Automatic Transmission Removal & Installation Buick LeSabre VIII

APPLICATION

TRANSAXLE APPLICATION

Note. Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

Note. The wheels of the vehicle must be straight ahead and the steering column in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Failure to do so will cause the SIR coil assembly to become uncentered, which may cause damage to the coil assembly.

Scheme 345

Scheme 346

Scheme 347

Scheme 348

Scheme 349

Scheme 350

Scheme 351

Scheme 352

Scheme 353

Scheme 354

Scheme 355

Scheme 356

Scheme 357

Scheme 358

Scheme 359

1. Lock the steering column by installing Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin (J-42640) into the underside of the steering column. (Scheme 345)
2. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable.
3. Remove the air cleaner assembly.
4. Use a large flat-bladed tool in order to remove the range selector cable from the range selector lever. (Scheme 346)
5. Remove the range selector cable with bracket from the transaxle case and set aside.
6. Disconnect the transaxle electrical connector C100 (2).
7. Remove the wiring harness (3) from the wiring harness retainer (1) on the transaxle. (Scheme 347)
8. Remove the ground cable bolt (1) from the transaxle. (Scheme 348)
9. Install the engine support fixture. See «ENGINE SUPPORT FIXTURE»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
10. Remove the upper engine to transaxle case bolts (2-5). (Scheme 349)
11. Raise and support the vehicle.
12. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly.
13. Remove both of the front fascia extensions (3). (Scheme 350)
14. Remove the front air deflector.
15. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt. (Scheme 351)
16. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the power steering gear. See appropriate POWER RACK & PINION article in STEERING.
17. Remove the power steering gear heat shield.
18. Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts. (Scheme 352)
19. Remove the power steering line retainers from the frame.
20. Secure the power steering gear to the exhaust manifold.
21. Loosen the two mounting nuts (2) in order to allow removal of the brake pressure modulator valve (1) from the bracket (3). (Scheme 353)
22. Remove the brake line retainers from the frame.
23. Remove the left transaxle mount. See «TRANSAXLE MOUNT (LEFT)»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
24. Remove the frame. See «FRAME REPLACEMENT»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
25. Remove the front transaxle mount bracket with mount attached. See «MOUNT BRACKET (FRONT)»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation). (Scheme 354)
26. Remove the right and left drive axles from the transaxle. See appropriate AXLE SHAFTS article in DRIVELINE/AXLES.
27. Disconnect the transaxle oil cooler hoses from the transaxle.
28. Remove the transaxle fluid filler tube.
29. Remove the torque converter cover. See «TORQUE CONVERTER COVER»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
30. Mark the flywheel to converter relationship to ensure proper reassembly. Remove the flywheel to torque converter bolts. (Scheme 355)
31. Support transaxle using an appropriate transaxle jack. (Scheme 356)
32. Disconnect vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
33. Remove the torque strut bracket to transaxle bolts. (Scheme 357)
34. Remove the torque strut bracket to engine bolts. (Scheme 358)
35. Remove the torque strut bracket.
36. Remove the engine to transaxle case bolt (6) which is only accessible through right wheel opening. (Scheme 349)
37. Remove the remaining transaxle to engine bolt (1).
38. Remove the transaxle from vehicle using an appropriate transaxle jack.
39. Remove the rear transaxle bracket (1) from the transaxle. (Scheme 359)
40. Remove the left transaxle bracket (1) from the transaxle. (Scheme 360)

1. Install the left transaxle bracket (1) to the transaxle. (Scheme 360)
2. Install the left transaxle bracket bolts. Tighten the left transaxle bracket bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
3. Install the rear transaxle bracket (1) to the transaxle. (Scheme 359)
4. Install the rear transaxle bracket bolts. Tighten the rear transaxle bracket bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
5. Install the transaxle into the vehicle and align the engine alignment dowels (1 and 5). (Scheme 349)
6. Install the transaxle case to engine bolts (1 and 6). Tighten the lower transaxle bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
7. Install the torque strut bracket.
8. Install the torque strut bracket to engine bolts. (Scheme 358) Tighten the torque strut bracket to engine bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
9. Install the torque strut bracket to transaxle bolts. (Scheme 357) Tighten the torque strut bracket to transaxle bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
10. Connect vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
11. Remove the transaxle jack.
12. Install the flywheel to torque converter bolts. (Scheme 355) Tighten the flywheel to torque converter bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
13. Install the torque converter cover. See «TORQUE CONVERTER COVER»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
14. Install the transaxle fluid filler tube.
15. Connect the transaxle oil cooler hoses to the transaxle. NOTE: Use care when installing the right side drive axle into the transaxle case. The splined shaft of the drive axle can easily cut or distort the seal.
16. Install the left and the right drive axle into the transaxle. See appropriate AXLE SHAFTS article in DRIVELINE/AXLES.
17. Install the front transaxle mount bracket with mount attached. (Scheme 354) See «MOUNT BRACKET (FRONT)»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
18. Install the frame. See «FRAME REPLACEMENT»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
19. Install the left transaxle mount. See «TRANSAXLE MOUNT (LEFT)»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
20. Position the brake pressure modulator valve (1) into the bracket (3). (Scheme 353) Tighten the two nuts (2) to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
21. Install the brake line retainers onto the frame.
22. Install the power steering gear mounting bolts. (Scheme 352) Tighten the bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
23. Install the power steering line retainers onto the frame.
24. Install the power steering gear heat shield. See appropriate POWER RACK & PINION article in STEERING.
25. Connect the intermediate shaft to the power steering gear.
26. Install the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt. (Scheme 351) Tighten the bolt to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
27. Install both of the front fascia extensions (3). (Scheme 350)
28. Install the front air deflector.
29. Install the front tire and wheel assembly.
30. Lower the vehicle.
31. Install the upper transaxle case to engine bolts (2-5). (Scheme 349) Tighten the transaxle bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
32. Remove the engine support fixture. See «ENGINE SUPPORT FIXTURE»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
33. Install the range selector cable bracket and cable. (Scheme 346) Tighten the range selector cable bracket nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
34. Install the range selector cable onto the range selector lever.
35. Check adjustment of the range selector cable. Re-adjust as needed. See ADJUSTMENTS in appropriate SERVICING article.
36. Install ground cable and bolt (1) to transaxle. (Scheme 348) Tighten the ground cable bolt to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
37. Connect the transaxle electrical connector C100 (2).
38. Install the wiring harness (3) into the wiring harness retainer (1) on the transaxle. (Scheme 347)
39. Install the air cleaner assembly.
40. Connect the negative (-) battery cable.
41. Remove the steering column anti-rotation pin from the steering column. (Scheme 345)
42. Flush the transaxle cooler. See LUBRICATION in appropriate SERVICING article.
43. Inspect the transaxle fluid level.
44. Inspect for fluid leaks.
45. Clear TAPS (Transaxle Adaptive Pressures). See appropriate DIAGNOSIS article.
46. Check the front wheel alignment. See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in SUSPENSION.
47. Road test the vehicle and check for transaxle leaks.

Scheme 360

Scheme 361

Scheme 362

Scheme 363

Scheme 364

Scheme 365

Scheme 366

Scheme 367

Scheme 368

Scheme 369

Scheme 370

Scheme 371

Scheme 372

1. Remove the rearward strut bolts from the right and left strut towers.
2. Install (2) Engine Support Fixture Adapters (J-42478) into the strut threads. (Scheme 361)
3. Place strut adapters (J-28467-33A) (1) on top of the four remaining forward strut tower bolts.
4. Install the Strut Tower Support Assemblies (J-28467-5A) over the engine support fixture adapters and strut adapters. (Scheme 362)
5. Install the T-Bolts to the engine support fixture adapters and strut adapters. (Scheme 363)
6. Install the Strut Tower Tube (J-28467-3) into the strut tower support assemblies. (Scheme 364)
7. Install the 1/2" X 2.5" Quick Release Pin (J-28467-10) (2) through the strut tower support assembly (3) and the strut tower tube (1) on one side only. (Scheme 365)
8. Install the Radiator Shelf Tube (J-28467-2A) on top of the strut tower tube over the rear engine lift bracket. (Scheme 366)
9. Install the round tube of the Front Support Assembly (J-28467-4A) through the large hole in the Radiator Shelf Tube (J-28467-2A). The hole used in the radiator shelf tube depends on the vehicle application. (Scheme 367)
10. Place the rubber padded foot of the front support assembly on the upper tie bar.
11. Install the 7/16" X 2.0" Quick Release Pin (J-28467-9) through the hole in the front support assembly, in order to level the radiator shelf tube.
12. Install the Cross Bracket Assembly (J-28467-1A). (Scheme 368)
13. Hand tighten the cross bracket assembly wing nuts.
14. Install the Lift Hook (J-28467-7A) through the Lift Hook Bracket (J-28467-6A). (Scheme 369)
15. Install the 1/2" lift hook washer and Lift Hook Wing Nut (J-28467-34) onto the lift hook.
16. Install the assembled lift hook bracket (1) over the strut tower tube (2). (Scheme 370)
17. Adjust the assembled lift hook bracket (1) in order to align the hook with the front engine lift hook bracket.
18. Install the lift hook through the front engine lift hook bracket. Ensure the hook does not damage the surrounding components. (Scheme 371)
19. Repeat steps 14 and 15.
20. Install the assembled lift hook bracket (1) over the radiator shelf tube (2). (Scheme 370)
21. Adjust the assembled lift hook bracket (1) in order to align the hook with the rear engine lift hook bracket.
22. Install the lift hook through the rear engine lift hook bracket. Ensure the hook does not damage the surrounding components. (Scheme 372)
23. Hand tighten the lift hook wing nuts securely to remove all slack from the engine support fixture assembly. (Scheme 373)

1. Remove the universal engine support fixture. (Scheme 373)
2. Remove the engine support fixture adapters.
3. Install the 2 rearward strut bolts to the right and left strut towers. Tighten the strut tower bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).

Scheme 373

Scheme 374

Scheme 375

Scheme 376

Scheme 377

Scheme 378

1. Install the Universal Engine Support Fixture (J-28467-A) to support the engine. See «ENGINE SUPPORT FIXTURE»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation).
2. Ensure the engine support fixture is stable on the strut towers.
3. Raise and support the vehicle.
4. Remove the fasteners retaining the rack and pinion at the left side of the vehicle.
5. Remove the front tires and wheels.
6. Remove the engine splash shield.
7. Separate the ball joints from the steering knuckle.
8. Remove the front air deflector.
9. Remove the brackets retaining the power steering lines (1 and 2) at the engine frame. (Scheme 374)
10. Remove the fastener retaining the rack and pinion at the right side of the vehicle.
11. Remove the fastener retaining the left transaxle mount to the engine frame. (Scheme 375)
12. Remove the fasteners retaining the right transaxle mount to the engine frame. (Scheme 376)
13. Support the engine frame with suitable jack stands. (Scheme 377)
14. Remove the engine frame insulator fasteners (3) retaining the engine frame (2) to the vehicle. (Scheme 378)
15. Lower the engine frame (2) from the vehicle.
16. Separate the engine frame insulators from the engine frame as follows: Remove the bolts (2) from the engine frame (1). (Scheme 379) Remove the lower insulator retainer (3) from the lower insulator (4). Remove the lower insulator (4) from the engine frame (1). Remove the retainer (7) and the upper spacer (6) from the upper insulator (5). Remove the upper insulator (5) from the engine frame (1).

1. Assemble the engine frame insulators to the engine frame as follows: Install the upper insulator (5) from the engine frame (1). (Scheme 379) Install the retainer (7) and the upper spacer (6) from the upper insulator (5). Install the lower insulator (4) from the engine frame (1). Install the lower insulator retainer (3) from the lower insulator (4). Install the fasteners (2) from the engine frame (1).
2. Using dowel pins in the alignment holes (1), align the engine frame (2) with the vehicle.
3. Install the engine frame insulator fasteners (3) to retain the engine frame (2) to the vehicle. (Scheme 378) Tighten the fasteners to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
4. Remove the jack stands supporting the engine frame. (Scheme 377)
5. Install the nut and the bolt to retain the rear transaxle mount to the bracket. (Scheme 376) Tighten the fasteners to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
6. Install the fastener to retain the front transaxle mount to the engine frame. (Scheme 375) Tighten the fastener to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
7. Install the fastener to retain the rack and pinion at the right side of the vehicle. (Scheme 374) Tighten the bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
8. Install the brackets to retain the power steering lines (1 and 2) at the engine frame.
9. Install the front air deflector.
10. Install the ball joints to the steering knuckle.
11. Install the engine splash shield.
12. Install the front tires and wheels.
13. Install the bolts to retain the rack and pinion at the left side of the vehicle. Tighten the bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
14. Remove the universal engine support fixture supporting the engine.
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. Check the front wheel alignment. See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in SUSPENSION.

Scheme 379

1. Remove the three Attaching nuts (2) from the AIR pump (1). (Scheme 380)
2. Position aside the AIR pump (1).
3. Remove the nut from the top of the transaxle mount.
4. Raise and support the vehicle.
5. Remove the three bolts securing the front transaxle mount bracket to the transaxle. (Scheme 354)
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Remove the front transaxle mount bracket from the vehicle.

1. Install the front transaxle mount bracket to the transaxle.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Apply thread lock compound to the front transaxle bracket bolts.
4. Install the three bolts securing the front transaxle mount bracket to the transaxle. (Scheme 354) Tighten the front transaxle bracket bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
5. Lower the vehicle.
6. Install the top transaxle mount nut. Tighten transaxle mount nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
7. Install the AIR pump (1) to the transaxle bracket. (Scheme 380)
8. Install the three nuts (2) to AIR pump (1). Tighten the AIR pump bracket to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).

Scheme 380

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the transaxle cooler line clip from the transaxle.
3. Remove the converter cover bolts. (Scheme 381)
4. Remove the converter covers.

1. Install the converter covers.
2. Install the converter cover attaching bolts. (Scheme 381) Tighten bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
3. Install the transaxle cooler line clip to the transaxle.
4. Lower the vehicle.

Scheme 381

Scheme 382

Scheme 383

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the left front tire and wheel.
3. Remove the right front fascia extension.
4. Install a transaxle stand under the transaxle in order to support the powertrain. (Scheme 356)
5. Remove the mount stud nut from the mount stud to allow separation of the mount from the mount bracket. (Scheme 382)
6. Remove the nut (4) and bolt (1) and the nuts (3) from the vehicle. (Scheme 383)
7. Slowly lower the transaxle stand and remove the stand.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Remove the frame rail bolt retaining screws. see scheme 40
10. Raise the vehicle.
11. Push up on the frame rail bolts in order to clear the mount as the top of the mount is tilted away from the vehicle.
12. Remove the mount (2) from the vehicle. (Scheme 383)

1. Insert the mount stud into the transaxle mount bracket. (Scheme 383)
2. Push up on the frame rail bolts in order to clear the mount (2) as the mount is rotated into the proper position.
3. Make sure the loose frame rail bolts are properly aligned with and inserted into the mount.
4. Lower the vehicle.
5. Install the frame rail bolt retaining screws. see scheme 40 Tighten the frame rail bolt retaining screws to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
6. Raise the vehicle.
7. Install the mount bolt (1) and rotate counter clockwise to ensure anti-rotation tab locks behind mount bracket. (Scheme 383)
8. Install the mount nuts (4) and (3). (Scheme 383) Tighten the mount nuts (4) and (3) to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
9. Using the transaxle stand, raise the powertrain and load the mount. (Scheme 356)
10. Install the mount stud nut onto the mount stud. (Scheme 382) Tighten the mount stud nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/lesabre/viii-2000-2005/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-removal-installation__torque-specifications).
11. Remove the transaxle stand.
12. Install the right front fascia extension.
13. Install the left front tire and wheel.
14. Lower the vehicle.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• ENGINE SUPPORT FIXTURE
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS