Service Procedure
NOTE:BEFORE BEGINNING WORK, THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSAXLE.
1. Drain the transmission fluid from the transaxle assembly.
NOTE:
THE 1997 ASPIRE HAS A NON-LOCK TYPE ATX TORQUE CONVERTER. A SERVICE KIT INSTALLATION ONLY IS REQUIRED. ATX TRANSAXLE REMOVAL IS NOT REQUIRED.
2. Remove transaxle assembly (1994-96 Aspire only). Refer to the Service Manual, Section 07-01.
3. Remove the sixteen (16) transaxle oil pan bolts and the oil pan (Figure 1). Discard the oil pan gasket.
NOTE:
NOTE THE POSITION OF EACH MAIN CONTROL VALVE BODY BOLT FOR REINSTALLATION REFERENCE.
NOTE:
DO NOT LOSE THE CHECK BALL AND DETENT SPRING LOCATED IN THE SLOTTED HOLE OR THE THROTTLE CONTROL VALVE ROD (FIGURE 3).
4. Remove the nine (9) main control valve body bolts securing the main control valve body and filter (Figure 2). Remove the main control valve body from the transaxle.
5. Thoroughly clean the oil pan gasket residue from the transaxle case and oil pan.
NOTE:
USE PETROLEUM JELLY, OR EQUIVALENT, TO HOLD THE ASSEMBLY IN PLACE.
6. Install the revised Check Ball and Seat Assembly Kit (F4BZ-7K037-AA) in the drain back hole (Figure 3). Install remaining kit contents in the following order: Seat, Sleeve, Check Ball, and Spring (Figure 4). Reinstall the throttle control valve rod into its hole in the throttle control valve.
CAUTION:
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE MAIN CONTROL VALVE BODY BOLTS. OVERTORQUE COULD CAUSE COMPONENT FAILURE.
CAUTION:
BE SURE SPRING (FIGURE 4 )IS NOT CRUSHED BETWEEN MAIN CONTROL VALVE BODY AND CASE WHEN INSTALLING VALVE BODY.
7. Reinstall the main control valve body in the reverse order of disassembly with the main control valve body bolts in the correct position (Figure 2). Torque bolts to 8-11 N.m (71-97 lb-in).
NOTE:
DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF GASKET SEALER ON THE OIL PAN GASKET. IF NECESSARY, SOAK THE OIL PAN GASKET IN CLEAN TRANSMISSION FLUID.
8. Install the transaxle oil pan using the new gasket supplied in the Check Ball and Seat Assembly Kit. Torque oil pan bolts to 5-8 N.m (44-71 lb-in).
NOTE:
ON 1994-96 ASPIRES, INSTALL A NON-LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER ALONG WITH THE CHECK BALL AND SEAT ASSEMBLY KIT. FAILURE TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER MAY NOT RESOLVE THE DELAYED ENGAGEMENT COMPLETELY. 1997 ASPIRES DO NOT REQUIRE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT, AS THE NON-LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER IS NOW INSTALLED (BEGINNING WITH VEHICLES BUILT 10/1/96).
9. Install a replacement non-lockup Torque Converter (F4BZ-7902-BRM) in the transaxle assembly, and reinstall assembly back into vehicle. Refer to the Service Manual, Section 07-01.
10. Refill the transaxle assembly with XT-2-QDX or equivalent MERCON(R) III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) to the proper level (approximately 3 liters (3 quarts)). Let the transaxle warm to operating temperature, then recheck the fluid level, and refill if necessary to adjust the fluid level until correct level is obtained.
11. Return the vehicle to customer.