Transmission Installation

2006 Honda Pilot EX, 3.5 YF2, J35Z1SECTION Transmission Installation

Special Tools Required 

  • Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566
  • Engine hanger balance bar VSB02C000019
  • Engine hanger adapter VSB02C000014
  • Front subframe adapter VSB02BX0

These special tools are available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program 1-888-424-6857.

NOTE: Use fender covers to avoid damaging painted surface.
  1. Cleaning the ATF cooler (see ATF COOLER CLEANING  ).
  2. Install the torque converter (A) on the mainshaft (B) with the new O-ring (C).
    Fig 1: Identifying Torque Converter, Dowel Pin, Mainshaft And O-Ring
    G05594051Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  3. Install the 14 mm dowel pin (D) and 10 mm dowel pin (E) in the torque converter housing.
  4. Install the transmission lower mounts.
    Fig 2: Transmission Lower Mounts With Torque Specifications
    G05594052Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  5. Place the transmission on the jack, and raise it to engine level.
  6. Attach the transmission to the engine, and install the lower transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 3: Lower Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications
    G05594053Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  7. Install the rear transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 4: Rear Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications
    G05594054Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  8. Install the upper transmission housing mounting bolts.
    Fig 5: Upper Transmission Housing Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications
    G05594055Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  9. Install the transmission housing mounting bolt (A).
    Fig 6: Transmission Housing Mounting Bolt With Torque Specifications
    G05594056Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  10. Install the front mount bracket (B) with the new mounting bolts.
  11. Install the new set ring (A) on the intermediate shaft (B), and install the intermediate shaft in the differential. While installing the intermediate shaft in the differential, be sure not to allow dust or other foreign particles to enter the transmission. Tighten the three mounting bolts to the specified torque.
    Fig 7: Set Ring And Intermediate Shaft With Torque Specifications
    G05594057Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  12. Install the exhaust manifold bracket (C) and heat shield (D).
  13. Install the new set ring on the left driveshaft, then install the left driveshaft in the differential (see FRONT DRIVESHAFT INSTALLATION ). While installing the driveshaft in the differential, be sure not to allow dust or other foreign particles to enter the transmission. Install the right driveshaft over the intermediate shaft.
    NOTE: Turn the right and left steering knuckle fully outward, and slide the driveshafts into the differential and over the intermediate shaft until you feel the set ring engages.
  14. Support the front subframe (A) with the front subframe adapter (VSB02BX0) and a jack, and lift it up to the body.
    Fig 8: Identifying Front Subframe And Front Subframe Adapter (VSB02BX0)
    G05594058Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  15. Loosely install the new subframe mounting bolts: front (A), rear (B), rear stiffeners (C) and mounting bolts (D), and front stiffeners (E) and mounting bolts (F).
    Fig 9: Subframe Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications
    G05594059Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  16. Align all reference marks (A) on the front subframe (B) with the body, then tighten the bolts on the front subframe to the specified torque.
    Fig 10: Identifying Reference Marks On Front Subframe With Body
    G05594060Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  17. Remove the jack and front subframe adapter.
  18. Install both bolt retainers (A) on both rear mounting bolts (B) of the front subframe (C).
    Fig 11: Bolt Retainers, Rear Mounting Bolts And Front Subframe With Torque Specifications
    G05594061Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  19. 4WD: Install the three rear mount bracket bolts.
    Fig 12: Rear Mount Bracket Bolts With Torque Specifications - 4WD
    G05594062Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  20. 2WD: Install the two mount bracket bolts (A) on the rear of the bracket, and install the new bolts (B) on the front.
    Fig 13: Mount Bracket Bolts And Bolts With Torque Specifications - 2WD
    G05594063Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  21. Install the transmission lower mount nuts.
    Fig 14: Transmission Lower Mount Fasteners With Torque Specifications
    G05594064Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  22. 2WD: Connect engine control mount solenoid valve connector (A) on the rear engine mount, and install the harness clamp (B) on its bracket. Secure the power steering fluid line bracket (C) with the bolt on the rear mount bracket.
    Fig 15: Engine Control Mount Solenoid Valve Connector, And Power Steering Fluid Line Bracket With Torque Specifications - 2WD
    G05594065Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  23. 2WD: Connect engine mount control solenoid valve connector (A) on the front engine mount, and install the harness clamp (B) on the front subframe.
    Fig 16: Identifying Engine Mount Control Solenoid Valve Connector - 2WD
    G05594066Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  24. Connect the power steering fluid hose (A) to the line (B), and secure the hose with its hose clamp (C).
    Fig 17: Locating Hose Clamps
    G05594067Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  25. Secure the hose with the hose clamps (D).
  26. Connect the power steering pressure switch connector.
    Fig 18: Identifying Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector
    G05594068Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  27. Attach the torque converter to the drive plate (A) with eight bolts (B). Rotate the crankshaft pulley as necessary to tighten the bolt to 1/2 of the specified torque, then to the final torque, in a crisscross pattern. After tightening the last bolt, check that the crankshaft rotates freely.
    Fig 19: Drive Plate, Bolts And Torque Converter Cover With Torque Specifications
    G05594069Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  28. Install the torque converter cover (C).
  29. 4WD: Install the dowel pin (A) in the transmission. Insert the one 10 x 1.25 mm bolt (length: 105 mm) (B) in the rear upper of the transfer housing, then install the transfer assembly (C) on the transmission.
    Fig 20: Dowel Pin And Transfer Assembly With Torque Specifications
    G05594070Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  30. 4WD: Install the propeller shaft (A) to the transfer companion flange (B) by aligning the reference mark (C).
    Fig 21: Reference Mark Of Propeller Shaft And Transfer Companion Flange With Torque Specifications
    G05594071Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  31. 4WD: Secure the transfer breather tube bracket (A) on the transfer assembly with the bolt, and install the breather tube (B) over the breather pipe (C) with the dot (D) on the tube facing out.
    Fig 22: Breather Pipe And Bracket With Torque Specifications
    G05594072Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  32. Install the ball joints on each lower arm (A) to each knuckle (B) with new castle nuts (C), and secure the castle nuts with the lock pins (D).
    Fig 23: Installing Front Suspension And Control Arms With Torque Specifications
    G05594073Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  33. Install the nuts (E) to the ball joint pins (F) on each stabilizer link (G). Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench (H) in the top of the ball joint pins, and tighten the nuts to the specified torque.
  34. Install the tie-rod end ball joints (I) to each knuckle with the nuts (J) and new cotter pins (K).
  35. Install exhaust pipe A with the new self-locking nuts, its mount (B), and new gaskets (C) (D).
    Fig 24: Exhaust Pipe With Torque Specifications
    G05594074Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  36. Install the front subframe stiffener with the new mounting bolts.
    Fig 25: Front Subframe Stiffener And Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications
    G05594075Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  37. 4WD: Install a new front mount nut, and tighten it.
    Fig 26: Front Mount Nut With Torque Specifications - 4WD
    G05594076Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  38. 2WD: Install a new front mount bolt (A), and install the front mount stop (B).
    Fig 27: Front Mount Bolt And Front Mount Stop With Torque Specifications - 2WD
    G05594077Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  39. Remove the engine support hanger, engine hanger adapters, and engine hanger balancer bar.
  40. Install the connector bracket on the engine front cylinder head.
    Fig 28: Connector Bracket On Engine Front Cylinder Head With Torque Specifications
    G05594078Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  41. Install the harness clamp brackets on the engine rear cylinder head.
    Fig 29: Harness Clamp Brackets On Engine Rear Cylinder Head With Torque Specifications
    G05594079Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  42. Connect the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor connector (A), output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector (B), ATF temperature sensor connector (C), and 3rd clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (D). Do not allow water, fluid, oil, dust, or other foreign particles to enter any of the connectors.
    Fig 30: Identifying Transmission Pressure Switch, And Sensor(s) Connectors
    G05594080Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  43. Connect the ATF cooler hoses (A) to the ATF cooler lines (B), and secure the hoses with the clips (C) (see ATF COOLER HOSE REPLACEMENT  ).
    Fig 31: Identifying ATF Cooler Hoses, ATF Cooler Lines And Hoses Clips
    G05594081Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  44. Connect the transmission range switch connector (A), and install the harness clamp (B) on the clamp bracket (C).
    Fig 32: Ground Cable, Transmission Range Switch Connector, Harness Clamp And Clamp Bracket With Torque Specifications
    G05594082Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  45. Install the transmission ground cable (D).
  46. Secure the harness cover (A) and cover bracket (B) with the bolts.
    Fig 33: Harness Cover And Cover Bracket With Torque Specifications
    G05594083Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  47. Connect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve C connector (C).
  48. Install the harness cover (A) on the harness cover/clamp bracket (B), and secure it with the bolt.
    Fig 34: Harness Cover And Clamp Bracket With Torque Specifications
    G05594084Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  49. Connect the 4th clutch transmission fluid pressure switch connector (C), and install the harness clamp (D) on the bracket. Connect the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A connector (E), and A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve B connector (F).
  50. Apply molybdenum grease to the hole in the bushing (A) in the cable end (B). Attach the shift cable end to the control lever (C), then insert the control pin (D) into the control lever hole through the shift cable end, and secure the control pin with the spring clip/washer (E).
    Fig 35: Locating Shift Cable End Transmission Side With Torque Specifications
    G05594085Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  51. Secure the shift cable bracket (F) with the nuts.
  52. Install the starter (A) and new gasket (B) (see STARTER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ). Install the mounting bolt (C) through the harness clamp bracket hole (D), and into the lower mounting bolt thread hole (E).
    Fig 36: Starter And Gasket With Torque Specifications
    G05594086Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  53. Install the starter cables (A), and install the harness clamps (B) on the clamp brackets (C).
    Fig 37: Starter Cables With Torque Specifications
    G05594087Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  54. Connect the solenoid harness connector (D).
  55. Install the transmission breather tube (A) over the breather pipe (B) at the transmission housing, and install the tube in the clamp (C) at the dot (D) on the tube with facing out.
    Fig 38: Locating Transmission Breather Tube And Breather Pipe
    G05594088Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  56. Install the power steering pump outlet line (A) with the new O-ring (B) to the pump, and secure the hose clamp (C) with the bolt.
    Fig 39: Locating Power Steering Pump Outlet Line, O-Ring And Hose Clamp With Torque Specifications
    G05594089Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  57. Connect the steering joint (see INSTALLATION ).
  58. Remove the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL ).
  59. Center the SRS cable reel and install the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION ).
  60. Refill the power steering fluid reservoir with fluid to the upper level line.
  61. Refill the transmission with ATF (see step  5 ).
  62. Install the battery base bracket and battery base.
  63. Install the intake air duct and the intake manifold cover.
  64. Install the battery tray, battery, and battery hold-down bracket, then connect the battery terminals.
  65. Install the front bulkhead cover.
  66. Install the splash shield.
  67. Set the parking brake, run the engine at fast idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock-to-lock several times to bleed air from the system. Recheck the fluid level, and refill if necessary.
  68. Set the parking brake. Start the engine, and shift the transmission through all positions three times. Check the shift lever operation, A/T gear position indicator operation, and shift cable adjustment.
  69. Start the engine in the P or N position, and warm it up to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on).
  70. Turn off the engine, and check the ATF level (see ATF LEVEL CHECK  ).
  71. Do the road test (see ROAD TEST  ).
  72. Enter the anti-theft codes for the audio system and the navigation system (if equipped), then enter the audio presets. Set the clock (on vehicles without navigation).
  73. Do the power window control unit reset procedure (see RESETTING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT ).
  74. Check and adjust the front wheel alignment (see PRE-ALIGNMENT CHECKS ).
RENDER: 1.0x

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.