bolts and nut on locating stud (Fig. 2). The right rear
crossmember stud is a pilot that correctly locates
the crossmember. Tighten down this bolt first,
then torque all 4 crossmember fasteners to 122
N Im (90 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: Proper torque on the crossmember to
frame rail mounting bolts is very important.
(3) Torque the 4 bolts (Fig. 3) attaching the steering
gear assembly to front crossmember, to 68 N Im (50 ft.
lbs.). To ensure proper alignment of the steering
gear tighten left front bolt first. (4) Attach the engine damper strut from the engine
to the crossmember (if so equipped). (5) Attach the fluid tubes (Fig. 3) from the power
steering pump to the fittings on the steering gear.
Torque the fluid pressure line to steering gear tube nut
to 31 N Im (275 in. lbs.).
(6) Mount the outer tie rod ends to the steering
knuckles. Install the tie rod end to steering knuckle
attaching nuts. Torque the tie rod end to steering
knuckle nuts to 52 N Im (38 ft. lbs.). Install cotter pin
in tie rod end. (7) Install the front tire and wheel assemblies on
vehicle. Install the wheel lug nuts and torque to 129
N Im (95 ft. lbs.).
(8) Lower vehicle.
CAUTION: Do not use automatic transmission fluid. (9) Fill power steering pump fluid reservoir to the
(Full-Cold) proper level. (10) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds.
Then turn the engine off.
(11) Add fluid if necessary.
(12) Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
(13) Start engine and turn steering wheel several
times from stop to stop to bleed air from fluid in
system. Stop engine, check fluid level, and inspect
system for leaks. Fill pump reservoir to correct
level with Mopar t, Power Steering Fluid, or
equivalent. See Checking Fluid Level.
(14) Lower front wheels of vehicle back on the
ground. (15) Adjust toe (Refer to Group 2 Suspension).
OUTER TIE ROD
REMOVAL
(1) Loosen inner tie rod to outer tie rod jam nut (Fig.
4). (2) Remove outer tie rod to steering knuckle cotter
pin and attaching nut (Fig. 4). (4) Remove the tie rod end from steering knuckles, using Puller Special Tool C-3894-A (Fig. 5).
(5) Remove outer tie rod from inner tie rod.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install outer tie rod onto inner tie rod. Make
sure jam nut is on inner tie rod (Fig. 4). (2) Do not tighten jam nut.
(3) Install outer tie rod onto steering knuckle. In-
stall tie rod to steering knuckle attaching nut and
torque to 52 N Im (38 ft.lbs.).
CAUTION: During this procedure do not allow the
steering gear boot to become twisted. (See Wheel
Alignment in the suspension section of this service
manual).
(4) Make toe adjustment by turning inner tie rod.
(5) Tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut to 75
N Im (55 ft. lbs.) torque. Lubricate tie rod boot groove
with silicone type lubricant before installing outer
boot clamp, making sure boot is not twisted.
Fig. 4 Outer Tie Rod
Fig. 5 Tie Rod End Removal
Ä STEERING 19 - 27
The Acustar tilt and standard column (Fig. 1) has
been designed to be serviced as an assembly; less wir-
ing, switches, shrouds, steering wheel, etc. Also, most
steering column components can be serviced without re-
moving the steering column from the vehicle.
CAUTION: Disconnect negative (ground) cable from
battery, before servicing any column component.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot pins
to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Damage will
occur.
STEERING COLUMN SERVICE PROCEDURES
To service the steering wheel and its components
or the air bag, refer to Group 8M, Restraint Systems.
Follow all WARNINGS. To service the switches, refer to the appropriate
section of Group 8, Electrical.
To replace the steering column assembly, refer to the
steering column removal procedure. For location of com-
ponents referred to in the procedure see (Fig. 1).
WARNING: BEFORE BEGINNING ANY AIR BAG
SYSTEM COMPONENT INSTALLATION OR RE-
MOVAL PROCEDURES. REMOVE AND ISOLATE
THE NEGATIVE (-) BATTERY CABLE (GROUND)
FROM THE VEHICLE BATTERY. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.
FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL
(1) Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are
in the straight ahead position.
(2) Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from
the battery and isolate cable. (3) For vehicles equipped with a column shift. Dis-
connect the transmission shift cable from the steer-
ing column by prying it out of the grommet in the
shift lever (Fig. 2). (4) Remove the steering wheel center pad. Discon-
nect electrical components such as horn lead, air bag
lead and speed control switch lead (if equipped) from
center pad (Fig. 3). (5) Remove the steering wheel retaining nut from
the steering column shaft. Remove steering wheel
from shaft using Puller, Special Tool C-3428-B (Fig.
4). Do not bump or hammer on steering column
shaft to remove wheel. (6) Remove the lower steering column cover (Fig.
5). (7) Remove the retaining pin in the upper to lower
steering coupler retaining bolt (Fig. 6).
Fig. 2 Shift Cable Removal From Grommet
Fig. 3 Horn Pad Removal (Typical)
Fig. 4 Removing Steering Wheel (Typical)
19 - 30 STEERING Ä
(3) Position the steering column assembly in the
vehicle. Align the steering column assembly mounting
bracket slots on the brake pedal bracket attaching
studs (Fig. 13). Install, but loose assemblethe two
upper column bracket, washers and nuts.
(4) Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-
ahead position. Align and assemble the upper steering
coupler to lower steering coupler. Install the upper to
lower steering coupler retaining bolt and nut. Torque
the retaining bolt nut to 28 N Im (250 in. lbs.). Be sure
to install the upper to lower steering coupler
retaining bolt retention pin (Fig. 6). (5) Install the buttons which retain the multi func-
tion switch wiring harness to the steering column.
Connect the multi-function switch wiring harness con-
nector to the multi-function switch. Torque the connec-
tor retaining bolt to 2 N Im (17 in. lbs) usin ga7mm
socket (Fig. 8). (6) Install the upper fixed shroud onto the steering
column assembly. (7) Be sure both breakaway capsules are fully seated
in the slots of the steering column upper support
bracket. Torque the 2 upper steering column assembly
to support bracket nuts to 12 N Im (105 in. lbs.). Torque
the 2 lower steering column assembly to mounting
bracket nuts to 12 N Im (105 in. lbs.).
(8) Complete the wiring harness connections to the
remaining steering column switches (Fig. 9). Install
the lower fixed shroud onto the steering column.
(9) Route the PRNDL actuator assembly under left
steering column wing and along left side of steering
column. Insert the flange of the PRNDL actuator steering
column insert into the steering column jacket (Fig. 7).
Squeeze the legs of the steering column insert together
and install tabs under steering column jacket. Engage
lock bar to secure the actuator assembly into the steering
column jacket (Fig. 7). (10) Hook the PRNDL actuator cable eyelet to the
steering column actuator arm (Fig. 7). Move the shift
lever to neutral, check pointer location, should indicate neutral. If pointer does not indicate neutral adjust actua-
tor with tool (Fig. 14) to center pointer on N (Neutral) and
then check pointer location in other gears.
(11) Install the lock housing shrouds. The shroud
fasteners are Torx-headscrews. Install the tilt lever
(if equipped). (12) Install the lower dash panel cover.
(13) For steering wheel installation with speed con-
trol refer to Group 8 Electrical. For non-speed control,
place the steering wheel on the steering column shaft
with the master splines aligned. Install the steering
wheel to column shaft retaining nut. Tighten retaining
nut to 61 N Im (45 ft. lbs.) torque. Do not force the
steering wheel onto the column shaft by driving
it on with a heavy object. Pull steering wheel
down onto column shaft using ONLY the steering
wheel retaining nut.
(14) For vehicles equipped with a column shift. Pass
the transmission shift cable through its mounting bracket
on the steering column assembly. Connect the transmis-
sion shift cable to the shift lever on the steering column
assembly. Install the shift cable to mounting bracket
retaining clip (Fig. 2). The grommet must be installed
in the shift lever (Fig. 11) before the cable is in-
serted into the grommet. Use MopartMultipurpose
Lubricant, or an equivalent product, to aid installation of
shift link rod into grommet.
(15) Re-adjust the transmission shift linkage.
Whenever the steering column is loosened or
removed, the shift linkage MUST be adjusted and
tested. Refer to Group 21 Transmission for the shift
linkage adjustment procedure.
Fig. 13 Steering Column Mounting
Fig. 14 PRNDL Actuator Cable Adjustment
Ä STEERING 19 - 33
(16) Connect the battery ground (negative) cable.
Test the operation of the lights and horns. If applica-
ble, reset the clock and radio.
STEERING COLUMN COMPONENT SERVICE
The Acustar tilt and standard steering columns
(Fig.1) have been designed to be serviced as an as-
sembly; less wiring, switches, shrouds, steering
wheel, etc. Also most steering column components
can be serviced without removing the steering col-
umn from the vehicle. For additional information on
electrical components refer to Group 8H Electrical.
GEAR SHIFT LEVER
The gear shift lever (if equipped) is a serviceable
component of the Acustar steering column assembly.
REMOVE (1) Support the steering column assembly as
shown in (Fig. 1) using a suitable size socket. (2) Using a drift of the appropriate size drive the
roll pin out of the steering column and gear shift le-
ver (Fig. 1). Remove the gear shift lever from the
steering column assembly.
INSTALL (1) Support the steering column assembly as
shown in (Fig. 1) using a suitable size socket. (2) Install the gear shift lever into the steering col-
umn assembly. Align the roll pin holes in the gear
shift lever and the steering column assembly. (3) Carefully Install the roll pin into the steering
column assembly and through the shift lever. If the
roll pin binds check the alignment on the holes. Be
sure roll pin is fully installed into the steering col-
umn assembly.
IGNITION SWITCH SERVICE
TEST AND REPAIR
If the ignition switch effort seems to be excessive
due to binding. Follow the procedure outlined below
to determine the cause.
When service procedures are performed on the
Acustar steering column there are certain areas of the
column that can not be tampered with. If a problem re-
lated to these areas of the steering column are detected.
The entire steering column (less the removable compo-
nents) should be replaced see (Fig. 2 and 3).
(1) Remove ignition switch from steering column.
Refer to Group 8H Electrical.
(2) Using a key cylinder, check the turning effort
of the switch.
² If the ignition switch binds look for the following
conditions.
Fig. 1 Gear Shift Lever Removal
Fig. 2 Steering Column Non-Serviceable Components
19 - 34 STEERING Ä
CAUTION: Be sure crossover bellcrank does NOT
move when tightening adjusting screw (Fig. 10).
CAUTION: Proper torque to the crossover cable ad-
justing screw is very important (Fig. 10).
(6) Remove lock pin from gearshift housing and re-
install lock pin (so long end is up) in gear shift hous-
ing. Tighten lock pin to 8 N Im (70 in. lbs.).
(7) Check for shift into first and reverse.
(8) Gearshift mechanism and cables are now func-
tioning properly.
IN-CAR TRANSAXLE DISASSEMBLE/ASSEMBLE
The following items can be serviced without remov-
ing the transaxle from the vehicle:
² Gear shift housing
² Synchronizers
² Intermediate shaft speed gears
² Input shaft
² Reverse idler gear and shaft
² Shift forks and pads
² Shift rails ²
Roller detents
² Speedometer pinion
² All external covers
Observe following procedure:
(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.
(2) Remove both shift cables from shift cover levers.
(3) Remove left front wheel and tire assembly and
left splash shield. (4) Place drain pan under transaxle and remove
transaxle rear end cover. (5) Push out the fifth fork roll pin and slide the fifth
fork and synchronizer sleeve off the rail/hub. (6) Remove the fifth hub snap ring, hub assembly
and speed gear. (7) Remove fifth gear nut and fifth input gear.
(8) Remove the bearing retainer plate, interlock
plate and shuttles.
CAUTION: Before removing the gearshift housing
assembly, reverse the lock pin (so the long end is
down) and insert lock pin into the same threaded
hole. This procedure will save time when the gear
shift housing assembly is reinstalled. (9) Remove selector shaft housing bolts (note the two
pilot bolts) and remove housing. (10) Remove roller detents and springs, noting that
the rollers align with the shift rails. (11) Push out the 1-2 and 3-4 lug roll pins, remove
the reverse pivot lever and fifth rail C-Clip. If a roll
pin or C-Clip falls, be sure to remove it from the
bottom of the case. (12) Pull out the fifth shift rail and remove the fifth
shift lug and interlock pin. If the pin falls, be sure to
remove it from the bottom of the case. (13) Remove the intermediate shaft ball bearing
snap ring and the bearing support plate. (14) Remove reverse shift rail and lug assembly.
(15) Remove the reverse idler shaft and gear assem-
bly. (16) Rotate the 1-2 shift lug and rail, and 3-4 shift
lug towards the front of the vehicle. (17) Firmly grasp both the input and intermediate
shaft assemblies and pull them out of the transmission
with the 1-2 and 3-4 shift rails, lugs and forks. The differential assembly can only be serviced
by removing the complete transaxle from the
vehicle because bearing preload must be reset. The components listed in the first paragraph can now
be serviced. Refer to the appropriate subassembly
recondition section.
To reassemble the transaxle in the vehicle, reverse
the above procedure using the proper sealants. Fill the
transaxle with SAE 5W-30 engine oil to the bottom of
the fill hole in the end cover.
Fig. 9 Install Cables
Fig. 10 Adjusting Crossover Cable
21 - 4 TRANSAXLE Ä
TRANSAXLE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Transaxle removal does not require engine re-
moval. After installing transaxle, fill transaxle to bottom of
fill plug hole with SAE 5W-30 engine oil before lower-
ing vehicle to floor. (1) Disconnect or connect negativebattery cable.
(2) Install a lifting eyeon battery ground strap bolt
on left side of engine. Then install the engine support
fixture as shown in Figure 1.
(3) Disconnect or connect gearshift cables at tran-
saxle. Disconnect speedometer. Disconnect or connect
gearshift cables bracket at transaxle. (4) Remove or install both front wheel and tire
assemblies. (5) Remove or install left front splash shield.
(6) Remove or install engine left mount from tran-
saxle.
CAUTION:Left engine mounting bolts used in posi-
tion number 1 and number 3 are the same length. The
bolt in the number 2 position is longer. If bolt number
2 is used in position number 3 it can damage the
selector shaft housing when the bolt is seated (Fig.
2).
(7) Remove or install anti-rotational link (or anti-
hop damper) from crossmember bracket. Do not re-
move bracket from transaxle .
(8) Refer to Group 2 Suspension, to remove or
install both drive shafts. When removing or installing the transaxle, it
may be helpful to use locating pins in place of the
top transaxle to engine bolts (Fig. 3).
Make the locating pins from two stock (transaxle
case to engine block) bolts as follows: Using a hacksaw,
remove bolt heads, cut slot in end of bolts for a screw
driver, and remove burrs with a grinding wheel. Install the locating pins into the engine block and
proceed with transaxle installation. After transaxle is
in place, install bolts and remove locating pins before
removing transmission jack.
Fig. 1 Engine Support Fixture
Fig. 2 Left Engine Mount Bolt Location
Fig. 3 Remove or Install Bolts
Ä TRANSAXLE 21 - 5
THREE SPEED TORQUEFLITE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE INDEX
page page
Accumulator-Recondition ................... 67
Aluminum Thread Repair ................... 48
Assembly Subassembly Installation ........... 57
Band Adjustment ......................... 47
Bearing Adjustment Procedures .............. 81
Clutch and Servo Air Pressure Tests .......... 43
Differential Repair ........................ 76
Disassembly Subassembly Removal .......... 50
Fluid and Filter Change .................... 40
Fluid Drain and Refill ..................... 40
Fluid Leakage-Transaxle Torque Converter Housing Area .......................... 44
Fluid Level and Condition .................. 40
Front Clutch-Recondition ................... 62
Front Planetary & Annulus Gear-Recondition .... 65
Gearshift Linkage Adjustment ............... 46
General Information ....................... 35
Governor ............................... 48
Hydraulic Control Pressure Adjustments ....... 47
Hydraulic Pressure Tests ................... 42
Kickdown Servo (Controlled Load)-Recondition . . 67 Low/Reverse Servo-Recondition
.............. 66
Oil Cooler Flow Check .................... 48
Oil Coolers and Tubes Reverse Flushing ...... 48
Oil Pump-Recondition ..................... 62
Output Shaft Repair ...................... 71
Park/Neutral Position and Back-Up Lamp Switch . 47
Parking Pawl ............................ 71
Pump Oil Seal-Replacement ................ 61
Rear Clutch-Recondition ................... 64
Road Test .............................. 40
Selection of Lubricant ..................... 40
Special Additives ......................... 40
Three Speed Torqueflite General Diagnosis ..... 36
Throttle Pressure Linkage Adjustment ......... 46
Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Wiring Connector ............................ 40
Transaxle and Torque Converter Removal ...... 48
Transfer Shaft Repair ..................... 68
Valve Body-Recondition .................... 57
Vehicle Speed Sensor Pinion Gear ........... 47
GENERAL INFORMATION
Safety goggles should be worn at all times
when working on these transaxles. This transaxle combines a fully automatic 3 speed
transmission, final drive gearing, and differential into
a front wheel drive system. The unit is a Metric
design. The identification markings and usage of the
transaxle are charted in Diagnosis and Tests. Transaxle operation requirements are differ-
ent for each vehicle and engine combination and
some internal parts will be different to provide
for this. Therefore, when replacing parts, refer to
the seven digit part number stamped on rear of
the transaxle oil pan flange. Within this transaxle, there are 3 primary areas:
(1) Main center line plus valve body.
(2) Transfer shaft center line (includes governor and
parking sprag). (3) Differential center line. Center distances be-
tween the main rotating parts in these 3 areas are held
precise. This maintains a low noise level through
smooth accurate mesh of the gears. The torque converter, transaxle area, and differential
are housed in an integral aluminum die casting. The
differential oil sump is common with thetransaxle
sump. Separate filling of the differential is NOT nec-
essary. The torque converter is attached to the crankshaft
through a flexible driving plate. Cooling of the con-
verter is accomplished by circulating the transaxle
fluid through an oil-to-water type cooler located in the
radiator side tank and/or an oil-to air heat ex- changer. The torque converter assembly is a sealed
unit that cannot be disassembled.
The transaxle fluid is filtered by an internal filter
attached to the lower side of the valve body assem-
bly. Engine torque is transmitted to the torque con-
verter then, through the input shaft to multiple-disc
clutches in the transaxle. The power flow depends on
the application of the clutches and bands. Refer to
Elements in Use Chart in Diagnosis and Tests sec-
tion. The transaxle consists of two multiple-disc
clutches, an overrunning clutch, two servos, a hy-
draulic accumulator, two bands, and two planetary
gear sets. They provide three forward ratios and a re-
verse ratio. The common sun gear of the planetary
gear sets is connected to the front clutch by a driving
shell. The drive shell is splined to the sun gear and
to the front clutch retainer. The hydraulic system
consists of an oil pump, and a single valve body
which contains all of the valves except the governor
valves. The transaxle sump and differential sump are
both vented through the dipstick.Output torque
from the main center line is delivered through heli-
cal gears to the transfer shaft.This gear set is a
factor of the final drive (axle) ratio. The shaft also
carries the governor and parking sprag. An integral
helical gear on the transfer shaft drives the differen-
tial ring gear. The final drive gearing is completed
with one of three gear sets producing overall top gear
ratios of 2.78, 3.02, or 3.22 depending on model and
application.
Ä TRANSAXLE 21 - 35
Unless the condition is obvious, like no drive in D
range first gear only. The transaxle should never be
disassembled until hydraulic pressure tests have
been performed.
HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TESTS
Pressure testing is a very important step in the di-
agnostic procedure. These tests usually reveal the
cause of most transaxle problems. Before performing pressure tests, be certain that
fluid level and condition, and control cable adjust-
ments have been checked and approved. Fluid must be at operating temperature (150 to 200
degrees F.). Install an engine tachometer, raise vehicle on hoist
which allows front wheels to turn, and position ta-
chometer so it can be read. Disconnect throttle cable and shift cable from tran-
saxle levers so they can be controlled from outside
the vehicle. Attach 150 psi gauges to ports required for test be-
ing conducted. A 300 psi gauge (C-3293) is required
for reverse pressure test at rear servo.
Test port locations are shown in (Fig. 3).
TEST ONE (SELECTOR IN 1)
(1) Attach gauges to lineandlow-reverse ports
(Fig. 3). (2) Operate engine at 1000 rpm for test.
(3) Move selector lever on transaxle all the way
rearward ( 1position).
(4) Read pressures on both gauges as throttle lever
on transaxle is moved from full clockwise position to
full counterclockwise position. (5) Line pressure should read 52 to 58 psi with
throttle lever clockwise and gradually increase, as le-
ver is moved counterclockwise, to 80 to 88 psi. (6) Low-reverse pressure should read the same as
line pressure within 3 psi. (7) This tests pump output, pressure regulation,
and condition of rear clutch and rear servo hydraulic
circuits.
TEST TWO (SELECTOR IN 2)
(1) Attach one gauge to line pressureport and
tee another gauge into lower cooler line fitting. This
will allow you to read lubricationpressure (Fig 3).
(2) Operate engine at 1000 rpm for test.
Fig. 3 Transaxle (Left Side)
21 - 42 TRANSAXLE Ä