp (C).
    Fig 6: Identifying Bolt, Harness Cover, Clamp And Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
14. Remove the clamp bracket (D).
15. Remove the harness clamp (A), and remove the clamp bracket (B).
    Fig 7: Identifying Harness Clamp And Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Remove the spring clip (A) and the control pin (B), then separate the shift cable end (C) from the selector control lever (D).
    Fig 8: Identifying Spring Clip, Control Pin, Shift Cable End And Selector Control Lever

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Check the bushing (E) in the shift cable end for proper fit and wear. If the bushing is loose or worn, replace the shift cable (see SHIFT CABLE REPLACEMENT  ).
18. Remove the nuts (A) securing the shift cable bracket (B).
    Fig 9: Identifying Nuts And Shift Cable Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Disconnect these connectors:
    • Shift solenoid valve A connector (A)
    • Shift solenoid valve B connector (B)
    • Shift solenoid valve C connector (C)
    • Line pressure solenoid valve A connector (D)
      Fig 10: Identifying Shift Solenoid Valve A, B And C Connector And Line Pressure Solenoid Valve A Connector

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Remove the harness clamps (E).
21. Disconnect these connectors:
    • A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector (A)
    • A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve B connector (B)
    • A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C connector (C)
    • A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve D connector (D)
    • Transmission fluid pressure switch B (3rd clutch) connector (E)
    • Transmission fluid pressure switch E (6th clutch) connector (F)
    • Line pressure switch connector (G)
    • Transmission range switch connector (H)
      Fig 11: Identifying Different Connectors, Bolts, Harness Cover And Harness Clamp

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
22. Remove the bolt (I) securing the harness cover (J), and remove the harness clamp (K).
23. Remove the harness cover bracket (A).
    Fig 12: Identifying Cover Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
24. Disconnect the transmission fluid pressure switch A (2nd clutch) connector (A) and the transmission fluid pressure switch D (5th clutch) connector (B).
    Fig 13: Identifying Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch A Connector And Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch D Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Remove the bolt (A) securing the connector bracket (B) from the front cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole (C) to attach the engine hanger balance bar front arm.
    Fig 14: Identifying Bolt, Connector Bracket And Bracket Bolt Hole

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
26. Remove the harness clamp (A), then remove the bolt (B) securing the engine mount control solenoid valve bracket (C) from the rear cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole (D) to attach the 2008 V6 attachment arm.
    Fig 15: Identifying Harness Clamp, Bolt, Vacuum Hose And Control Solenoid Valve Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
27. Disconnect the vacuum hose (E).
28. Install the engine hanger balance bar (VSB02C000019). Attach the front arm (A) to the front cylinder head with a 10 mm (0.39 in) spacer (B) and a 10 x 1.25 mm bolt (C). Remove the rear arm from the engine hanger balance bar, then install the 2008 V6 attachment arm (SIL02C000033). Attach the 2008 V6 attachment arm to the rear cylinder head with a 10 mm (0.39 in) spacer (D) and an 8 x 1.25 mm bolt (E).
    Fig 16: Identifying Front Arm, Spacer And Bolt Of Engine Hanger Balance Bar

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T1256) onto the vehicle as shown, and attach the hook to the slotted hole in the engine hanger balance bar. Tighten the wing nut (F) by hand, and lift and support the transmission.
    NOTE:

    • Be careful when working around the windshield.
    • AAR-T1256 two sets required for stacking two cross section bars.
30. Remove the upper transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 17: Removing Upper Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Remove the upper transmission mount bracket bolts (A) (B), and remove the bolt (C) securing the clamp bracket.
    NOTE: Do not remove the bolt (D) from the upper transmission mount. If the bolt is removed, the upper transmission mount must be replaced as an assembly.
    Fig 18: Identifying Bracket Bolts And Transmission Assembly Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. Remove the vacuum hose (A) from the vacuum pipe (B), and remove the vacuum pipe from its clamp (C).
    Fig 19: Identifying Vacuum Hose, Vacuum Pipe, Front Engine Mount Bolt, Clamp Bracket And Clamp

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Remove the front engine mount stop (D) and the clamp bracket (E), and remove the front engine mount bolt (F).
34. Remove the rear engine mount stop (A) and the heat shield (B), and remove the rear engine mount bolt (C).
    Fig 20: Identifying Rear Engine Mount Stop, Heat Shield And Rear Engine Mount Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
35. Disconnect the EPS connectors (A) and remove the harness clamps (B).
    Fig 21: Identifying EPS Connectors And Harness Clamps

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Raise the vehicle on a lift, and make sure it is securely supported.
37. Remove the front wheels.
38. Remove the front splash shield (see FRONT SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
39. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the ATF.
    Fig 22: Drain Plug And Sealing Washer With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
40. Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B).
41. Disconnect the ATF temperature sensor connector (A), then remove the harness clamp (B).
    Fig 23: Identifying ATF Temperature Sensor Connector And Harness Clamp

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Disconnect the transmission fluid pressure switch C (4th clutch) connector (A), then remove the harness clamp (B).
    Fig 24: Identifying Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch C (4th Clutch) Connector And Harness Clamp

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
43. Disconnect the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (A) and the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (B), then remove the harness clamps (C).
    Fig 25: Identifying Input And Output Shaft Speed Sensor Connectors And Harness Clamps

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
44. 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 the lines.
    Fig 26: Identifying ATF Cooler Hoses And Cooler Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
45. 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 the lines.
    Fig 27: Identifying ATF Cooler Hoses And Cooler Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
46. Remove the front subframe stiffener.
    Fig 28: Removing Front Subframe Stiffener

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
47. Remove exhaust pipe A and the under-floor three way catalytic converter (TWC):
    • With SH-AWD (see J37A4 ENGINE (WITH SH-AWD) ).
    • Without SH-AWD (see EXHAUST PIPE AND MUFFLER REPLACEMENT ).
48. With SH-AWD: Remove the propeller shaft (see PROPELLER SHAFT REMOVAL ).
49. With SH-AWD: Disconnect the breather hose (A) from the breather pipe (B) on the transfer assembly, and remove the breather hose from the clamp (C).
    Fig 29: Identifying Breather Hose, Breather Pipe And Clamp

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
50. With SH-AWD: Remove the transfer assembly from the transmission.
    Fig 30: Removing Transfer Assembly From Transmission

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
51. Remove the cotter pins (A) and the nuts (B), and separate the tie-rod end ball joints (C) from the knuckles (see KNUCKLE/HUB/WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT ).
    Fig 31: Identifying Cotter Pins, Nuts, Tie-Rod End Ball Joints, Damper Fork Mounting Bolts And Nuts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
52. Remove the damper fork mounting bolts (D) and nuts (E).
53. Remove the cotter pins (F) and the castle nuts (G), and separate the lower arms (H) from the knuckles (see LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
54. Remove the left side driveshaft from the differential and the right side driveshaft from the intermediate shaft. Coat all precision machined surfaces with clean engine oil, then put plastic bags over the driveshaft ends. Support the driveshafts on both sides with nylon straps.
    NOTE: Plug the left side driveshaft hole to prevent dirt and solvent from entering the transmission.
    Fig 32: Identifying Driveshafts With Nylon Straps

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
55. Remove the torque converter cover (A), and remove the drive plate bolts (B) (8) while rotating the crankshaft pulley.
    Fig 33: Identifying Torque Converter Cover And Drive Plate Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
56. Remove the lower transmission mount bolts (A) and the transmission ground terminal bracket (B).
    Fig 34: Identifying Lower Transmission Mount Bolts And Transmission Ground Terminal Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
57. Loosen both front subframe middle mount bolts.
    Fig 35: Loosening Front Subframe Middle Mount Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
58. Attach the subframe adapter (VSB02C000016) to the front subframe by looping the strap (A) over the front of the front subframe, then secure the strap with the stop (B), then tighten the wing nut (C).
    Fig 36: Identifying Strap, Stop And Wing Nut Of Subframe Adapter

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
59. Raise the jack and line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then tighten the bolts.
60. Remove the four bolts securing the stiffeners (A) and the four bolts securing the front subframe (B), then lower the front subframe.
    NOTE: Check that the front subframe is free of the ATF cooler hoses and the electrical wiring.
    Fig 37: Identifying Stiffeners And Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
61. Support the transmission with a transmission jack.
62. Remove the intermediate shaft (A). Coat all precision machined surfaces with clean engine oil, then put plastic bags over intermediate shaft ends.
    NOTE: Plug the intermediate shaft hole (B) to prevent dirt and solvent from entering the transmission.
    Fig 38: Identifying Intermediate Shaft And Intermediate Shaft Hole

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
63. Remove the front engine mount bracket.
    Fig 39: Removing Front Engine Mount Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
64. Remove the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor cover (A), and disconnect the CKP sensor connector (B).
    Fig 40: Identifying Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Cover And CKP Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
65. Remove the lower transmission housing mounting bolts.

    Front side 

    Fig 41: Removing Lower Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts (Front Side)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

    Rear side 

    Fig 42: Removing Lower Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts (Rear Side)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
66. Lower the transmission by loosening the wing nut of the engine support hanger, and tilt the engine just enough for the transmission to clear its end from the side frame.
67. Slide the transmission away from the engine to remove it from the vehicle.
68. Remove the torque converter (A), the O-ring (B), and the dowel pins (C).
    Fig 43: Identifying Torque Converter, O-Ring And Dowel Pins

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