GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Transmission Replacement RPOs LZE/LZ9

Tools Required

J 37096 Flywheel Holder

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  2. Remove the intake manifold cover. Refer to Intake Manifold Cover Replacement for the 3.5L engine, or Intake Manifold Cover Replacement for the 3.9L engine.
  3. Remove the air cleaner outlet duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.5L engine, or Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.9L engine.
  4. Disconnect the wiring harness electrical connectors.

  5. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  6. Remove the transaxle range selector cable from the transaxle shift lever.
  7. Remove the transaxle range selector cable retainer from the cable.

  8. Object Number: 629687  Size: SH
  9. Remove the transaxle range selector cable from the transaxle.
  10. Remove the transaxle wiring grounds from the transaxle.

  11. Object Number: 1619382  Size: SH
  12. Remove the upper transaxle bolts (2, 3) and the stud (4).
  13. Install the engine support fixture to support the engine/transaxle assembly. Refer to Engine Support Fixture for the 3.5L engine, or Engine Support Fixture for the 3.9L engine.
  14. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  15. Remove the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  16. Remove the left and the right front fender liners. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
  17. Remove the frame from the vehicle. Refer to Frame Replacement .
  18. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

  19. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  20. Install the J 37096 in order to gain access to the torque converter bolts and to prevent the flywheel from turning.

  21. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  22. Remove the torque converter bolts.
  23. Remove the transaxle oil cooler pipes from the transaxle. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
  24. Important: Position and secure the wheel drive shafts out of the way.

  25. Remove the left and the right wheel drive shafts from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  26. Secure the drive shafts to the steering knuckles.
  27. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
  28. Important: Ensure the transmission jack is properly secured to the transaxle.

  29. Position a transmission jack under the transaxle and secure the transmission jack to the transaxle.
  30. Remove the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  31. Object Number: 1619382  Size: SH
  32. Remove the lower transaxle bolt (1, 5).
  33. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
  34. Transfer all necessary parts as needed.
  35. Flush the transmission cooler and lines. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .

Installation Procedure

    Important: Ensure the transaxle is secured properly to the transmission jack.

  1. Position the transaxle onto a transmission jack and secure the transaxle to the transmission jack.
  2. Install the transaxle into the vehicle.
  3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1619382  Size: SH
  4. Install the lower transaxle bolt (1, 5).
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  6. Install the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  7. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  8. Install the J 37096 in order to gain access to the torque converter bolts and to prevent the flywheel from turning.

  9. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  10. Install the torque converter bolts.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

  12. Install the wheel drive shafts into the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  13. Install the transaxle oil cooler pipes to the transaxle. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
  14. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .
  15. Install the frame to the vehicle. Refer to Frame Replacement .
  16. Connect the vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
  17. Install the left and the right front fender liners. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
  18. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  19. Lower the vehicle.
  20. Remove the engine support fixture.

  21. Object Number: 1619382  Size: SH
  22. Install the upper transaxle bolts (2, 3) and the stud (4).
  23. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts and the stud to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  24. Install the transaxle wiring grounds and the nuts.
  25. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 45 N·m (33 lb ft).

  26. Connect the transaxle harness electrical connectors.

  27. Object Number: 629687  Size: SH
  28. Install the transaxle range selector cable to the transaxle range selector cable bracket.

  29. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  30. Install the automatic transaxle range selector cable retainer to the cable.
  31. Install the transaxle range selector cable to the transaxle shift lever.
  32. Install the air induction duct. Refer to Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.5L engine, or Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement for the 3.9L engine.
  33. Install the intake manifold cover. Refer to Intake Manifold Cover Replacement for the 3.5L engine, or Intake Manifold Cover Replacement for the 3.9L engine.
  34. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  35. Notice: Refer to Transmission Overfill Notice in the Preface section.

  36. Fill the transaxle with automatic transmission fluid.
  37. Inspect for automatic transmission fluid leaks. Refer to Fluid Leak Diagnosis .
  38. Important: It is recommended that the transmission adaptive pressure (TAP) information be reset. Resetting the TAP values using a scan tool will erase all learned values in all cells. As a result, the ECM, PCM or TCM will need to relearn TAP values. Transmission performance may be affected as new TAP values are learned.

  39. Transmission Adaptive Functions . Reset the TAP values. Refer to Transmission Adaptive Functions .

Transmission Replacement RPO LS4

Special Tools

J 37096 Flywheel Holder

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  2. Remove the engine sight shield. Refer to Upper Intake Manifold Sight Shield Replacement for the 5.3L engine.
  3. Remove the air cleaner outlet duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Resonator Outlet Duct Replacement for the 5.3L engine.
  4. Remove the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Pipe Replacement .
  5. Disconnect the wiring harness electrical connectors.

  6. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  7. Remove the transaxle range selector cable from the transaxle shift lever.
  8. Remove the transaxle range selector cable retainer from the cable.

  9. Object Number: 629687  Size: SH
  10. Remove the transaxle range selector cable from the transaxle.
  11. Remove the transaxle wiring grounds from the transaxle.

  12. Object Number: 1619385  Size: SH
  13. Remove the upper transaxle bolts (2).
  14. Install the engine support fixture to support the engine/transaxle assembly. Refer to Engine Support Fixture for the 5.3L engine.
  15. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  16. Remove the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  17. Remove the left and the right front fender liners. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
  18. Remove the frame from the vehicle. Refer to Frame Replacement .
  19. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

  20. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  21. Install the J 37096 in order to gain access to the torque converter bolts and to prevent the flywheel from turning.

  22. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  23. Remove the torque converter bolts.
  24. Remove the transaxle oil cooler pipes from the transaxle. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
  25. Important: Position and secure the wheel drive shafts out of the way.

  26. Remove the left and the right wheel drive shafts from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  27. Secure the drive shafts to the steering knuckles.
  28. Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
  29. Important: Ensure the transmission jack is properly secured to the transaxle.

  30. Position a transmission jack under the transaxle and secure the transmission jack to the transaxle.
  31. Remove the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  32. Object Number: 1619385  Size: SH
  33. Remove the lower transaxle bolt (1) and the stud (3).
  34. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
  35. Transfer all necessary parts as needed.
  36. Flush the transmission cooler and lines. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .

Installation Procedure

    Important: Ensure the transaxle is secured properly to the transmission jack.

  1. Position the transaxle onto a transmission jack and secure the transaxle to the transmission jack.
  2. Install the transaxle into the vehicle.
  3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1619385  Size: SH
  4. Install the lower transaxle bolt (1) and the stud (3).
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and the stud to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  6. Install the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  7. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  8. Install the J 37096 in order to gain access to the torque converter bolts and to prevent the flywheel from turning.

  9. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  10. Install the torque converter bolts.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

  12. Install the wheel drive shafts into the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  13. Install the transaxle oil cooler pipes to the transaxle. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
  14. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .
  15. Install the frame to the vehicle. Refer to Frame Replacement .
  16. Connect the vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
  17. Install the left and the right front fender liners. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement .
  18. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  19. Lower the vehicle.
  20. Remove the engine support fixture.

  21. Object Number: 1619385  Size: SH
  22. Install the upper transaxle bolts (2).
  23. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts and the stud to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  24. Install the transaxle wiring grounds and the nuts.
  25. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 45 N·m (33 lb ft).

  26. Connect the transaxle harness electrical connectors.

  27. Object Number: 629687  Size: SH
  28. Install the transaxle range selector cable to the transaxle range selector cable bracket.

  29. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  30. Install the automatic transaxle range selector cable retainer to the cable.
  31. Install the transaxle range selector cable to the transaxle shift lever.
  32. Install the air induction duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Resonator Outlet Duct Replacement for the 5.3L engine.
  33. Install the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Pipe Replacement .
  34. Install the engine sight shield. Refer to Upper Intake Manifold Sight Shield Replacement for the 5.3L engine.
  35. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  36. Notice: Refer to Transmission Overfill Notice in the Preface section.

  37. Fill the transaxle with automatic transmission fluid.
  38. Inspect for automatic transmission fluid leaks. Refer to Fluid Leak Diagnosis .
  39. Important: It is recommended that the transmission adaptive pressure (TAP) information be reset. Resetting the TAP values using a scan tool will erase all learned values in all cells. As a result, the ECM, PCM or DTM will need to relearn TAP values. Transmission performance may be affected as new TAP values are learned.

  40. Transmission Adaptive Functions . Reset the TAP values. Refer to Transmission Adaptive Functions .