DIY Grand Am Transmission Removal

Grand Am transmission removal requires basic tools.

Pontiac Grand Ams have been an American car staple since the early 1970s. Transmission repairs on your Grand Am, however, can be very expensive if you take your car to a mechanic. You can save money on a big repair job by removing the transmission yourself; you just need some basic automotive tools and a transmission jack. This jack can be rented by the day from an equipment rental company.

Things You'll Need

• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Socket wrench set
• Transmission jack

Instructions

1. Lift your car with a floor jack and position it securely on jack stands on a level surface.

2. Take out the shift linkage and throttle kick down from the transmission. Any vacuum hoses on your car's transmission will need to be removed as well. Take off the speedometer cable, too.

3. Slide the rear U-joint very carefully from the back of the car.

4. Position the transmission jack beneath the transmission and slightly lift up the transmission before letting the pressure off. It will rise a few inches giving you room to work.

5. Remove the lower bell housing, all of the torque converter bolts and any bell housing bolts with a socket wrench.

6. Remove the rear transmission mount and cross member bolts with the wrench. Lift the transmission with the transmission jack to take out the cross member.

7. Lower the transmission carefully with the transmission jack while simultaneously rolling it toward the rear of the car.

References

• "General Motors: Chevrolet Malibu (1997 thru 2003) Oldsmobile Alero (1999 thru 2003) Oldsmobile Cutlass (1997-2000) Pontiac Grand Am (1999 thru 2003) (Haynes Manuals)"; Haynes; 2005