Standard Procedure; Removal - Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual

21 - 282 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE (Continued)
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ALUMINUM
THREAD REPAIR
Damaged or worn threads in the aluminum trans-
mission case and valve body can be repaired by the
use of Heli-Coils™, or equivalent. This repair con-
sists of drilling out the worn-out damaged threads.
Then tap the hole with a special Heli-Coil™ tap, or
equivalent, and installing a Heli-Coil™ insert, or
equivalent, into the hole. This brings the hole back to
its original thread size.
Heli-Coil™, or equivalent, tools and inserts are
readily available from most automotive parts suppli-
ers.

REMOVAL

The overdrive unit can be removed and serviced
separately. It is not necessary to remove the entire
transmission assembly to perform overdrive unit
repairs.
CAUTION: The transmission and torque converter
must be removed as an assembly to avoid compo-
nent damage. The converter driveplate, pump bush-
ing, or oil seal can be damaged if the converter is
left attached to the driveplate during removal. Be
sure to remove the transmission and converter as
an assembly.
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Hoist and support vehicle.
(3) Remove skid plate, if equipped.
(4) Remove skid plate support crossmember, if
equipped.
(5) Disconnect and lower or remove necessary
exhaust components.
(6) Mark propeller shaft and axle companion
flanges for assembly alignment. Then disconnect and
remove propeller shaft. (Refer to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL
& DRIVELINE/PROPELLER SHAFT/PROPELLER
SHAFT - REMOVAL)
(7) Remove starter motor. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - REMOVAL)
(8) Support engine with suitable support stand
and wood block.
(9) Remove bolts attaching engine-to-transmission
brackets to transmission.
(10) Remove bolt and nut attaching each engine-
to-transmission bracket to the motor mounts.
(11) Remove bolts holding the engine-to-transmis-
sion brackets to the front axle, if equipped.
(12) Loosen bolts attaching engine-to-transmission
brackets to each side of the engine block.
(13) Raise engine slightly.
(14) Remove torque converter access cover.
(15) Tighten bolts attaching engine-to-transmis-
sion brackets to each side of the engine block.
(16) Lower engine.
(17) Disconnect fluid cooler lines at transmission.
(18) If transmission is being removed for overhaul,
remove transmission oil pan, drain fluid and reinstall
pan.
(19) Remove fill tube bracket bolts and pull tube
out of transmission. Retain fill tube seal. On 4x4
models, it will also be necessary to remove bolt
attaching transfer case vent tube to converter hous-
ing (Fig. 13).
Fig. 13 Fill Tube Attachment
1 - TRANSFER CASE VENT TUBE
2 - FILL TUBE (V8)
3 - TUBE SEAL
4 - FILL TUBE (V6)
(20) Rotate crankshaft in clockwise direction until
converter bolts are accessible. Then remove bolts one
at a time. Rotate crankshaft with socket wrench on
dampener bolt.
(21) Disconnect wires from the transmission range
sensor and transmission solenoids connector.
(22) Disconnect throttle valve cable from transmis-
sion bracket and throttle valve lever.
(23) On 4x4 models, disconnect shift rod from
transfer case shift lever. Or remove shift lever from
transfer case and tie rod and lever to chassis compo-
nent with wire.
(24) Raise transmission slightly with service jack
to relieve load on crossmember and supports.
(25) Remove bolts securing rear support and cush-
ion to transmission and crossmember. Raise trans-
mission slightly, slide exhaust hanger arm from
bracket (Fig. 14) and remove rear support.
(26) Remove bolts attaching crossmember to frame
and remove crossmember.
(27) On 4x4 models, disconnect vent hose from
transfer case. Then remove transfer case.
(28) Remove all converter housing bolts.
AN