GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

J 36850 Transjel Lubricant

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the engine dress cover.
  2. Disconnect the MAF sensor harness connector from the MAF and disconnect the air intake duct from throttle body.
  3. Disconnect the EVAP emission hose from the EVAP valve.

  4. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  5. Remove the shift cable from the transaxle range selector.
  6. Remove the transaxle shift cable bracket bolts and the bracket from the transaxle.
  7. Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness connector.
  8. Remove both engine supports from the engine and radiator support.

  9. Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  10. Remove top side cover bolt (56, 58).
  11. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture 3.8L, Engine Support Fixture 3.6L, Engine Support Fixture 5.3L.
  12. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  13. Remove the left front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  14. Remove the inner fender splash shield.
  15. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness from 4 retainers on lower control arm.
  16. Remove the transmission mount-to-frame nuts (2).
  17. Using side cutters, remove the plastic pencil-like support on the left side of the front splash shield, just below the left front frame bolt.
  18. Remove the front cradle to radiator support brackets on each side.
  19. Remove both stabilizer links from the stabilizer and reposition stabilizer to access steering gear- to-frame bolts.
  20. Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts and support steering gear.
  21. Remove the positive battery cable center retainer at front rail.
  22. Remove the left side ball joint from the steering knuckle.
  23. Support the left frame rail with a jack stand.
  24. Remove only the left two frame-to-body bolts. DO NOT LOOSEN RIGHT SIDE FRAME-TO-BODY BOLTS.
  25. Lower the frame with jack stand and remove jack stand.
  26. Position the drain pan under transaxle side cover.
  27. Remove the left drive axle from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  28. Secure the drive axle to the strut assembly.
  29. Lower the vehicle.
  30. Using the engine support fixture lower the engine assembly to access the transaxle case side cover.
  31. Raise the vehicle.

  32. Object Number: 161246  Size: SH
  33. Remove the transaxle mount bracket bolts and the bracket from the transaxle.

  34. Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  35. Remove the remaining case side cover bolts (56, 57, 58).

  36. Object Number: 48208  Size: SH
  37. Remove the case side cover (53).
  38. Remove the case side cover gasket (54).
  39. Remove the case side cover O-ring (59).
  40. Clean the side cover gasket mating surfaces.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 48208  Size: SH
  1. Install the J 36850 to the case side cover O-ring (59).
  2. Install the O-ring (59) to the case side cover.
  3. Install the case side cover gasket (54).
  4. Install the case side cover (53).
  5. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  6. Install the case side cover bolts (56, 57, 58) except top bolt.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 161246  Size: SH
  8. Install the transaxle mount bracket.
  9. Install the transaxle mount bracket bolts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 95 N·m (70 lb ft).

  11. Install a jack stand under the left frame rail and raise frame while aligning transaxle mount bolts with frame and ball joint with the steering knuckle.
  12. Install and tighten the left side frame-to-body bolts (2).
  13. Install front cradle to radiator support brackets and bolts to both sides.
  14. Install drive axle to transaxle.
  15. Install transaxle mount nuts (2).
  16. Install the ball joint nut and cotter pin.
  17. Install the steering gear-to-frame bolts.
  18. Install the positive battery cable center retainer on front frame rail.
  19. Reposition the stabilizer bar and install bolts to stabilizer.
  20. Install the wheel speed sensor harness to four retainers on the lower control arm.
  21. Install the inner fender splash shield.
  22. Install the left front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  23. Lower the vehicle and remove the engine support fixture.

  24. Object Number: 164786  Size: SH
  25. Install the top case side cover bolt.
  26. Tighten
    Tighten bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  27. Install the transaxle shift cable bracket and shift cable bracket bolts.
  28. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

  29. Install the transaxle shift cable to the transaxle range selector.
  30. Connect the transaxle wiring harness connector.
  31. Install the air intake duct and connect the MAF sensor wiring harness.
  32. Install the EVAP hose to EVAP valve.
  33. Install the engine dress cover.
  34. Notice: Do NOT overfill the transaxle. The overfilling of the transaxle causes foaming, loss of fluid, shift complaints, and possible damage to the transaxle.

  35. Check and fill the transaxle as necessary.
  36. Inspect for fluid leaks.