Transmission R&R - Automatic

Remove and replace the automatic transmission assembly on a 2005 Dodge Viper 8.3L V10, including torque converter, driveshaft disconnection, cooler line separation, and all mounting hardware.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission fluid pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission output shaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Torque converter seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission cooler line O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — If equipped

Fluids

• ATF+4 automatic transmission fluid — 12 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake firmly.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from terminal.
3. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-recommended lift points.
4. Remove rear wheels to provide clearance for exhaust and driveline access.
5. Allow transmission and exhaust system to cool completely if vehicle was recently operated.
6. Place drain pan under transmission pan.

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   If equipped with drain plug, remove drain plug from transmission pan and drain fluid into collection pan. If no drain plug is present, loosen all transmission pan bolts gradually in crisscross pattern, allowing one corner to drop slightly to drain fluid. Once drained, remove all pan bolts and lower pan completely. Remove transmission filter and discard with old gasket.
   Torque spec

   Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove exhaust system components
   Disconnect exhaust system at the collector flanges behind the catalytic converters. Remove the exhaust hangers supporting the intermediate and rear sections. Lower exhaust system sufficiently to provide clearance for transmission removal. On Viper, side-exit exhaust routing requires complete removal of exhaust components from catalytic converters rearward.
   ⚠Exhaust components may be extremely hot. Verify system has cooled before contact.
3. 3

   Mark and remove driveshaft
   Use marking paint to index the driveshaft flange position relative to the differential pinion flange. Remove the 4 bolts securing the driveshaft to the rear differential. Support driveshaft center and slide forward to disengage from differential. Lower driveshaft and remove from vehicle. Inspect center support bearing for wear.
   ⚠Do not allow driveshaft to hang unsupported by U-joints as this can damage joint bearings.
4. 4

   Disconnect transmission cooler lines
   Locate transmission cooler lines at transmission case connections (passenger side of transmission). Using line wrenches, disconnect cooler supply and return lines. Cap or plug open lines and transmission ports immediately to prevent contamination. Note routing of lines for reinstallation.
   ℹ️Line wrenches prevent rounding of cooler line fittings. Standard open-end wrenches should not be used.
5. 5

   Disconnect electrical connections
   Disconnect transmission range sensor connector, speed sensor connectors, and solenoid pack connector from transmission case. Remove any wiring harness retaining clips securing harness to transmission. Route harness clear of transmission removal path.
   ℹ️Photograph connector locations before removal to aid reinstallation.
6. 6

   Remove starter motor
   Disconnect starter motor electrical connections (battery cable and solenoid wire). Remove the 2 bolts securing starter motor to bell housing. Remove starter motor from vehicle to provide access to torque converter bolts and lower bell housing fasteners.
7. 7

   Remove torque converter access cover and mark converter
   Remove the bell housing inspection cover by removing the cover mounting screws. Mark the torque converter position relative to the flexplate using paint or chalk. Rotate engine via crankshaft bolt to access all torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through inspection opening.
8. 8

   Remove torque converter bolts
   While holding engine from rotating, remove all 4 torque converter-to-flexplate bolts. Rotate crankshaft 90 degrees between each bolt removal to access all fasteners. Push torque converter rearward toward transmission to ensure it is fully disengaged from flexplate. Install a torque converter holding tool or secure converter to transmission case with safety wire to prevent it from sliding out during removal.
   ⚠Torque converter must be retained during transmission removal. If converter falls, it can cause injury and will drain residual fluid.
9. 9

   Support transmission and remove crossmember
   Position transmission jack under transmission pan with appropriate adapter to distribute load. Raise jack until it contacts transmission and secure transmission to jack with retention straps or chain. Remove the crossmember-to-transmission mount bolts and the crossmember-to-frame bolts. Lower transmission jack slightly and remove crossmember from vehicle.
10. 10

    Disconnect shift linkage
    At the transmission range sensor location, disconnect the shift cable from the transmission shift lever. Remove the shift cable bracket from the transmission case by removing mounting fasteners. Position cable clear of transmission removal path.
11. 11

    Remove bell housing bolts and separate transmission
    Remove all bell housing-to-engine block bolts. On the 8.3L V10 Viper application, there are 6 bell housing bolts accessible from various angles. Verify all bolts are removed and all connections are disconnected. Carefully pull transmission rearward using transmission jack, maintaining level orientation. Ensure torque converter remains fully seated in transmission as unit is withdrawn. Once input shaft clears bell housing, lower transmission and remove from under vehicle.
    ⚠️Transmission must move straight rearward to avoid damage to input shaft, pilot bearing, or clutch components. Do not allow transmission to hang on input shaft.
12. 12

    Inspect and prepare for installation
    With transmission removed, inspect flexplate for cracks or damage and verify ring gear teeth condition. Inspect crankshaft pilot bearing for wear. If installing rebuilt or replacement transmission, verify torque converter matches original specifications and is properly filled with ATF+4 fluid. Ensure torque converter is fully seated in transmission pump (verify converter hub fully engages both pump gear and pump seal by rotating and pushing until it drops fully into the pump; confirm proper seating depth against factory specification for the installed transmission). Install new torque converter seal in transmission pump housing. Apply small amount of ATF+4 to input shaft splines and torque converter pilot.

Reassembly

1. Install transmission by reversing removal procedure, ensuring torque converter remains fully seated during installation.
2. Align transmission to engine block ensuring input shaft engages splines smoothly without binding.
3. Install all bell housing bolts and torque in crisscross pattern to 61 Nm (45 lb-ft).
4. Rotate torque converter to align with flexplate and install converter-to-flexplate bolts, torquing to 95 Nm (70 lb-ft) in star pattern.
5. Install bell housing inspection cover and torque cover screws to 11 Nm (8 lb-ft).
6. Reinstall starter motor and torque mounting bolts to 61 Nm (45 lb-ft).
7. Reconnect all electrical connectors, ensuring positive engagement and reinstalling harness clips.
8. Install transmission cooler lines with new O-rings and torque fittings per manufacturer specification.
9. Install driveshaft, aligning index marks made during removal, and torque flange bolts to specification.
10. Reinstall exhaust system components and secure all hangers.
11. Install transmission crossmember and torque all fasteners to 61 Nm (45 lb-ft).
12. Reinstall transmission pan with new gasket and filter, torquing pan bolts to 12 Nm (9 lb-ft) in crisscross pattern.
13. Reconnect shift linkage and adjust per manufacturer procedure.
14. Lower vehicle and fill transmission with ATF+4 fluid through dipstick tube (initial fill approximately 5-6 quarts).
15. Reconnect battery negative cable.

Verification

• Start engine and allow to idle. Check for leaks at pan, cooler lines, and all connection points.
• With engine at idle and parking brake applied, cycle transmission through all gear positions, pausing 3 seconds in each position.
• Check transmission fluid level with engine at operating temperature and transmission in Park. Add fluid as necessary to bring level to full mark.
• Road test vehicle to verify proper shift operation in all gears and absence of abnormal noises or vibrations.
• Recheck fluid level after road test and top off if necessary.
• Verify no driveline vibration indicating proper driveshaft phasing.

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