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42RLE Automatic Transmission (Service Information): Installation

  1. Check torque converter hub and hub drive flats for sharp edges burrs, scratches, or nicks. Polish the hub and flats with 320/400 grit paper and crocus cloth if necessary. The hub must be smooth to avoid damaging pump seal at installation.
  2. If a replacement transmission is being installed, transfer any components necessary, such as the manual shift lever and shift cable bracket, from the original transmission onto the replacement transmission.
  3. Lubricate oil pump seal lip with transmission fluid.
    Fig 1: Torque Converter Installation Depth
    GC0012727Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - TORQUE CONVERTER
    2 - TRANSMISSION HOUSING
  4. Place torque converter (1) in position in transmission (2). See Fig 1.
    CAUTION: Do not damage oil pump seal or converter hub while inserting torque converter into the front of the transmission.
  5. Align torque converter to oil pump seal opening.
  6. Insert torque converter hub into oil pump.
  7. While pushing torque converter inward, rotate converter until converter is fully seated in the oil pump gears.
  8. Check converter seating with a scale and straightedge (A). See Fig 1. Surface of converter lugs should be at least 19 mm (3/4 in.) to rear of straightedge when converter is fully seated.
  9. If necessary, temporarily secure converter with C-clamp attached to the converter housing.
    Fig 2: Transmission Removal
    GC0012851Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - ENGINE
    2 - BOLTS
    3 - TRANSMISSION
  10. Check condition of converter driveplate. Replace the plate if cracked, distorted or damaged. Also be sure transmission dowel pins are seated in engine block and protrude far enough to hold transmission in alignment. 
  11. Apply a light coating of Mopar® High Temp Grease to the torque converter hub pocket in the rear pocket of the engine's crankshaft.
  12. Raise transmission (3) and align the torque converter with the drive plate and the transmission converter housing with the engine block (1). See Fig 2.
  13. Move transmission forward. Then raise, lower, or tilt transmission to align the converter housing with the engine block dowels.
  14. Carefully work transmission forward and over engine block dowels until converter hub is seated in crankshaft. Verify that no wires, or the transmission vent hose, have become trapped between the engine block and the transmission.
  15. Install two bolts (2) to attach the transmission to the engine.
  16. Install remaining torque converter housing to engine bolts (2). Tighten to 39 N.m (29 ft.lbs.).
    Fig 3: Remove Transmission Mount Bolts
    GC0012844Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  17. Install rear transmission crossmember (1). See Fig 3. Tighten crossmember to frame bolts to 68 N.m (50 ft.lbs.).
  18. Install rear support (3) to transmission. Tighten bolts to 47 N.m (35 ft.lbs.).
  19. Lower transmission onto crossmember and install bolts attaching transmission mount to crossmember. Tighten clevis bracket to crossmember bolts (2) to 47 N.m (39 ft.lbs.).
  20. Remove engine support fixture.
    Fig 4: Remove Transmission To Oil Pan Bolts - 3.5L
    GC0012843Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - BOLTS
    2 - ENGINE OIL PAN
    3 - TRANSMISSION
  21. Install the transmission (3) to engine oil pan (2) bolts (1). Tighten to 39 N.m (29 ft.lbs.). See Fig 4.
    Fig 5: Input and Output Speed Sensors and Transmission Range Sensor
    GC0012854Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - INPUT SPEED SENSOR
    2 - OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR
    3 - TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR
  22. Connect input (1) and output (2) speed sensor wires and the transmission range sensor (3). See Fig 5.
    Fig 6: Solenoid/Pressure Switch Assembly
    GC0012855Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - SOLENOID/PRESSURE SWITCH ASSEMBLY CONNECTOR
  23. Connect wires to the solenoid/pressure switch assembly (1). See Fig 6.
    Fig 7: Crankshaft Position Sensor
    GC0012853Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  24. Install the crankshaft position sensor. See Fig 7. (Refer to FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL INJECTION/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR - INSTALLATION)
    Fig 8: Disconnect Shift Cable
    GC0012846Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - GEARSHIFT CABLE
    2 - SUPPORT BRACKET
    3 - MANUAL LEVER
  25. Connect the gearshift cable (1) to the transmission manual shift lever (3). See Fig 8.
    Fig 9: Remove Torque Converter Bolts
    GC0012848Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - TRANSMISSION
    2 - ENGINE OIL PAN
    3 - BOLTS
    CAUTION: It is essential that correct length bolts be used to attach the converter to the driveplate. Bolts that are too long will damage the clutch surface inside the converter.
  26. Install all torque converter-to-driveplate bolts (1) by hand. See Fig 9.
  27. Verify that the torque converter is pulled flush to the driveplate. Tighten bolts to 42 N.m (30.5 ft. lbs.).
    Fig 10: Remove Torque Converter Access Cover - 3.5L
    GC0012849Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - ACCESS COVER
    2 - BOLT
  28. Install the torque converter bolt access cover (1) onto the transmission, for vehicles equipped with 3.5L engines. Install the access cover bolt (2) and tighten to 11 N.m (8 ft.lbs.). See Fig 10.
    Fig 11: Remove Structural Collar - 2.7L
    GC0012842Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - ENGINE OIL PAN
    2 - STRUCTURAL COVER
    3 - HORIZONTAL BOLTS
    4 - VERTICAL BOLTS
  29. Install the structural collar (2) and bolts (3, 4) for vehicles equipped with a 2.7L engine. See Fig 11. (Refer to ENGINE - 2.7L/ENGINE BLOCK/STRUCTURAL COVER - INSTALLATION)
    Fig 12: Relocate Starter
    GC0012850Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - STARTER
    2 - BOLTS
    3 - CLOSEOUT PLATE
  30. Install starter motor (1). See Fig 12. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - INSTALLATION)
    Fig 13: Transmission Lines
    GC0012845Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES
    2 - COOLER LINE FITTINGS
    3 - SUPPORT CLAMPS
  31. Connect the cooler line fittings (2) and cooler lines (1) to the transmission. See Fig 13.
    Fig 14: Remove Transmission Fill Tube
    GC0012852Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - TRANSMISSION
    2 - TRANSMISSION FILL TUBE
    3 - BOLT
    NOTE: Inspect the fill tube grommet to determine if the grommet is new or used. If a new fill tube grommet is in the transmission case, pierce the center of the grommet with a ballpoint pen, or similar instrument, to prepare the grommet for the fill tube installation.
  32. Install the transmission fill tube (2). See Fig 14.
  33. Install exhaust components.
    Fig 15: Disconnect Propeller Shaft
    GC0012847Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - PROPELLER SHAFT
    2 - BOLTS
    3 - PROPELLER SHAFT COUPLER
    4 - COMPANION FLANGE
    5 - PROPELLER SHAFT PILOT
  34. Align and connect the propeller shaft (1). See Fig 15. (Refer to DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/PROPELLER SHAFT - INSTALLATION)
  35. Adjust gearshift cable if necessary.
  36. Lower vehicle.
  37. Connect negative battery cable.
  38. Fill transmission with appropriate transmission fluid (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES - DESCRIPTION) according to the standard procedure (Refer to TRANSMISSION/AUTOMATIC - NAG1/FILTER - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
  39. Verify proper operation.
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