Case Cover
Removal Procedure
Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in Service Precautions.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Install the engine support fixture.
3. Remove the air intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Intake Duct Replacement in Powertrain Management.
4. Remove the shift cable and bracket at the transaxle.
5. Remove the accelerator and cruise control cables from the retainer on the left strut tower.
6. Unbolt but do not remove the ABS modulator.
7. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
8. Remove the left front tire and wheel assembly.
9. Remove the inner splash shield.
10. Remove the tie rod end from the knuckle assembly. Refer to Tie Rod End Replacement - Outer in Steering and Suspension.
11. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
12. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Ball Joint Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
13. Remove the drive axle from the transmission and support axle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement.
14. Remove the pinch bolt from the steering gear intermediate shaft at steering column. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
Caution: Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion steering gear stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear or to the intermediate shaft. This damage may cause loss of steering control, which could result in an accident and possible personal injury.
15. Remove the intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
16. Remove the three frame-to-body bolts on the left side.
17. Loosen but do not remove the bolts on the right side.
18. Remove the transaxle oil cooler hoses at the case. Refer to Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Hose Replacement.
19. Lower the vehicle and loosen the engine support fixture adapters until adequate clearance is available at the case side cover to frame rail area.
20. Raise the vehicle.
21. Remove the case side cover bolts.
22. Remove the case side cover (53).
23. Clean the case and side cover gasket surfaces.
Installation Procedure
1. Inspect the case side cover for the following conditions:
^ Damaged or porous gasket sealing surfaces
^ Damaged or porous casting surfaces
^ Damaged or stripped bolt holes
2. Install the new gaskets (54 and 59) on the case (53).
3. Install the case side cover.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
4. Install the new side cover bolts (56) and one side cover to case stud (58) in the locations shown. These bolts will properly locate the case side cover to the case.
5. Install the remaining bolts:
^ Nine case side cover bolts (56)
^ Four side cover torx bolts (57)
^ Four side cover to case stud bolts (58
^ Tighten the side cover bolts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the transaxle oil cooler hoses to the transmission. Refer to Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Hose Replacement.
7. Raise the transmission and frame using a transmission jack so that the frame bolts can be installed.
8. Install the three frame-to-body bolts and tight the right side bolts.
9. Remove the transmission jack.
10. Install the intermediate shaft to the steering gear and the pinch bolt at the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
11. Install the drive axle to the transmission. Refer to Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement.
12. Install the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Ball Joint Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
13. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
14. Install the tie rod end to the knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod End Replacement - Outer in Steering and Suspension.
15. Install the inner splash shield.
16. Install the left front tire and wheel assembly.
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Remove the J 28467-360.
19. Install the shift cable and bracket at the transaxle.
20. Install the accelerator and cruise control cables from the retainer on the left strut tower.
21. Install the ABS modulator.
22. Install the air intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Intake Duct Replacement in Powertrain Management.
23. Connect the negative battery cable.
24. Check the fluid level. Refer to Fluid Capacity Specifications
25. Inspect for leaks.
26. Check front end alignment.