
ing gear. This travel pushes and pulls the tie rods to
change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.
Power assist steering provided by the power steer-
ing pump is controlled by an open center, rotary type
control valve which directs oil from the pump to
either side of the integral rack piston upon demand.
Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion
bar which initially steers the vehicle. As required
steering effort increases, as in a turn, the torsion bar
twists, causing relative rotary motion between the
rotary valve body and the valve spool. This move-
ment directs oil behind the integral rack piston
which, in turn, builds up hydraulic pressure and
assists in the turning effort.
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be main-
tained if power steering assist is lost. However,
under this condition, steering effort is significantly
increased.
SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE
PARTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.
REMOVAL - GEAR
CAUTION: Positioning the steering column in the
locked position will prevent the clockspring from
being accidentally over-extended when the steering
column is disconnected from the intermediate
steering coupler.
(1) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-
voir.
(2) Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as
possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.
(3) With the ignition key in the locked position
turn the steering wheel to the left until the steering
wheel is in the locked position.
(4) With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the
steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear
intermediate coupler (Fig. 2).(5) Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubri-
cation and Maintenance section of this service man-
ual, for the required lifting procedure to be used for
this vehicle.
(6) Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
(7) Remove hoses at power steering cooler and
allow fluid to drain.
(8) On both sides of vehicle, remove nut attaching
outer tie rod end to steering knuckle (Fig. 3).
Remove nut by holding tie rod end stud with a
socket while loosening and removing nut with
wrench.
(9) Remove both tie rod ends from steering knuck-
les, using Puller, Special Tool C-3894±A (Fig. 4).
(10) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note
the location of the various sizes.
(11) Remove the bolts attaching the cradle cross-
member reinforcement to the front suspension cradle
crossmember (Fig. 5). Remove the 2 bolts fastening
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
the body of the vehicle. Remove the reinforcement.
(12) If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-
Drive, remove the power transfer unit (Refer to 21 -
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/POWER TRANSFER
UNIT - REMOVAL).
Fig. 2 Steering Column Shaft To Intermediate Shaft
Attachment
1 - STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLER
2 - NUT
3 - SAFETY PIN
4 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
5 - PINCH BOLT
19 - 18 GEARRS
GEAR (Continued)

(transmission fluid) this indicates that the Transmis-
sion differential carrier seal should be replaced. If
the fluid leaking is light brown (gear lube) this indi-
cates that the Power Transfer Unit input seal should
be replaced. For replacement of these seals refer to
Power Transfer Unit Service Procedures.
If fluid is leaking from weep hole B (Fig. 5) the
type of fluid leaking will determine which seal is
leaking. If the fluid leaking is red in color (transmis-
sion fluid) this indicates that the input shaft end seal
should be replaced. If the fluid leaking is light brown
(gear lube) this indicates that the half shaft innerseal and P.T.U. input shaft cover seal should be
replaced. For replacement of these seals refer to
Power Transfer Unit Service Procedures.
Before condemning any seal or gasket be sure that
the rear rocker arm cover on the engine is not the
cause of the oil leak. Oil leaking from the rocker arm
cover is easily mistaken for a leaking Power Transfer
Unit.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - FLUID LEVEL
INSPECTION
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Remove PTU inspection plug (Fig. 6).
(3) Fluid level should be within 3/16º from bottom
of inspection hole. Add Moparž Gear and Axle Lubri-
cant 80W-90 as necessary with suitable suction gun
(Fig. 7).
(4) Install inspection plug and torque to 20 N´m
(180 in. lbs.) torque.
(5) Lower vehicle.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PTU FLUID CHANGE
NOTE: PTU Fluid should be changed upon servic-
ing the unit, or at the unit's regular scheduled inter-
val. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES - DESCRIPTION)
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Remove PTU inspection plug (Fig. 8).
Fig. 3 Seal Location
1 - INPUT SHAFT
2 - OUTPUT SHAFT
3 - REAR COVER
4 - P.T.U. CASE
5 - INPUT SHAFT SEAL
Fig. 4 Seal Location
1 - P.T.U. INPUT SHAFT COVER SEAL
2 - HALF SHAFT INNER SEAL
3 - INSIDE VIEW OF P.T.U. END COVER
Fig. 5 Weep Hole Locations
1 - ENGINE OIL PAN
2 - WEEP HOLE ªAº
3 - TRANSAXLE CASE
4 - P.T.U.
5 - WEEP HOLE ªBº
21 - 4 POWER TRANSFER UNITRS
POWER TRANSFER UNIT (Continued)

REMOVAL.............................118
INSTALLATION..........................118
THROTTLE VALVE CABLE
REMOVAL.............................118
INSTALLATION..........................118
ADJUSTMENTS.........................120
TORQUE CONVERTER
DESCRIPTION..........................120
OPERATION............................123
REMOVAL.............................125
INSTALLATION..........................125
TRANSFER SYSTEM - OUTPUT SHAFT/GEAR/
BEARING
REMOVAL.............................126
INSTALLATION..........................129
ADJUSTMENTS.........................132TRANSFER SYSTEM - TRANSFER SHAFT/
GEAR/BEARING
REMOVAL.............................134
INSTALLATION..........................137
ADJUSTMENTS.........................142
VALVE BODY
REMOVAL.............................142
DISASSEMBLY..........................145
CLEANING.............................151
INSPECTION...........................152
ASSEMBLY............................152
INSTALLATION..........................155
ADJUSTMENTS.........................157
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR/PINION GEAR
REMOVAL.............................157
INSTALLATION..........................157
AUTOMATIC - 31TH
DESCRIPTION
This transaxle combines torque converter, three
speed transmission, final drive gearing, and differen-
tial into a front wheel drive system.
Within this transaxle, there are three 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 between the main rotating parts
in these three areas are held precise to maintain a
low noise level.
The torque converter, transaxle area, and differen-
tial are housed in an integral aluminum die casting.
The differential oil sump is common with the
transaxle sump. Separate filling of the differen-
tial is NOT necessary.
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 a remote cooler. There are two types of
coolers used. An oil-to-water type cooler located in
the radiator side tank and/or an oil-to-air heat
exchanger. 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 assembly.Engine torque is transmitted to the torque con-
verter and 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 section.
The transaxle consists of:
²Two multiple-disc clutches
²An overrunning clutch
²Two servos
²A hydraulic accumulator
²Two bands
²Two planetary gear sets
This provides three forward ratios and a reverse
ratio. The common sun gear of the planetary gear
sets is connected to the front clutch by a driving
shell. The driving shell is splined to the sun gear and
front clutch retainer. The hydraulic system consists
of an oil pump and a single valve body which con-
tains 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 helical gears to
the transfer shaft. This gear set is a factor in the
transaxle final drive (axle) ratio. The shaft also car-
ries the governor and parking sprag. An integral heli-
cal gear on the transfer shaft drives the differential
ring gear.
21 - 22 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
WHINE/NOISE
RELATED TO ENGINE
SPEED1. Fluid Level Low. 1. Add fluid and check for leaks.
2. Shift Cable Incorrect Routing. 2. Check shift cable for correct routing.
Should not touch engine or bell housing.
TORQUE CONVERTER
LOCKS UP IN
SECOND AND/OR
THIRD GEARLockup Solenoid, Relay or Wiring
Shorted/Open.Test solenoid, relay and wiring for
continuity, shorts or grounds. Replace
solenoid and relay if faulty. Repair wiring
and connectors as necessary.
HARSH 1-2 OR 2-3
SHIFTSLockup Solenoid Malfunction. Remove valve body and replace solenoid
assembly.
NO START IN PARK
OR NEUTRAL1. Gearshift Linkage/Cable Misadjusted. 1. Adjust linkage/cable.
2. Neutral Switch Wire Open/Cut. 2. Check continuity with test lamp. Repair
as required.
3. Neutral Switch Faulty. 3. Refer to service section for test and
replacement procedure.
4. Neutral Switch Connect Faulty. 4. Connectors spread open. Repair.
5. Valve Body Manual Lever Assembly
Bent/Worn/Broken.5. Inspect lever assembly and replace if
damaged.
NO REVERSE (OR
SLIPS IN REVERSE)1. Direct Clutch Pack (front clutch) Worn. 1. Disassemble unit and rebuild clutch
pack.
2. Rear Band Misadjusted. 2. Adjust band.
3. Front Clutch Malfunctioned/Burnt. 3. Air pressure test clutch operation.
Remove and rebuild if necessary.
OIL LEAKS (ITEMS
LISTED REPRESENT
POSSIBLE LEAK
POINTS AND SHOULD
ALL BE CHECKED.1. Fluid Lines and Fittings Loose/Leaks/
Damaged.1. Tighten fittings. If leaks persist, replace
fittings and lines if necessary.
2. Filler Tube (where tube enters case)
Leaks/Damaged.2. Replace tube seal. Inspect tube for
cracks in tube.
3. Pressure Port Plug Loose Loose/
Damaged.3. Tighten to correct torque. Replace plug
or reseal if leak persists.
4. Pan Gasket Leaks. 4. Tighten pan screws to 150 inch
pounds. If leaks persist, replace gasket.
Do no over tighten screws.
5. Valve Body Manual Lever Shaft Seal
Leaks/Worn.5. Replace shaft seal.
6. Rear Bearing Access Plate Leaks. 6. Replace gasket. Tighten screws.
7. Gasket Damaged or Bolts are Loose. 7. Replace bolts or gasket or tighten both.
8. Adapter/Extension Gasket Damaged
Leaks/Damaged.8. Replace gasket.
9. Neutral Switch Leaks/Damaged. 9. Replace switch and gasket.
10. Converter Housing Area Leaks. 10. Check for leaks at seal caused by
worn seal or burr on converter hub
(cutting seal), worn bushing, missing oil
return, oil in front pump housing or hole
plugged. Check for leaks past O-ring seal
on pump or past pump-to-case bolts;
pump housing porous, oil coming out vent
due to overfill or leak past front band shaft
access plug.
21 - 30 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS
AUTOMATIC - 31TH (Continued)

(5) Low line pressure in all positions indicates a
defective pump, a clogged filter, or a stuck pressure
regulator valve.
GOVERNOR PRESSURE
Test only if transaxle shifts at wrong vehicle
speeds when throttle cable is correctly adjusted.
(1) Connect a 100 psi gauge to governor pressure
port. It is located at lower right side of case, below
differential cover (Fig. 2).
(2) Operate transaxle in third gear to read pres-
sures. The governor pressure should respond
smoothly to changes in mph and should return to 0
to 3 psi when vehicle is stopped. High pressure
(above 3 psi) at standstill will prevent the transaxle
from downshifting.
THROTTLE PRESSURE
No gauge port is provided for throttle pressure.
Incorrect throttle pressure should be suspected if
part throttle upshift speeds are either delayed or
occur too early in relation to vehicle speed. Engine
runaway on shifts can also be an indicator of low
throttle pressure setting, or misadjusted throttle
cable.
In no case should throttle pressure be adjusted
until the transaxle throttle cable adjustment has
been verified to be correct.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TORQUE
CONVERTER HOUSING FLUID LEAKAGE
When diagnosing converter housing fluid leaks,
three actions must be taken before repair:
(1) Verify proper transmission fluid level.
(2) Verify that the leak originates from the con-
verter housing area and is transmission fluid.
(3) Determine the true source of the leak.
Fluid leakage at or around the torque converter
area may originate from an engine oil leak (Fig. 3).
The area should be examined closely. Factory fill
fluid is red and, therefore, can be distinguished from
engine oil.
Some suspected converter housing fluid leaks may
not be leaks at all. They may only be the result of
residual fluid in the converter housing, or excess
fluid spilled during factory fill, or fill after repair.
Converter housing leaks have several potential
sources. Through careful observation, a leak source
can be identified before removing the transmission
for repair.
Pump seal leaks tend to move along the drive hub
and onto the rear of the converter (Fig. 3). Pump
o-ring or pump body leaks follow the same path as a
seal leak. Pump attaching bolt leaks are generally
deposited on the inside of the converter housing and
not on the converter itself. Pump seal or gasket leaksusually travel down the inside of the converter hous-
ing (Fig. 3).
TORQUE CONVERTER LEAKAGE
Possible sources of torque converter leakage are:
²Torque converter weld leaks at the outside diam-
eter weld (Fig. 4).
²Torque converter hub weld (Fig. 4).
Fig. 3 Converter Housing Leak Paths
1 - PUMP SEAL
2 - PUMP VENT
3 - PUMP BOLT
4 - PUMP GASKET
5 - CONVERTER HOUSING
6 - CONVERTER
7 - REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK
Fig. 4 Converter Leak PointsÐTypical
1 - OUTSIDE DIAMETER WELD
2 - TORQUE CONVERTER HUB WELD
3 - STARTER RING GEAR
4 - LUG
21 - 34 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS
AUTOMATIC - 31TH (Continued)

KICKDOWN SERVO (FRONT)
Direct air pressure into KICKDOWN SERVO ON
passage. Operation of servo is indicated by a tighten-
ing of front band. Spring tension on servo piston
should release the band.
LOW AND REVERSE SERVO (REAR)
Direct air pressure into LOW-REVERSE SERVO
APPLY passage. Operation of servo is indicated by a
tightening of rear band. Spring tension on servo pis-
ton should release the band.
If clutches and servos operate properly, no upshift
indicates that a malfunction exists in the valve body.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ALUMINUM
THREAD REPAIR
Damaged or worn threads in the aluminum trans-
axle case and valve body can be repaired by the use
of Heli-Coils, or equivalent. This repair consists of
drilling out the worn-out damaged threads. Then tap-
ping the hole with a 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 battery negative cable.
(2) Remove fluid level indicator tube bolt and tube/
indicator assembly (Fig. 6). Plug opening to prevent
debris intrusion.
(3) Disconnect torque converter clutch solenoid
(TCC) connector.
(4) Disconnect kickdown cable from lever and
bracket (Fig. 7). Position out of way.
(5) Disconnect gearshift cable from manual valve
lever and upper mount bracket (Fig. 8). Position out
of way.
(6) Disconnect back-up lamp switch connector.
(7) Remove upper two (2) transaxle-to-engine bolts.
(8) Remove three (3) rear mount bracket-to-trans-
axle case bolts (Fig. 9).
(9) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(10) Remove halfshafts. (Refer to 3 - DIFFEREN-
TIAL & DRIVELINE/HALF SHAFT - REMOVAL)
(11) Remove starter motor assembly (Fig. 10).
Fig. 6 Fluid Level Indicator Assembly
1 - INDICATOR ASSEMBLY
2 - BOLT
3 - KICKDOWN CABLE BRACKET
4 - SEAL
Fig. 7 Throttle Valve Cable at Transaxle
1 - LEVER
2 - BRACKET
3 - THROTTLE VALVE CABLE
21 - 36 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS
AUTOMATIC - 31TH (Continued)

(12) Remove front mount and bracket (Fig. 11).
(13) Cut transaxle oil cooler lines flush with fit-
tings. a service kit will be installed upon reintalla-
tion. Plug lines and fittings to prevent debris
intrusion.
(14) Remove structural collar (Fig. 12).
(15) Disconnect vehicle speed sensor connector.
(16) Remove rear mount shield (Fig. 13).
(17) Remove rear mount thru-bolt.
(18) Support engine with screw jack and wood
block.
(19) Remove cradle plate.
(20) Remove torque converter-to-drive plate bolts.
(21) Remove left wheel splash shield.
(22) Remove left upper mount thru-bolt (Fig. 14).
(23) Lower engine/transaxle assembly.
(24) Obtain transmission jack and helper.
(25) Remove remaining transaxle-to-engine bolts
and remove transaxle assembly from vehicle.
Fig. 11 Front Mount and Bracket
1 - BRACKET - FRONT MOUNT
2 - NUT
3 - BOLT
4 - MOUNT - FRONT INSULATOR
5 - BOLT
6 - BOLT
7 - FRONT CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 12 Structural Collar
1 - BOLT - COLLAR TO OIL PAN
2 - BOLT - COLLAR TO TRANSAXLE
3 - STRUCTURAL COLLAR
4 - OIL PAN
Fig. 13 Rear Mount Heat Shield
1 - BOLT - HEAT SHIELD
2 - HEAT SHIELD
3 - CLIP
4 - REAR MOUNT
21 - 38 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS
AUTOMATIC - 31TH (Continued)

(40) Install oil filter and gasket into position (Fig.
93).
(41) Install oil filter-to-valve body screws (Fig. 94)
and torque to 5 N´m (45 in. lbs.) torque.
(42) Install an 1/8º bead of Moparž Silicone Rub-
ber Adhesive Sealant to the transaxle oil pan (Fig.
95). Install oil pan to case and immediately install
and torque oil pan-to-case bolts (Fig. 96) to 19 N´m
(165 in. lbs.) torque.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install transaxle assembly to engine using a
transmission jack and helper.
(2) Install and torque transaxle-to-engine bolts to
95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.).
(3) Using screw jack and wood block, raise engine/
transaxle assembly into position and install left
upper mount thru-bolt (Fig. 97). Torque bolt to 75
N´m (55 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 93 Oil Filter and Gasket
1 - OIL FILTER
2 - GASKET
3 - VALVE BODY
Fig. 94 Oil Filter Screws
1 - SCREWDRIVER HANDLE
2 - SPECIAL TOOL L-4553
3 - OIL FILTER SCREWS (2)
4 - OIL FILTER
Fig. 95 Transaxle Oil Pan
1 - TRANSAXLE OIL PAN
2 - OIL FILTER
Fig. 96 Transaxle Oil Pan Bolts
1 - TRANSAXLE OIL PAN
2 - OIL PAN BOLTS
RSAUTOMATIC - 31TH21-59
AUTOMATIC - 31TH (Continued)