Case Side Cover: Removal
- Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the throttle body air inlet duct. Install the engine support fixture. See appropriate REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article. Remove the engine mount struts. Raise and support the vehicle.
- Remove the left front tire and wheel. Remove the left engine splash shield. Remove the stabilizer shaft links from the lower control arms. See appropriate FRONT article in SUSPENSION. Remove the left tie rod end from the steering knuckle. See appropriate FRONT article in SUSPENSION.
- Remove the wheel speed sensor harness connector. Remove the left lower ball joint from the left steering knuckle. See appropriate FRONT article in SUSPENSION. Disconnect the left drive axle from the transaxle. See appropriate AXLE SHAFTS article in DRIVELINE/AXLES. Reposition and secure the drive axle.
- Remove the intermediate shaft from the steering gear. See appropriate POWER RACK & PINION article in STEERING. Disconnect the catalytic converter pipe from the right (rear) exhaust manifold. Support the right side of the frame with a utility stand.CAUTION: Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or damage to the intermediate shaft. This damage may cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.
- Support the left side of the frame with a utility stand. Remove the transaxle mount and bracket. See TRANSAXLE MOUNT & BRACKET .
- Loosen the engine mount lower nuts. See appropriate REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article. Loosen the right side frame bolts. Remove the left side frame bolts. Use the utility stand in order to lower left side of the frame.
- Position the drain pan under the transaxle. Remove the wiring harness connectors. Remove the case side cover bolts. See Fig 1 . Remove the case side cover pan (53). See Fig 2 . Remove the case side cover gasket (54). Remove the case side cover inner gasket (59).
- Inspect the case side cover (53) for the following conditions:
- Damaged or porous gasket sealing surfaces.
- Damaged or porous casting surfaces.
- Damaged or stripped bolt holes.
- Inspect the case side cover gasket (54) and case side cover inner gasket (59) for damage. The gaskets are reusable if they are NOT damaged. Clean the case side cover. Clean the case side cover gasket surfaces.