In order to separate the transaxle from 2004 and earlier models, one has to disconnect the negative battery terminal, remove the air filter housing and disconnect the electrical connectors of the transmission range sensor and the upstream oxygen sensor. Then, release the shift cable from the transaxle shift lever and, then, erase the existent wire harness, as well as the shift cable bracket. Disconnect the transaxle starter and the battery ground at the transaxle, thereafter clamp the engine support fixture to the lifting hook or a bolt on the cylinder head. The available transaxle-to-engine bolts are pulled out, the upper and rear transaxle anchors and studs in addition to the upper engine anchor bolt. Take off the wheels and the under-vehicle splash shields and also relax the driveaxle/hub nuts and wheel lug nuts and put the vehicle on jackstands in a safe manner. The transaxle is drained of its lubricant, the driveaxles and the subframe crossmember as well as the front part of the exhaust system is also removed. Take out the dampener as well as the crossmember; while the 4WD models would have the transfer case to be taken out. To perform this procedure, the torque converter inspection cover must be removed, though care must be taken when doing this Motor must be stopped and the relationship of the torque converter to the driveplate must be marked before the driveplate-to-torque converter nuts can be removed while turning the crankshaft to do so. Remove the fluid cooler hoses and any electrical connectors that are accessible from below; then remove the transaxle vent tube. Jack up the transaxle and take out the rest of the bolts of the transaxle attaching it to the engine, swing the transaxle backward to free the dowel pins in the engine block, then drop the transaxle. For all years after 2005, the steps are slightly different: the battery and tray must be removed, as well as the air filter housing, and the wiring has to be disconnected from the firewall. Unplug the shift cable and wiring, unbolt the top transaxle bolts and use the hook of an engine support fixture. Lift the vehicle sufficiently with jackstands, take out the through-bolt part of the left vicinity transaxle mount and also the full nearby rear transaxle mount. Take out the transverse frame brace, the plastic splash shields, both driveaxles that also include the intermediate shaft and bracket and so on. Remove the exhaust pipe that connects to the exhaust manifold and the transfer case for 4 WD models one for four cylinder models and the front section of the exhaust pipe for V6 models. Take off the front mount plate of the transaxle, take off the fluid cooler lines and OSS sensor. Also, to gain access to those areas, lor rotation of the crankshaft, unlatch the starter, the bell housing cover, and the torque converter-to-driveplate bolts. Place and secure the transaxle a little lower with the fixture and then jack the full amount that the transaxle will sit at before pulling the remaining mounting bolts and lowering the transaxle carefully. To remove, / To install, reverse the removal steps inserting the torque converter into its proper position with the transaxle fluid pump engaged, match marks on the torque converter and the drive plate coinciding and tighten properly the nuts and bolts to the required torque values. First, add the right grade and quantity of automatic transmission fluid in the transaxle and then tweak the shift cable for the best position, re-connect the battery so that the Powertrain Control Module can recalibrate it for best idle and fuel mixture trim.
Posted by FordPartsGiant Specialist 
