Removal - Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual

AN
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 45RFE (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

(1) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
(2) Raise and support the vehicle
(3) Remove any necessary skid plates. (Refer to 13
- FRAMES & BUMPERS/FRAME/TRANSFER CASE
SKID PLATE - REMOVAL)
(4) Mark propeller shaft and axle companion
flanges for assembly alignment.
(5) Remove the rear propeller shaft
(6) Remove the front propeller shaft, if necessary.
(7) Remove the engine to transmission collar (Fig.
8).
Fig. 8 Transmission Collar
1 - ENGINE
2 - ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION COLLAR
3 - TRANSMISSION
(8) Remove the exhaust support bracket from the
rear of the transmission.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 45RFE
(9) Disconnect and lower or remove any necessary
exhaust components.
(10) Remove the starter motor.
(11) 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.
(12) Disconnect wires from solenoid and pressure
switch assembly, input and output speed sensors, and
line pressure sensor.
(13) Disconnect gearshift cable from transmission
manual valve lever (Fig. 9).
Fig. 9 Transmission Shift Cable
1 - SHIFT CABLE
2 - MANUAL LEVER
3 - MANUAL LEVER
(14) Disconnect transmission fluid cooler lines at
transmission fittings and clips.
(15) Disconnect the transmission vent hose from
the transmission.
(16) Support rear of engine with safety stand or
jack.
(17) Raise transmission slightly with service jack
to relieve load on crossmember and supports.
(18) Remove bolts securing rear support and cush-
ion to transmission and crossmember (Fig. 10).
(19) Remove bolts attaching crossmember to frame
and remove crossmember.
(20) Remove transfer case.
(21) Remove all remaining converter housing bolts.
(22) Carefully work transmission and torque con-
verter assembly rearward off engine block dowels.
(23) Hold torque converter in place during trans-
mission removal.
(24) Lower transmission and remove assembly
from under the vehicle.
(25) To remove torque converter, carefully slide
torque converter out of the transmission.
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