transmission replace

Hi all, about ready to start this new project. 1999 grand prix gt NO turbo.
trans is bad. I have all the tools im sure. but what is the recommendation to take it out. top with the motor or bottom. I just have not gotten the manual yet and sure someone here has done this a few times. Thanks in advance. about how long should this job take. And i know its not as my son says 15 minutes dad.

The best way is to take it out the bottom. Had mine rebuilt by AAMCO and they dropped it out the bottom. Seemed to come out a lot easier. I would say you are probably looking at 4 hours just to remove unless you are an expert at it since you will need to remove axle shafts.

I don't know about that Lynn. Maybe a total of 8 hours for a tranny Pro. For the average first time DIYer it will take alot longer. It took me a whole day to do a PCS solenoid and valve body kit in my GTP. All that required was dropping it down to get the side cover off. However, a bunch of stuff has to come off to do the job right. See tech procedure below for a general idea:


Disconnect the battery ground (negative) cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnect/Connect Procedure in Starting and Charging.
Remove the throttle body air inlet duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Intake Duct Replacement in Powertrain Management.
Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture.
Remove the engine mount strut. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Replacement in Engine.
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
Remove the left front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Steering and Suspension.
Remove the left engine splash shield. Refer to Splash Shield Replacement - Engine in Body and Frame.
Remove the stabilizer shaft links from the lower control arms. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
Remove the left tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
Remove the wheel speed sensor harness connector. Refer Wheel Speed Sensor Jumper Harness Replacement (Front) in Brakes and Traction Control.
Remove the left lower ball joint from the left steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
Disconnect the left drive axle from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement (Left) or Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement (Right).
Secure the drive axle to the steering knuckle/strut. Caution: Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or damage to the intermediate shaft. This damage may cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.
Remove the pinch bolt at the intermediate steering shaft. Refer to intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
Remove the intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering and Suspension.
Disconnect the three-way catalytic converter pipe to the right (rear) exhaust manifold. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Powertrain Management.
Support the right side of the frame with jackstands.
Support the left side of the frame with jackstands.
Remove the transaxle mount bracket. Refer to Automatic Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement.
Remove the transaxle mount. Refer to Automatic Transmission Mount Replacement.
Loosen the engine mount lower nuts. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement (Front) and Engine Mount Replacement (Rear) in Engine.
Loosen the right side frame to body bolts. Refer to Frame Repair in Frame and Underbody.
Remove the left side frame to body bolts. Refer to Frame Repair in Frame and Underbody.
Adjust the jackstand to the lower left side of the frame.
Position the drain pan under the transaxle.
Remove the wiring harness connector.
Remove the case side cover bolts..

Out the bottom is your best bet. I've done several this way. You'll have to support the engine either with a bar from the shock mounts or simply an engine crane, as the cradle will have to come out. Plan on having a helper to wrestle it in ot place, and make sure the converter is properly seated prior to installation. Bank on an entire Saturday. Good luck

Its about 7hrs R&R on a lift. I can do it in just alittle less than 3hrs hehe

Its about 7hrs R&R on a lift. I can do it in just alittle less than 3hrs hehe

Thats nice. So you'll only charge me 3 hours worth of labor @$60/Hr if I bring it up to you Troy? :naughty:

Too bad you live out in the middle of nowheres.

Thanks for all the info. bottom sounds less painfull. Three hours. you know my son// lol

Hey guys, time is relative! If you purchase a keg of beer prior to starting the job and invite several of your mechanically inclined beer drinking friends to help and tell them that the beer is only available after the tranny is out I bet you could get it out in less than two hours. Of course that would be 8 to 10 if ever if you tap the keg first.