Transmission Output Shaft Bearing

Remove and replace the transmission output shaft bearing by removing the transmission from the vehicle, disassembling the necessary internal components, and installing a new bearing.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission output shaft bearing × 1 — Use OEM Honda specification
• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — 94109-20000
• Transmission gasket set × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Output shaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Right axle shaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Left axle shaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Honda DW-1 ATF — 8 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes for SRS system discharge
3. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands at all four corners
4. Remove both front wheels
5. Remove engine under cover and splash shields
6. Install engine support fixture across engine compartment to support engine weight
7. Mark or photograph all electrical connectors and linkage positions for reassembly reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   Place large drain pan under transmission. Remove transmission drain plug and allow all ATF to drain completely. Inspect drained fluid for metal particles or debris indicating bearing failure. Reinstall drain plug with new crush washer.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove axle shafts
   Remove axle shaft nuts (32mm). Separate lower ball joints from control arms. Use pry bar to carefully separate both axle shafts from transmission differential side gears. Support axle shafts with wire - do not let them hang by CV joints. Plug differential openings with clean shop rags to prevent fluid leakage and contamination.
   ⚠Do not damage axle shaft seals or differential side gears during removal. Use proper prying technique against inner CV joint housing.
3. 3

   Disconnect transmission external components
   Disconnect shift cable from transmission lever and bracket. Disconnect transmission harness connectors (main harness, VSS, shift solenoids). Remove dipstick tube mounting bolt. Disconnect transmission cooler lines and cap openings. Remove starter motor mounting bolts and secure starter aside.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove subframe and support transmission
   Position transmission jack under transmission oil pan with protective wood block. Apply slight upward pressure. Remove transmission mount through-bolt. Remove subframe mounting bolts and lower subframe assembly. Remove transmission mount bracket from transmission.
   ⚠Ensure transmission jack is properly centered and secured before removing mounts. Transmission will shift position as mounts are removed.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Separate transmission from engine
   Remove upper and lower transmission-to-engine mounting bolts. Carefully pull transmission straight back from engine while supporting on transmission jack. Ensure torque converter remains with transmission. Lower transmission from vehicle and place on clean work surface.
   ⚠️Transmission weighs approximately 120 lbs. Ensure transmission jack and engine support are secure. Have assistant help guide transmission away from engine.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove transmission case components
   With transmission on workbench, remove valve body cover bolts and carefully remove valve body assembly - keep valves and springs organized. Remove transmission oil pan bolts in criss-cross pattern and remove pan. Remove oil pump assembly. Remove transmission case cover screws and carefully separate transmission case halves using plastic mallet taps on designated pry points.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)

   Pan Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Access output shaft bearing
   Remove output shaft assembly from transmission case. Note position and orientation of all gears, thrust washers, and snap rings. Remove snap ring retaining output shaft bearing. Use bearing puller to carefully extract worn bearing from output shaft or transmission case (location depends on bearing type). Inspect output shaft for scoring, wear, or damage. Measure shaft diameter at bearing surface with micrometer to verify within specification.
   ⚠Keep all internal transmission components clean and organized. Even small amounts of dirt can cause transmission failure. Do not mix up thrust washers or shims.
8. 8

   Install new output shaft bearing
   Clean bearing mounting surface thoroughly. Verify new bearing dimensions match original. Using hydraulic press or appropriate bearing driver, install new bearing squarely onto shaft or into case bore. Press bearing until fully seated against shoulder. Install retaining snap ring and verify snap ring is fully seated in groove. Check bearing rotation - should spin freely without binding or roughness.
   ⚠Apply pressure only to outer bearing race when pressing into case, or inner race when pressing onto shaft. Pressing on wrong race will damage bearing.
9. 9

   Measure endplay and preload
   Reinstall output shaft assembly into transmission case. Install dial indicator with magnetic base against output shaft end. Move shaft up and down to measure endplay. Verify endplay is within Honda specification (typically 0.05-0.20mm). If out of specification, select appropriate thrust washer thickness to correct. Verify bearing preload meets specification using spring scale or torque wrench method per service manual.
   ℹ️Incorrect endplay will cause noise, premature bearing wear, or gear damage. This measurement is critical for proper transmission operation.
10. 10

    Reassemble transmission case
    Apply thin coat of ATF to all sealing surfaces. Install new case gasket. Carefully align and join transmission case halves. Install case cover screws and tighten in criss-cross pattern. Install oil pump assembly with new seal. Install transmission pan with new gasket and tighten pan bolts in criss-cross pattern. Install valve body assembly, ensuring all manual valve linkages are properly engaged. Install valve body cover.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)

    Pan Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install new axle seals
    Remove old axle shaft seals from transmission case using seal puller. Clean seal bores thoroughly. Apply thin coat of ATF to new seal outer diameter. Using appropriate seal driver, install new right and left axle shaft seals squarely into bores until fully seated. Install new output shaft seal if accessible.
    ⚠Seal lips must face inward toward transmission. Improper seal installation will cause immediate fluid leakage.
12. 12

    Reinstall transmission to vehicle
    Lift transmission into position using transmission jack. Align transmission with engine and torque converter with flexplate. Carefully slide transmission onto engine dowel pins. Install and hand-tighten all transmission-to-engine mounting bolts. Torque mounting bolts to specification starting with upper bolts. Install transmission mount bracket and mount. Raise and install subframe, torquing bolts to specification.
    ⚠Verify torque converter is fully seated on oil pump drive before mating transmission to engine. Converter should rotate freely and be recessed approximately 1 inch from bellhousing face.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect external components
    Reinstall starter motor and torque bolts. Reconnect transmission cooler lines with new sealing washers. Reconnect all electrical connectors to transmission (main harness, VSS, shift solenoids). Reinstall dipstick tube. Reconnect shift cable to lever and bracket, adjusting per service manual procedure.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall axle shafts
    Remove protective plugs from differential openings. Clean axle shaft splines and apply small amount of grease. Install new circlips on axle shaft ends. Carefully insert axle shafts into differential side gears until circlips engage with positive click. Verify axle shafts are locked in place by attempting to pull them out. Reconnect lower ball joints to control arms. Install new axle shaft nuts and torque to specification.
    ℹ️Always use new axle shaft circlips. Reused circlips may not properly engage and can allow axle shaft separation.
15. 15

    Fill transmission and perform initial checks
    Fill transmission with Honda DW-1 ATF through dipstick tube. Initial fill should be approximately 3 quarts. Reconnect negative battery terminal. Start engine and allow to idle. With engine running and parking brake engaged, shift through all gear positions pausing 2-3 seconds in each. Return to Park. Check fluid level with engine running at operating temperature and add fluid as needed to reach proper level on dipstick. Check for leaks around all seals, pan gasket, and cooler lines.
    ⚠Do not overfill transmission. Overfilling can cause foaming, overheating, and damage to internal components.

Reassembly

1. Install engine under cover and splash shields
2. Install front wheels and torque lug nuts to specification
3. Lower vehicle to ground
4. Remove engine support fixture
5. Perform final fluid level check with vehicle on level ground and transmission at operating temperature
6. Reset transmission adaptive values using Honda scan tool if available

Verification

• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth shifting through all gears with no slipping or unusual noises
• Listen for bearing noise during acceleration and deceleration - should be smooth and quiet
• Verify no fluid leaks from transmission pan, axle seals, drain plug, or cooler lines after test drive
• Check transmission fluid level again after test drive and top off if necessary
• Verify no warning lights on instrument cluster related to transmission
• Monitor transmission temperature during test drive to ensure proper cooling system operation
• Perform final inspection under vehicle for any fluid leaks or loose components after 50-100 miles of driving

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle