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Automatic Transaxle - AISIN Aw21: Installation: Transaxle: Material

MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS TABLE

Item Specification
Motorcraft® Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid XT-8-QAW (US); CXT-8-LAW12 (Canada) WSS-M2C924-A
Multi-Purpose Grease XG-4 and/or XL-5 ESB-M1C93-B
Threadlock and Sealer TA-25 WSK-M2G351-A5
NOTE: The use of any transmission fluid other than what is recommended for this transaxle will cause transaxle damage.
NOTE: If the transaxle was overhauled, or if installing a new transaxle and the transmission fluid cooler has not been flushed, flush the transmission fluid cooler at this time. For additional information, refer to TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER - BACKFLUSHING AND CLEANING .

All vehicles 

  1. Prior to installing the transaxle, apply multi-purpose grease to the torque converter pilot hub.
    Fig 1: Locating Prior To Transaxle
    G06264097Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  2. Position the transaxle to the back of the engine.
  3. Install the 7 transaxle-to-engine bolts.
    • Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
    Fig 2: Locating Transaxle-To-Engine Bolts
    G06264082Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Connect the transmission fluid cooler hoses to the transmission cooler tubes.
    Fig 3: Locating Transmission Fluid Cooler Hoses From Transmission Fluid Cooler Tubes
    G06269857Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Install 4 new torque converter nuts.
    • Tighten to 36 Nm (27 lb-ft).
    Fig 4: Locating Torque Converter Nuts
    G06269862Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Position the inspection cover in place and install the 2 fasteners.
    Fig 5: Locating Inspection Cover In Fasteners
    G06264101Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles 

  7. Install the Power Transfer Unit (PTU). For additional information, refer to POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU) .

    Front Wheel Drive (FWD) 

  8. Install the RH intermediate shaft. For additional information, refer to INSTALLATION .

    All vehicles 

  9. Install the LH halfshaft. For additional information, refer to INSTALLATION .
  10. Install the subframe. For additional information to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
  11. Apply threadlock and sealer to the threads and install the transaxle support insulator bracket, the 2 nuts and the bolt.
    1. Tighten the bolt to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).
    2. Tighten the nuts to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
    Fig 6: Locating Transaxle Support Insulator Bracket With Nuts & Bolt
    G06264102Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  12. Using the Engine Support Bar, raise the transaxle. Apply threadlock and sealant to the threads and install the transaxle support insulator through bolt.
    • Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
    Fig 7: Locating Transaxle Support Insulator Through Bolt
    G06269879Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  13. Remove the Engine Support Bar and Engine Spreader Bar.
    Fig 8: Removing Engine Support Bar & Engine Spreader Bar
    G06264074Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  14. Remove the Engine Lift Eye from the LH cylinder head.
    Fig 9: Locating Engine Lift Eye
    G06068106Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. Install the 4 upper transaxle-to-engine bolts.
    • Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
    Fig 10: Locating Upper Transaxle-To-Engine Bolts
    G06264072Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Position the 2 ground straps in place and install the 2 ground strap bolts.
    • Tighten to 12 Nm (106 lb-in).
    Fig 11: Locating Ground Strap Bolts
    G06264071Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  17. Connect the wiring harness fasteners on the torque converter housing stud bolt and the starter motor.
    Fig 12: Locating Wiring Harness Fasteners From Torque Converter Housing Stud Bolt & Starter Motor
    G06264070Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  18. Connect the Transmission Control Module (TCM) electrical connector.
    Fig 13: Identifying Transmission Control Module (TCM) Electrical Connector
    G06264069Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  19. Position the selector lever cable bracket in place and install the 2 bolts and the nut.
    • Tighten to 12 Nm (106 lb-in).
    Fig 14: Locating Selector Lever Cable Bracket With Bolts & Nut
    G06269832Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  20. Connect the selector lever cable end.
    Fig 15: Locating Selector Lever Cable End
    G06269831Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  21. Remove the transmission fluid fill plug.
    Fig 16: Locating Transmission Fluid Fill Plug
    G06263965Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  22. Fill the transaxle with clean transmission fluid.
  23. Install the transmission fluid fill plug.
    • Tighten to 39 Nm (29 lb-ft).
    Fig 17: Locating Transmission Fluid Fill Plug
    G06263965Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  24. Install the upper intake manifold. For additional information, refer to INSTALLATION .
  25. Install the starter for additional information, refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (2.5L), REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (3.0L) and REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (3.5L) .
  26. Install the Air Cleaner (ACL) and outlet tube. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION or REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
  27. Remove the transmission fluid level indicator and make sure that the transaxle has transmission fluid in it.
  28. With the transaxle in PARK, the vehicle on a level surface, the engine at idle (680-780 rpm) and foot pressed on the brake, move the selector lever through each gear and allow engagement of each gear. Place the selector lever back in the PARK position.
  29. Wipe the transmission fluid level indicator cap and remove the transmission fluid level indicator.
  30. Wipe the transmission fluid level indicator with a clean cloth.
  31. If transmission fluid needs to be added, add transmission fluid in 0.25L (1/2 pt) increments through the transmission fluid fill plug located on the top of the transaxle near the transmission fluid level indicator. Do not overfill the transmission fluid. Install the transmission fluid level indicator back in the transmission fluid filler tube until it is fully seated, then remove the indicator.
    NOTE: In order to get an accurate transmission fluid level reading the vehicle should be on a level surface. Idle the engine to reach the normal operating temperature. Using the scan tool, verify that the transaxle is at normal operating temperature 60°C-70°C (140°F-158°F), prior to adjusting the transmission fluid level.

    The transmission fluid level should be at the upper most mark on the transmission fluid level indicator. Only fill to the upper most mark on the transmission fluid level indicator. Do not overfill. Damage to the transaxle will occur.

    Fig 18: Locating Transmission Fluid Cooler Tubes To Transaxle
    G06263967Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  32. Fill the transaxle to the correct transmission fluid level.
    NOTE: The correct transmission fluid level at normal operating temperature of 60°C-70°C (140°F-158°F) is between the top 2 marks on the transmission fluid level indicator.
    Fig 19: Locating Transmission Fluid Level Indicator Marks
    G06263968Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  33. If the Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) is low, fill the transaxle with transmission fluid to the cold range on the transmission fluid level indicator. Recheck the transmission fluid level when the transaxle has reached the normal operating temperature.
    NOTE: The correct transmission fluid level at cold operating temperature of 15°C-25°C (59°F-77°F) is at the bottom mark on the transmission fluid level indicator.
    Fig 20: Locating Transmission Fluid Level Indicator Marks
    G06263969Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.