Transmission R&R - Automatic

Complete removal and reinstallation of the CVT automatic transmission from a 2018-2024 Honda Accord with 1.5L turbo engine, including drivetrain disconnection, mount removal, and fluid service.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Honda DW-1 ATF transmission fluid × 1 — 08200-9006
• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle shaft seals (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission mount (if worn) × 1 — 50805-TVA-A01
• Engine mount (if worn) × 1 — 50830-TVA-A02

Fluids

• Honda DW-1 ATF — 8 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and set parking brake firmly
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and secure cable away from battery
3. Raise vehicle on lift or support securely on jack stands at all four corners
4. Remove engine cover and plastic undercovers from underneath vehicle
5. Remove both front wheels to access axle nuts and suspension components
6. Place drain pan under transmission and remove transmission drain plug to drain fluid completely
7. Reinstall drain plug with new crush washer and torque to specification

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove front axle shafts
   Remove axle nut center caps and loosen 32mm axle nuts while vehicle is on ground (if not already done). With vehicle raised, remove axle nuts completely. Remove lower ball joint pinch bolts and separate ball joints from control arms. Carefully pull steering knuckles outward and withdraw axle shafts from transmission. Plug transmission openings with clean shop rags or appropriate caps to prevent fluid leakage and contamination.
   ⚠Axle nuts are torqued to very high specification. Use breaker bar and ensure vehicle is stable when loosening.
   ℹ️Support axle shafts with wire to prevent damage to CV boots and ABS sensors when removed from transmission.
2. 2

   Disconnect transmission cooler lines and electrical connections
   Locate transmission cooler lines on driver side of transmission. Use flare nut wrench to disconnect cooler lines, catching residual fluid in drain pan. Cap or plug lines immediately to prevent contamination. Disconnect all electrical connectors from transmission including vehicle speed sensor, shift solenoids, and transmission range sensor. Remove wire harness brackets and routing clips securing harness to transmission case.
   ⚠Use flare nut wrench on cooler line fittings to prevent rounding. Standard wrenches will damage fittings.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove shift cable and linkage
   Disconnect shift cable from transmission range selector lever by removing lock clip and sliding cable end off ball stud. Remove shift cable bracket mounting bolts from transmission case. Secure shift cable up and away from transmission using wire or zip ties to prevent damage during removal.
   ℹ️Note exact position of shift cable adjustment before removal. Take photo for reference during reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Support engine and remove upper transmission mounting bolts
   Install engine support bar across engine bay or attach engine hoist to secure lifting points on engine. Apply slight upward pressure to support engine weight. Remove upper transmission-to-engine mounting bolts that are accessible from above. Remove upper transmission mount bracket and mounting bolts. Support transmission mount weight as bolts are removed.
   ⚠️Engine must be properly supported before removing transmission mounts. Failure to support engine can result in engine dropping and causing severe damage or injury.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove starter motor
   Disconnect electrical connections from starter motor including main power cable and solenoid trigger wire. Remove two starter mounting bolts and carefully extract starter motor from bellhousing. Keep starter upright to prevent internal damage and set aside in safe location.
   ⚠Main starter cable is always energized from battery. Ensure negative battery terminal is disconnected before removing starter connections.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove torque converter cover and mounting bolts
   Remove torque converter inspection cover from bellhousing by removing cover screws. Rotate crankshaft using 19mm socket on crankshaft bolt to access all torque converter-to-flywheel mounting bolts through inspection opening. Remove all torque converter bolts (typically 3 or 4). Mark torque converter and flywheel orientation for reassembly.
   ℹ️Rotate engine in normal direction of rotation only (clockwise from front). Mark flywheel and torque converter position with paint pen for proper alignment during installation.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove lower transmission mounting components
   Remove rear transmission mount bracket bolts and front transmission mount through-bolt. Remove subframe support brackets if equipped. Remove any remaining bellhousing bolts accessible from underneath vehicle. Keep all bolts organized by length and location.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Position transmission jack and remove transmission
   Position transmission jack under transmission oil pan. Secure transmission to jack using safety chain or straps. Apply slight upward pressure with jack to support transmission weight. Remove remaining transmission-to-engine mounting bolts. Verify all electrical connections, cooler lines, mounts, and fasteners are disconnected. Carefully pull transmission straight back away from engine, ensuring torque converter remains fully seated in transmission. Lower transmission slowly and carefully, watching for any interference points.
   ⚠️Transmission must be securely strapped to transmission jack. Keep hands and body clear of transmission in case of jack failure.
   ⚠Torque converter can fall out of transmission if tipped forward. Keep transmission level and use holding tool or strap to retain converter in transmission.
9. 9

   Inspect components and prepare for installation
   With transmission removed, inspect flywheel for cracks, hot spots, or excessive wear. Check torque converter pilot bearing in crankshaft for smooth operation. Clean transmission mating surface on engine block with wire brush and brake cleaner. Inspect axle shaft seals in transmission and replace if damaged or leaking. Verify torque converter is fully seated in transmission oil pump by measuring depth from bellhousing face to converter mounting pad.
   ℹ️Torque converter must be fully seated with at least 15mm recess from bellhousing face. If not fully seated, converter will damage oil pump during installation.
10. 10

    Install transmission to engine
    Apply thin coat of high-temperature grease to torque converter pilot and input shaft splines. Raise transmission into position using transmission jack, keeping transmission level to prevent converter from falling out. Align transmission with engine and carefully push transmission forward while rotating torque converter slightly to engage splines. Install upper and lower transmission-to-engine mounting bolts and tighten hand-tight initially. Once all bolts are started, torque mounting bolts to specification in diagonal pattern.
    ⚠Do not use mounting bolts to draw transmission to engine. Transmission should slide into place with minimal effort when properly aligned.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install torque converter bolts and cover
    Rotate crankshaft to align torque converter and flywheel using alignment marks made during disassembly. Apply threadlocker to torque converter bolts. Install torque converter-to-flywheel bolts through inspection opening, tightening in star pattern to specification. Verify all bolts are fully seated. Install torque converter inspection cover and tighten cover screws to specification.
    ℹ️Torque converter bolts are often TTY (torque-to-yield). Use new bolts if specified by Honda service manual.
    Torque spec

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)

    Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install starter and transmission mounts
    Install starter motor into bellhousing, ensuring starter gear meshes properly with flywheel. Install starter mounting bolts and torque to specification. Connect starter electrical connections. Install transmission mount brackets and through-bolts. Torque all mounting hardware to specification. Remove engine support bar or hoist once all mounts are secure.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect shift cable, cooler lines, and electrical connections
    Install shift cable bracket to transmission and connect cable to range selector lever. Install lock clip to secure cable end. Remove plugs from cooler lines and transmission fittings. Connect transmission cooler lines using flare nut wrench and torque to specification. Reconnect all electrical connectors to transmission sensors and solenoids. Secure wire harness with brackets and clips.
    ℹ️Verify electrical connectors are fully seated and locks are engaged. Listen for audible click when connecting.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install axle shafts and reassemble suspension
    Remove plugs from transmission and clean axle shaft seals. Apply small amount of ATF to seal lips. Install new circlips on axle shaft grooves if removed. Carefully insert axle shafts into transmission until circlips engage with audible click. Pull outward on shafts to verify proper engagement. Insert outer CV joints into steering knuckles. Reconnect lower ball joints and install pinch bolts. Install axle nuts hand-tight.
    ⚠Ensure axle shaft circlips are properly seated in transmission. Improperly seated axles can disengage during operation.
15. 15

    Fill transmission with fluid and perform final checks
    Using fluid transfer pump, add approximately 8 quarts of Honda DW-1 ATF through transmission dipstick tube or fill port. Start engine and allow to idle while shifting through all gear positions, pausing 2-3 seconds in each position. Return to Park and check fluid level with engine running at operating temperature. Add fluid as needed to bring level to hot range on dipstick. Install wheels and torque lug nuts. Lower vehicle and torque axle nuts to specification. Install engine cover and undercovers.
    ⚠Use only Honda DW-1 ATF fluid. Other fluids will cause CVT damage and void warranty.
    ℹ️CVT fluid level must be checked with engine running at operating temperature in Park on level ground.

Reassembly

1. Torque axle nuts to Honda specification (typically 181 Nm/134 lb-ft) with vehicle on ground
2. Reconnect negative battery terminal and perform initialization procedures for power windows and other systems
3. Adjust shift cable if necessary using Honda factory procedure to ensure proper gear engagement
4. Verify all electrical connectors, cooler lines, and fasteners are properly secured
5. Check for fluid leaks around drain plug, cooler lines, and axle seals after test drive

Verification

• Start engine and verify no abnormal noises from transmission or starter
• Check transmission fluid level with engine at operating temperature and verify within hot range
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth shifting through all gear ranges
• Verify no gear engagement delays or harsh shifts during acceleration and deceleration
• Inspect underneath vehicle for any fluid leaks from transmission, cooler lines, or axle seals
• Verify shift indicator matches actual gear selection in all positions
• Check for proper torque converter lockup during highway cruise conditions
• Verify speedometer and tachometer operate correctly indicating proper sensor connection

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