Hello and thanks for checking out my thread. Recently I purchased a 2002 dodge neon and the transmission went out on it. I picked up the replacement and I'm wanting to swap it out myself to save about 500 bones so if anyone has experience with this please inform me of the difficulty on this. Ive worked on cars since I was young so I would say I'm a moderate do it yourself-er but transmissions are new to me. Besides the basics like removing the starter/intake duct work/battery/mount and plugs/fluid are there any really tough tasks during this process? Engines have timing and if you screw that up it could be an expensive repair so I guess what I'm asking is if the transmission has anything similar, Do I need to mark the flywheel so something will line up correctly?

Is there a DIY?
MY 2002 btw

 

Um, they are very heavy. Are you using a lift or jackstands? If jackstands, make sure you have a floor jack there to help get it out from under the car. The toughest parts besides the R&R of the transmission is putting the entire front end back together without tearing everything up. Since you have to remove almost everything from both sides of the car, just make sure you keep everything separated so it goes back to the same spot. 2002 transmissions are still a bit unclear to me as far as the programming goes (i.e.: if they are the same as the 03+; I believe they are), but if they are like the 03+, you should have a "Quick Relearn" flash performed from either the shop or the dealer. Also, make sure the TC spins freely up until you can't slide your fingers between the engine and transmission anymore. Mine caught during the reinstall and after putting the entire front end of the car back together and flushing and filling the transmission, it had to come back out.

 

Yeah I'm working with jack stands but I have a heavy duty floor jack to help with the transmission removal. I think the biggest pain will be removing the axles I just hope the axle nuts aren't seized. My father works at a dodge dealership and his transmission guy said 02+ should be compatible and offered to do it himself for 400 which isn't bad but I'd rather keep the money. The torque converter should just slip right off the tranny right, no bolts keeping it in place? and what the hell is up with the transmission fluid prices, my audis fluid form the dealership cost less then the mopar stuff

 

If you are worried about seized bolts, soak the crap out of them with PB Blaster. The TC will just slip right off, and take a good amount of fluid with it. As for fluid, if you have a NAPA around, get the NAPA brand ATF+4. It's Valvoline, but $1 cheaper per quart. I found that to be the best price on the fluid. You should flush the transmission too when you are done installing it (take the line that goes from the transmission to the cooler off and put it into a drain pan, then turn the car on and while holding the brakes, put it in drive and let it pump out some of the old fluid and repeat a couple of times. This will help flush the TC a bit as well), along with a new filter. As far as what needs to be done at the dealer, it requires the Dodge DRBIII computer scanner/tool.