Transmission Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566
• Engine hanger balancer bar VSB02C000019
• Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016

  These special tools are available through the Acura Tool and Equipment Program 1-888-424-6857.

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft codes for the audio system and the navigation system. Make sure the ignition switch is in LOCK (0).
2. Remove the covers in the following order: battery trim (A), left upper fender trim (B), cowl cover upper trim (C), right upper fender trim (D), upper grille cover (E), and intake manifold cover (F).
   Fig 1: Identifying Battery Trim, Cowl Cover Upper Trim, Upper Grille Cover And Intake Manifold Cover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
3. Remove the windshield wiper arms (see WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT ) and cowl cover (see WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT ).
4. Disconnect the support strut from the pivot ball on both sides (bolted to the hood). Raise and secure the hood in a vertical position. Remove the right side pivot ball and install it into the lower threaded hole, then reattach the support strut.
   NOTE: Do not attempt to close the hood with the support strut in the vertical position; it will damage the support strut and the hood.
   Fig 2: [Removing Right Side Pivot Ball]

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
5. Set the wheels in the straight ahead position, and lock the steering wheel.
6. Drain the power steering system fluid from the reservoir (see FLUID CHECK/REPLACEMENT ).
7. Make sure the ignition switch is in LOCK (0). Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery, then disconnect the positive terminal.
8. Remove the battery hold-down bracket, and remove the battery cover, battery, and battery tray.
9. Remove the air cleaner (see AIR CLEANER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
10. Remove the battery base.
11. Raise the vehicle on a lift, and make sure it is securely supported.
12. Remove the splash shield.
13. Remove the drain plug (A), and drain the automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
    Fig 3: Drain Plug And Sealing Washer With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
14. Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer (B).
15. Remove the strut brace.
    Fig 4: Identifying Strut Brace

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Disconnect the steering joint (see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
17. Remove the power steering pump outlet line (A) from the power steering pump, and remove the hose (B) from its clamp (C).
    Fig 5: Identifying Power Steering Pump Outlet Line, Hose And Clamp

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
18. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 6: Identifying Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Remove the starter cables (A) from the starter, and remove the harness clamp (B) from the clamp bracket (C).
    Fig 7: Identifying Starter Cables, Vacuum Hose, Radiator Hose Clamp, Clamp Bracket And Solenoid Harness Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Disconnect the solenoid harness connector (D).
21. Remove the bolt securing the radiator hose clamp (E).
22. Disconnect the vacuum hose (F) from the vacuum line (G), and remove the vacuum line bolt (H).
23. Remove the starter and gasket from the transmission.
    Fig 8: Identifying Starter Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
24. Remove the nuts securing the shift cable bracket (A).
    Fig 9: Identifying Shift Cable End Transmission Side

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Remove the spring clip/washer (B) and the control pin (C), then separate the shift cable end (D) from the control lever (E).
26. Check the bushing (F) in the shift cable end for a proper fit and wear. If the bushing is loose or worn, replace the shift cable (see SHIFT CABLE REPLACEMENT  ).
27. Disconnect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector, A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve B connector, and 4th clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connectors (C), and remove the harness cover mounting bolt (D).
    Fig 10: Identifying 4th Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connectors And Harness Cover Mounting Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
28. Remove the harness cover mounting bolt, and remove the harness clamps (A) from the clamp brackets (B).
    Fig 11: Identifying Harness Clamps, Clamp Brackets And Connector Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Disconnect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C connector, and remove the connector bracket (D) and harness clamp bracket.
30. Disconnect the transmission range switch connector (A), and remove the harness clamp (B) from the clamp bracket (C).
    Fig 12: Identifying Transmission Range Switch Connector, Harness Clamp, Transmission Ground Cable And Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Remove the transmission ground cable (D).
32. Disconnect the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (A), input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (B), 3rd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (C), and ATF temperature sensor connector (D).
    Fig 13: Identifying Input Shaft (Mainshaft) Speed Sensor Connector And 3rd Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Disconnect the 2nd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (A), and remove the vacuum line bolt(B).
    Fig 14: Identifying 2nd Clutch Transmission Fluid Pressure Switch Connector And Vacuum Line Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Remove the ATF cooler hoses (A) from the ATF cooler lines (B). Turn the ends of the cooler hoses up to prevent ATF from flowing out, then plug the cooler hoses and lines.
    Fig 15: Identifying ATF Cooler Hoses And ATF Cooler Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
35. Check for any sign of leakage at the hose joints.
36. Remove the connector bracket from the engine front cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach the engine hanger balancer bar front arm.
    Fig 16: Identifying Connector Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
37. Disconnect the solenoid connector, disconnect the vacuum tube from the joint, then remove the bracket from the engine rear cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach the engine hanger balancer bar rear arm.
    Fig 17: Identifying Solenoid Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
38. Install the engine balancer bar (VSB02C000019); attach the front arm (A) to the front cylinder head with the spacer and the 10 mm bolt, and attach the rear arm (B) to the rear cylinder head with the 8 mm bolt.
    Fig 18: Identifying Engine Balancer Bar, Front Arm And Rear Arm

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
39. Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T-12566) to the vehicle, and attach the hook to the engine balancer bar slot. Tighten the wing nut (C) by hand, and lift and support the engine.
40. Remove the front mount stop (A) and front mount bolt (B).
    Fig 19: Identifying Front Mount Stop And Front Mount Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
41. Remove exhaust pipe A.
    Fig 20: Identifying Exhaust Pipe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Make a reference mark (A) across the propeller shaft (B) and the transfer companion flange (C).
    Fig 21: Identifying Reference Mark Across Propeller Shaft And Transfer Companion Flange

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
43. Separate the propeller shaft from the transfer companion flange.
44. Remove the propeller shaft (see PROPELLER SHAFT REMOVAL ).
45. Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench (A) in the top of the ball joint pin (B), and remove the nuts (C), then separate the stabilizer link (D) from the lower arms (E).
    Fig 22: Identifying Stabilizer Link, Knuckle Holder Bolts And Steering Tie-Rod End Ball Joints

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
46. Remove the damper pinch bolts (F), damper fork bolts and self-locking nuts, knuckle holder bolts (G) and nuts (H). Remove the damper forks (I).
47. Remove the cotter pins (J) and nuts (K), and separate the steering tie-rod end ball joints (L) from the knuckle (see step 13 under STEERING GEARBOX REMOVAL ).
48. Remove the bolt securing the transfer breather tube bracket (A), and disconnect the breather tube (B) from the breather pipe (C) on the transfer assembly. Cap the breather pipe to prevent fluid from leaking out.
    Fig 23: Identifying Transfer Breather Tube Bracket, Breather Tube And Breather Pipe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
49. Remove the transfer assembly from the transmission.
    Fig 24: Identifying Transfer Assembly

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
50. Remove the steering gearbox heat shield.
    Fig 25: Identifying Steering Gearbox Heat Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
51. Loosen the hose clamp bolt, then disconnect the power steering fluid hose (A) from the line at the right front of the subframe.
    Fig 26: Identifying Power Steering Fluid Hose And ATF Cooler Hose

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
52. Remove the ATF cooler hose (B) from the ATF cooler. Turn the end of the cooler hose up to prevent ATF from flowing out, then plug the hose.
53. Remove the torque converter cover (A), and remove the drive plate bolts (B) (8) while rotating the crankshaft pulley.
    Fig 27: Identifying Torque Converter Cover And Drive Plate Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
54. Remove the transmission lower mount bolts.
    Fig 28: Identifying Transmission Lower Mount Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
55. Disconnect the power steering angle sensor connector.
    Fig 29: Identifying Power Steering Angle Sensor Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
56. Remove the shift cable bracket on the steering gearbox stiffener.
    Fig 30: Identifying Shift Cable Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
57. Remove the rear mount stop (A), and remove the rear mount bolt (B).
    Fig 31: Identifying Rear Mount Stop And Rear Mount Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
58. Attach the front subframe adapter (VSB02C000016) to the subframe by looping the belt over the front of the subframe, then secure the belt with its stop.
    Fig 32: Attaching Front Subframe Adapter (VSB02C000016) To Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
59. Raise the jack and line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then attach them with bolts.
60. Remove the four bolts securing the stiffeners (A) and the four bolts securing the front subframe (B), and lower the front subframe.
    Fig 33: Identifying Stiffeners And Front Subframe Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
61. Remove the transmission lower mount.
    Fig 34: Identifying Transmission Lower Mount

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
62. Pry out the driveshafts from the differential and intermediate shaft.
    Fig 35: Covering Driveshaft With Plastic Bags

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
63. Remove the exhaust manifold bracket and heat shield.
    Fig 36: Identifying Exhaust Manifold Bracket And Heat Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
64. Remove the intermediate shaft.
65. Coat all precision finished surfaces with clean engine oil, then the plastic bags over the driveshaft ends and intermediate shaft ends.
66. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 37: Identifying Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
67. Remove the front mount bracket (A).
    Fig 38: Identifying Front Mount Bracket, Sensor Harness And Harness Clamp

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
68. Remove the sensor harness (B) from the harness clamp (C).
69. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolt (D) using a socket 22 mm in length.
70. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 39: Identifying Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
71. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 40: Identifying Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
72. Lower the transmission by loosening the wing nut of the engine support hanger, and tilt the engine just enough for the end of the transmission to clear the side frame.
73. Place a jack under the transmission.
74. Slide the transmission away from the engine to remove it from the vehicle.
75. Remove the torque converter and dowel pins.
    Fig 41: Identifying Torque Converter And Dowel Pins

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
76. Remove the clamp bracket.
    Fig 42: Identifying Clamp Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
77. Inspect the drive plate, and replace it if it's damaged (see DRIVE PLATE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION  ).