- Remove battery and battery tray. On Colt Vista and Stealth models, remove undercover(s). On all models, remove air cleaner and case. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Disconnect control cables at transaxle. Drain transaxle fluid.
- On all models, disconnect neutral safety switch connector, oil cooler hoses and electrical connectors from transaxle. Disconnect speedometer cable and throttle control cable (if equipped). Remove starter motor.
- On models with electronically controlled suspension, remove air compressor and bracket. Disconnect front height sensor rod at lower control arm.
- On all models, remove upper transaxle-to-engine bolts. Remove engine undercover (if equipped). On Colt Vista, remove strut bar and stabilizer bar. On all models, remove drive axle shafts. See FWD AXLE SHAFTS article in DRIVE AXLES. Separate lower control arms from struts for access to axle shafts (if necessary).
- Remove front exhaust pipe (if necessary). On 4WD models, separate transfer assembly from transaxle. Reference mark transfer assembly-to-drive shaft and remove transfer assembly.
- On all models, remove transmission inspection (dust) cover. Place index mark on torque converter and drive plate for reassembly reference. Remove torque converter-to-drive plate bolts. Push torque converter away from engine into transaxle.
- Support transaxle with jack. Remove transaxle mounts bolts, mounting brackets and remaining transaxle-to-engine bolts. Slide transaxle assembly to right and lower to remove.
| CAUTION | Ensure torque converter is fully seated in transaxle before installation. Always install new snap rings on inner constant velocity joints. |
- To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten transaxle-to-engine bolts and torque converter-to-drive plate bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (FWD)»(ref-55984-S41174447552001011700000) .
- Ensure reference marks on torque converter-to-drive plate and transfer assembly-to-drive shaft align. Tighten mounting bolts with weight of engine and transaxle on mounts. Refill transaxle fluid to specified level. Adjust all control cables.
Removal - Ram-50
- Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove front exhaust pipe. Remove transfer case gearshift assembly.
- On all models, raise and support vehicle. Remove undercarriage cover and/or skid plate(s). Drain transmission and transfer case (if applicable). Place reference mark on drive shaft(s) and remove. Disconnect all external solenoid and switch connections.
- Disconnect speedometer cable and control cables at transmission. Remove starter and bellhousing cover. Place reference mark on torque converter and drive plate for reassembly reference. Remove torque converter bolts.
- Disconnect transmission cooler lines. Remove oil filler tube. Secure transmission on a jack. Raise transmission slightly to take weight off mount. Remove crossmember-to-mount bolts and crossmember.
- Remove transfer case mounting bracket and mount (if equipped). Remove transmission-to-engine mounting bolts. Carefully lower transmission from vehicle.
| CAUTION | Ensure torque converter is fully seated in transmission before installation. |
- To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten transmission-to-engine bolts and torque converter-to-drive plate bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (RWD)»(ref-55984-S12068135812001011700000) . Tighten mount bolts with weight of engine and transmission on mounts. Ensure reference marks on drive shaft(s) and torque converter-to-drive plate align.
- Apply sealant to transfer case gearshift assembly gasket before installation. Coat transmission oil filler tube "O" ring with transmission fluid before installation. Refill transmission fluid to specified level. Adjust all control cables.