This procedure covers the complete removal and reinstallation of the automatic transmission on a 2014-2019 Toyota Corolla with 1.8L I4 engine, including disconnection of all mounts, halfshafts, electrical connections, and fluid lines.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — 90471-12031 or equivalent
• Front axle hub nuts × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket or RTV sealant × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil × 1 — 0W-20
• Transmission cooler line sealing washers × 4 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Toyota WS ATF — 10 qt
• Toyota Genuine 0W-20 — 4.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 90 seconds for airbag system discharge
3. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer lift points
4. Remove front wheels and engine under covers
5. Drain engine oil to prevent spillage when tilting engine (refill after completion)
6. Install engine support bar across inner fender wells to support engine weight
7. Have assistant available for critical steps requiring simultaneous support

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   Place drain pan under transmission. Remove transmission drain plug and allow fluid to drain completely (approximately 4 quarts will drain). Clean drain plug and install with new crush washer.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove halfshafts from transmission
   Remove 32mm front axle hub nuts (mark thread position first). Remove lower ball joint pinch bolts and separate ball joints from knuckles. Pull steering knuckles outward and use pry bar between transmission case and inner CV joint to release halfshafts from differential. Support halfshafts with wire - do NOT allow to hang by CV joints. Plug differential openings with clean rags to prevent fluid loss and contamination.
   ⚠Halfshaft spring clips must be replaced during installation. Do not reuse old clips.
3. 3

   Disconnect shift cable and electrical connections
   Disconnect shift cable from transmission lever by removing retaining clip and sliding cable end off ball stud. Remove cable bracket bolts and secure cable away from transmission. Disconnect transmission range sensor connector, input/output speed sensor connectors, and any ground straps. Take photos or mark each connector location for reassembly.
4. 4

   Remove transmission cooler lines
   Place drain pan under cooler line connections. Using flare nut wrenches, disconnect two transmission cooler lines from transmission case. Cap or plug all openings immediately to prevent contamination. Note position and routing of lines for reinstallation.
   ℹ️Replace cooler line sealing washers during reassembly to prevent leaks.
5. 5

   Remove starter motor
   Disconnect starter electrical connections. Remove two starter mounting bolts and extract starter motor from transmission bellhousing. Set aside in safe location.
6. 6

   Support transmission with transmission jack
   Position transmission jack under transmission oil pan. Raise jack until it just contacts transmission and secure with safety chains. Transmission should be stable but not bearing full weight yet.
   ⚠️Double-check that transmission is securely chained to jack before proceeding. Transmission will become unstable once mounts are removed.
7. 7

   Remove rear transmission mount and crossmember
   Support rear of transmission with jack. Remove rear transmission mount through-bolt. Remove four crossmember mounting bolts and lower crossmember from vehicle. Transmission weight should now be on transmission jack.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove left and right engine mounts if necessary
   Depending on access, it may be necessary to remove or loosen the left engine mount. Remove left engine mount through-bolt and mounting bracket bolts if needed for transmission clearance during removal. Ensure engine support bar is securely supporting engine weight.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove torque converter inspection cover
   Remove inspection cover from bottom of bellhousing to access torque converter bolts. Cover is held by multiple screws around perimeter.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Remove torque converter bolts
    Rotate crankshaft using 22mm socket on crankshaft pulley bolt to access each torque converter bolt through inspection opening. Remove all torque converter-to-flexplate bolts (typically 6 bolts). Mark flexplate and torque converter relationship for reassembly alignment. Push torque converter back into transmission and verify it remains fully seated in pump.
    ⚠Torque converter must remain fully seated in transmission during removal. If it slides forward, it will dump ATF and require reseating on pump before installation.
    Torque spec

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Remove transmission-to-engine bolts
    Remove all bellhousing bolts securing transmission to engine block (typically 6-8 bolts of varying lengths). Note location of each bolt as lengths differ. Support transmission weight firmly on jack throughout this step.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Separate and lower transmission
    With assistant helping to stabilize, carefully pull transmission straight back from engine to disengage from dowel pins. Keep transmission level to prevent torque converter from sliding forward. Once clear of engine, slowly lower transmission jack and roll transmission away from vehicle. Verify torque converter remained in transmission.
    ⚠️Transmission must move straight back off dowel pins. Tilting or angling can cause transmission to bind or drop torque converter.

Reassembly

1. Verify torque converter is fully seated in transmission by measuring depth - converter should sit approximately 3/4 inch behind bellhousing face. Rotate converter while pushing to ensure pump engagement.
2. Clean all mating surfaces between engine and transmission. Check dowel pins are in place and undamaged.
3. Apply small amount of high-temp grease to torque converter pilot hub and input shaft splines.
4. Install new halfshaft spring clips on both axle shafts before insertion into differential.
5. Align torque converter with flexplate using alignment marks made during disassembly. Install bolts in star pattern to specified torque.
6. Refill transmission with Toyota WS ATF through dipstick tube using fluid pump - approximately 6 quarts initially, then check level with engine running after test drive.
7. Bleed transmission by shifting through all gears while running, then recheck fluid level at operating temperature in Park position.
8. Install new front axle hub nuts and torque to 216 Nm (159 lb-ft), then stake nut collar into shaft groove.

Verification

• With engine running and parking brake applied, shift through all gear positions and verify smooth engagement with no harsh shifts or grinding
• Check transmission fluid level at operating temperature (160-180°F) with engine running in Park on level ground - level should be in HOT range
• Inspect all connection points for fluid leaks, particularly cooler lines, drain plug, and pan gasket
• Test drive vehicle through all gears and verify proper shifting, no slipping, and correct shift points
• Verify no Check Engine light or transmission warning lights are illuminated
• Recheck all mounting bolts and axle nuts for proper torque after test drive
• Verify shift cable adjustment - engine should only start in Park and Neutral positions

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