differential DODGE NEON 2000 Service Owner's Manual

(d) Remove mounting bolt and nut (Fig. 10) and
partially remove air cleaner assembly.
(e) Disconnect accelerator and speed control (if
equipped) cables after the assy. is removed from
position. Remove air cleaner assembly from vehi-
cle.
(4) Remove battery tray from bracket.
(5) Disconnect ground cable at battery tray
bracket.
(6) Disconnect back-up lamp switch connector.
(7) Remove bellhousing cap (Fig. 11).
(8) Disconnect clutch cable from release lever and
remove from transaxle (Fig. 11).
(9) Remove shift cable-to-bracket clips (Fig. 12).
(10) Disconnect shift selector and crossover cable
from levers (Fig. 12). Remove cables and secure out
of the way.
(11) Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor connector
(Fig. 13).
(12) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(13) Remove transaxle oil drain plug and drain oil
into a suitable container.
(14) Remove both axle shafts. Refer to Group 3,
Differential and Driveline for the correct procedures.
(15) Remove structural collar (Fig. 14).
(16) Remove the left engine-to-transaxle lateral
bending brace (Fig. 14).
(17) Remove bellhousing dust cover (Fig. 14).
(18) Remove the right engine-to-transaxle lateral
bending brace (Fig. 15).(19) Remove starter motor (Fig. 16).
(20) Remove drive plate-to-clutch module bolts.
(21) Support engine at oil pan with screw jack and
wood block.
(22) Remove transaxle upper mount thru-bolt.
Gain access to this bolt through the driver's side
wheel house (Fig. 17).
(23) Carefully lower engine and transaxle on screw
jack until proper removal clearance is obtained.
Fig. 10 Air Cleaner Assembly Removal/Installation
1 ± AIR CLEANER ASSY.
2 ± THROTTLE BODY DUCTFWD
Fig. 11 Clutch Cable at Transaxle
1 ± CLUTCH CABLE
2 ± TRANSAXLE
3 ± BELLHOUSING CAP
Fig. 12 Shift Cables at Transaxle
1 ± SHIFT CABLES
2 ± CLIPS
3 ± BRACKET
PLCLUTCH 6 - 9
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(8) Connect starter electrical harness and tighten
positive cable nut to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.) torque.
(9) Install bellhousing dust cover (Fig. 14).
(10) Install left engine-to-transaxle bending brace
(Fig. 14).(11) Install structural collar (Fig. 14) as follows:
(a) Position collar and install all bolts finger
tight.
(b) Tighten the collar-to-oil pan bolts to 3 N´m
(30 in. lbs.) torque.
(c) Tighten the collar-to-transaxle bolts to 108
N´m (80 ft. lbs.) torque.
(d) Final torque the collar-to-oil pan bolts to 54
N´m (40 ft. lbs.) torque.
(12) Install the right lateral bending brace and
tighten bolts to 81 N´m (60 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 15).
(13) Install both front axle driveshafts. Refer to
Group 3, Differential and Driveline for the correct
procedures.
(14) Fill transaxle with suitable amount of Mopart
Manual Transaxle Lubricant (PN 04874465).
(15) Lower vehicle.
(16) Connect vehicle speed sensor connector (Fig.
13).
(17) Connect shift crossover and selector cables to
shift lever. Install cables to bracket and install
retaining clips (Fig. 12).
(18) Connect clutch cable to fork and secure to
transaxle (Fig. 11).
(19) Install bellhousing cap (Fig. 11).
(20) Connect back-up lamp switch connector.
(21) Connect ground strap to transaxle upper
mount bracket.
(22) Install battery lower tray and battery, and
tighten battery hold down clamp to secure battery.
(23) Install the air cleaner/throttle body assy. as
follows:
(a) Connect the accelerator and speed control (if
equipped) cables to the air cleaner/throttle body
assy.
(b) Install assy into position, making sure the
air cleaner locating slot is engaged to the battery
bracket tab, and tighten fasteners to 14 N´m (120
in. lbs.) torque.
(c) Verify throttle body duct is fully seated to
intake manifold and tighten clamp to 5 N´m (40 in.
lbs.) torque.
(d) Connect the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
and Idle Air Control (IAC) connectors.
(e) Connect proportional purge solenoid (PPS)
and crankcase vent hose from throttle body.
(24) Connect the battery cables.
(25) Road test vehicle and inspect for leaks.
Fig. 16 Starter Motor Removal/InstallationÐTypical
1 ± BOLT
2 ± GROUND
3±STARTER
4 ± BOLT
Fig. 17 Transaxle Upper Mount Thru-BoltÐTypical
1 ± MOUNT BRACKET
2 ± BOLT
3 ± MOUNT
PLCLUTCH 6 - 11
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

CAUTION: After removing the steering knuckle from
the ball joint stud, do not pull outward on the knuckle.
Pulling the steering knuckle outward at this point can
separate the inner C/V joint on the driveshaft. Refer to
FRONT DRIVESHAFTS in the DIFFERENTIAL AND
DRIVELINE group for further information.
NOTE: Use caution when separating the ball joint
stud from the steering knuckle, so the ball joint seal
does not get cut.
(6) Separate each ball joint stud from the steering
knuckle by prying down on lower control arm and up
against the ball joint boss on the steering knuckle
(Fig. 3).
(7) If the vehicle is equipped with a power steering
fluid cooler, remove the two screws securing the
cooler to the front suspension crossmember. They are
located behind the cooler and can be accessed from
above. Allow the cooler to hang out of the way.
(8) Using wire or cord, support and tie off the
power steering gear to the underbody of the vehicle,
so when the crossmember is lowered, the gear does
not fall away being held to the vehicle by only the
steering column coupler and the fluid hoses.
(9) Loosen and remove the four bolts attaching the
power steering gear to the front suspension cross-
member (Fig. 4). Remove the power steering gear
from the front suspension crossmember.
(10) Remove the bolt mounting the engine torque
strut to the right forward corner of the front suspen-
sion crossmember (Fig. 5).
NOTE: Before removing the front suspension
crossmember from the vehicle, the location of thecrossmember must be scribed on the body of the
vehicle (Fig. 9). Do this so that the crossmember
can be relocated upon reinstallation against the
body of vehicle in the same location as before
removal. If the front suspension crossmember is
not reinstalled in exactly the same location as
before removal, the preset front wheel alignment
settings (caster and camber) will be lost.
(11) Using an awl, scribe a line (Fig. 6) marking
the location of where the front suspension crossmem-
ber is mounted against the body of the vehicle.
(12) Position a transmission jack under the center
of the front suspension crossmember and raise it to
support the bottom of the crossmember.
(13) Loosen and completely remove the two front
bolts (one right and one left) attaching the front sus-
pension crossmember to the frame rails of vehicle.
The right side bolt can be viewed in the mounting
bolt figure (Fig. 5). The left side bolt is located in the
same location on the other side of the vehicle.
(14) Loosen the two rear bolts (one right and one
left) attaching the front suspension crossmember and
lower control arms to the body of the vehicle until
they release from the threaded tapping plates in the
body of the vehicle. Remove the rear bolts from the
body of the vehicle, but do not completely remove the
rear bolts because they are designed to disengage
from the body threads yet stay within the lower con-
trol arm rear isolator bushing. This allows the lower
control arm to stay in place on the crossmember. The
right side bolt can be viewed in the mounting bolt
figure (Fig. 5). The left side bolt is located in the
same location on the other side of the vehicle.
(15) Lower the front suspension crossmember.
Fig. 2 Ball Joint Bolt And Nut
1 ± NUT
2 ± BOLT
3 ± BALL JOINT
Fig. 3 Pry Bar Usage
1 ± STEERING KNUCKLE
2±PRYBAR
3 ± LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 ± BALL JOINT STUD
13 - 6 FRAME AND BUMPERSPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

TRANSAXLE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
NV T350 (A-578) MANUAL TRANSAXLE........ 131TH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE.............. 54
NV T350 (A-578) MANUAL TRANSAXLE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GENERAL INFORMATION
NV T350 (A578) MANUAL TRANSAXLE.........1
TRANSAXLE IDENTIFICATION................2
FLUID REQUIREMENTS....................2
SPECIAL ADDITIVES.......................2
SEALANTS..............................2
GEAR RATIOS............................2
GEARSHIFT PATTERN......................3
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
COMMON PROBLEM CAUSES...............3
HARD SHIFTING..........................3
NOISY OPERATION........................3
SLIPS OUT OF GEAR......................3
LOW LUBRICANT LEVEL....................4
FLUID LEAKS............................4
CLUTCH PROBLEMS.......................4
SERVICE PROCEDURES
FLUID DRAIN AND FILL.....................4
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
GEARSHIFT KNOB........................4
GEARSHIFT BOOT........................5
GEARSHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY..............6
GEARSHIFT MECHANISM REPLACEMENT......9
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR AND DRIVE
PINION...............................11
BACK-UP LAMP SWITCH...................12CROSSOVER LEVER......................12
SELECTOR LEVER.......................12
AXLE SHAFT SEALS......................13
SHIFT SHAFT SEALS......................13
TRANSAXLE............................14
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
TRANSAXLE............................18
INPUT SHAFT...........................31
OUTPUT SHAFT.........................36
DIFFERENTIAL..........................36
SYNCHRONIZER.........................41
SHIFT RAILS OVERHAUL..................42
TRANSAXLE CASE OVERHAUL..............42
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
TRANSAXLE............................48
SYNCHRONIZER.........................48
ADJUSTMENTS
GEARSHIFT CROSSOVER CABLE...........49
BEARING ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE........50
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD
ADJUSTMENT..........................50
SPECIFICATIONS
NV T350 (A-578) SPECIFICATIONS...........51
SPECIAL TOOLS
NV T350 (A-578) MANUAL TRANSAXLE........52
GENERAL INFORMATION
NV T350 (A578) MANUAL TRANSAXLE
The NV T350 (A-578) transaxle is a fully synchro-
nized (except reverse), constant-mesh transaxle. The
transaxle case is constructed of die-cast aluminum,
and is a two-piece design (bell housing case half and
rear housing case half) with a steel end plate bearing
cover. All forward gears are in constant-mesh witheach other, which eliminates the need to move gears
together for engagement. This feature improves
response and eliminates gear ªclashº noises. The
reverse idler gear is supported and rotates on a spin-
dle idler shaft. Depending on application, a reverse
gear brake/blocking ring is available on some units
for shifting ease.
The NV T350 (A-578) transaxle also incorporates an
open differential, which converts power from the output
shaft pinion gear to the differential ring gear. The dif-
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 1

ferential case transfers torque from the ring gear to the
drive axles by means of differential side gears.
The NV T350 (A-578) transaxle internal components
can only be serviced by separating the case halves.
CAUTION: The transaxle output shaft is serviced as
a unit. No disassembly and reassembly is possible.
Damage to the transaxle may result.
TRANSAXLE IDENTIFICATION
The transaxle model, part number, build sequence
and date are shown on a bar code label that is
attached to the front of the transaxle. This informa-
tion is also shown on a metal I.D. tag that is
attached to the end cover of the transaxle (Fig. 1).
NOTE: Transaxles use various final drive gear
ratios in different vehicle applications. Therefore, it
is necessary that the correct transaxle assembly
number is used when ordering service parts.
NOTE: There are three different versions of this
transaxle. There are no external differences
between the models. Refer to the identification tag
on the transaxle to determine which transaxle the
vehicle is equipped with.
FLUID REQUIREMENTS
NV T350 (A-578) transaxles use MopartManual
Transaxle Lubricant (MS-9417).Hypoid gear lube,
engine oil, and/or automatic transmission fluid
should not be used in this transaxle.Hard shift-
ing effort, bearing, gear, and/or synchronizer failure
may occur if incorrect fluid is used.
SPECIAL ADDITIVES
The addition of any fluids to the transaxle, other
than the fluid listed above, is not recommended. An
exception to this policy is the use of special dyes to
aid in detecting fluid leaks. The use of transmission
sealers should be avoided, since they may adversely
affect seals.
SEALANTS
The sealant used to seal the transaxle case halves
and input bearing is MopartGasket Maker, Loctitet
518, or equivalent. The sealant used for the bearing
end plate cover is MopartRTV.
GEAR RATIOS
CAUTION: All gears and shafts must not be inter-
changed with other transaxles; they will not func-
tion correctly.The differential is a conventional arrangement of
gears that is supported by tapered roller bearings.
The final output gear turns the ring gear and differ-
ential assembly, thereby turning the drive axle
shafts.
All transaxles have a torque capacity of 136 lb. ft.
The gear ratios of each transaxle are shown in the
following chart. The chart also shows which transax-
les are available with the reverse±input shaft brake.
This brake allows easier shifting into reverse and
helps eliminate reverse gear clash.
Fig. 1 NV T350 (A-578) Transaxle Identification
1 ± LAST 3 DIGITS OF PART #
2 ± DATE CODE
3 ± PRODUCTION LINE SEQUENCE CODE
4 ± FULL PART #
5 ± END COVER
6 ± METAL TAG
7 ± NVG MODEL #
8 ± LABEL
21 - 2 TRANSAXLEPL
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)

LOW LUBRICANT LEVEL
Insufficient transaxle lubricant is usually the
result of leaks, or inaccurate fluid level check or refill
method. Leakage is evident by the presence of oil
around the leak point. If leakage is not evident, the
condition is probably the result of an underfill.
If air±powered lubrication equipment is used to fill
a transaxle, be sure the equipment is properly cali-
brated. Equipment out of calibration can lead to an
underfill condition.
FLUID LEAKS
Fluid leaks can occur around the input shaft seal,
axleshaft seals, case split lines, and the end cover. Be
careful not to misdiagnose an input shaft seal leak
for an engine rear main seal leak. Also, the transaxle
case sealer (split line) will accumulate dirt and look
like an oil leak.
CLUTCH PROBLEMS
Worn, damaged, or misaligned clutch components
can cause difficult shifting, gear clash, and noise.
A worn or damaged clutch disc, pressure plate, or
release bearing can cause hard shifting and gear
clash.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
FLUID DRAIN AND FILL
All NV T350 (A-578) transaxles are equipped with
a fill plug. The fill plug is located on the left side of
the transaxle differential area (Fig. 3). The fluid level
should be within 3/16 inch from the bottom of the
transaxle fill hole (vehicle must be level when check-
ing).All NV T350 (A-578) transaxles are equipped with
a drain plug. The drain plug is located on the lower
right side of the transaxle differential housing (Fig.
4). Tighten drain plug to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.)
Dry fill lubricant capacity is approximately 1.9-2.2
liters (4.0-4.6 pints). Wipe the outside of the tran-
saxle if any lubricant spills.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
GEARSHIFT KNOB
REMOVAL
(1)Pull shifter boot down and away from shifter knob.
(2) Push down on knob and rotate clockwise to
remove (Fig. 5).
Fig. 3 Fill Plug Location
1 ± RUBBER FILL PLUG
2 ± LEFT DRIVESHAFT SEAL
Fig. 4 Drain Plug Location
1 ± RIGHT DRIVESHAFT SEAL
2 ± DRAIN PLUG
Fig. 5 Gearshift Knob Removal
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
21 - 4 TRANSAXLEPL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

(11) Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor connector
(Fig. 39).
(12) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(13) Remove transaxle oil drain plug and drain oil
into a suitable container.
(14) Remove both axle shafts. Refer to Group 3,
Differential and Driveline for the correct procedures.
(15) Remove structural collar (Fig. 40).
(16) Remove the left engine-to-transaxle lateral
bending brace (Fig. 40).
(17) Remove bellhousing dust cover (Fig. 40).
(18) Remove the right engine-to-transaxle lateral
bending brace (Fig. 41).
(19) Remove starter motor (Fig. 42).
(20) Remove drive plate-to-clutch module bolts.
(21) Support engine at oil pan with screw jack and
wood block.
(22) Remove transaxle upper mount thru-bolt.
Gain access to this bolt through the driver's side
wheel house (Fig. 43).
Fig. 39 Vehicle Speed Sensor Connector
1 ± CONNECTOR
2 ± SENSOR
3 ± O-RING
4 ± SPEEDO PINION
Fig. 40 Left Lateral Bending Brace and Structural
CollarÐTypical
1 ± LATERAL BENDING BRACE
2 ± STRUCTURAL COLLAR
3 ± DUST COVER
Fig. 41 Right Lateral Bending Brace Removal/
InstallationÐTypical
1 ± TRANSAXLE
2 ± ENGINE
3 ± LATERAL BENDING BRACE
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 15
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(23) Carefully lower engine and transaxle on screw
jack until proper removal clearance is obtained.
(24) Obtain a helper to assist in holding transaxle
while removing transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts
(Fig. 44).(25) Remove transaxle from vehicle (Fig. 44).
(26) If installing a new or replacement transaxle,
remove the upper mount as shown in (Fig. 45), trans-
fer to the replacement unit and torque all bolts to 68
N´m (50 ft. lbs.) torque.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install clutch module onto input shaft. Install
transaxle into position.
(2) Install transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts (Fig.
44) and tighten to 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Raise engine and transaxle with screw jack
until through hole in upper mount aligns with hole
in mount bracket. Install mount bolt and tighten to
108 N´m (80 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 43).
(4) Remove screwjack.
(5) Install drive plate-to-clutch module bolts and
torque to 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.) torque.
(6) Install starter motor and tighten bolts to 54
N´m (40 ft. lbs.) torque. Make sure to fasten ground
cable to upper starter bolt as shown in (Fig. 42).
(7) Connect starter electrical harness and tighten
positive cable nut to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.) torque.
(8) Install bellhousing dust cover (Fig. 40).
(9) Install left engine-to-transaxle bending brace
(Fig. 40).
(10) Install structural collar (Fig. 40) as follows:
(a) Position collar and install all bolts finger
tight.
(b) Tighten the collar-to-oil pan bolts to 3 N´m
(30 in. lbs.) torque.
(c) Tighten the collar-to-transaxle bolts to 108
N´m (80 ft. lbs.) torque.
(d) Final torque the collar-to-oil pan bolts to 54
N´m (40 ft. lbs.) torque.
(11) Install the right lateral bending brace and
tighten bolts to 81 N´m (60 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 41).
(12) Install both front axle driveshafts. Refer to
Group 3, Differential and Driveline for the correct
procedures.
(13) Fill transaxle with suitable amount of Mopart
Manual Transaxle Lubricant (PN 04874465).
(14) Lower vehicle.
(15) Connect vehicle speed sensor connector (Fig.
39).
(16) Connect shift crossover and selector cables to
shift lever. Install cables to bracket and install
retaining clips (Fig. 38).
(17) Connect clutch cable to fork and secure to
transaxle (Fig. 37).
(18) Install bellhousing cap (Fig. 37).
(19) Connect back-up lamp switch connector.
(20) Connect ground strap to transaxle upper
mount bracket.
(21) Install battery lower tray and battery, and
tighten battery hold down clamp to secure battery.
Fig. 42 Starter Motor Removal/InstallationÐTypical
1 ± BOLT
2 ± GROUND
3±STARTER
4 ± BOLT
Fig. 43 Transaxle Upper Mount Thru-BoltÐTypical
1 ± MOUNT BRACKET
2 ± BOLT
3 ± MOUNT
21 - 16 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(6) Remove bellhousing half from gear case half
(Fig. 49).
(7) Remove output shaft roller bearing from output
shaft.
(8) Remove differential assembly (Fig. 50).(9) Remove reverse idler shaft bolt (Fig. 51).
(10) Remove reverse idler shaft (Fig. 52).
Fig. 49 Bellhousing Case Half Removal
1 ± BELLHOUSING CASE HALF
2 ± DIFFERENTIAL
3 ± GEAR CASE HALF
Fig. 50 Differential Assembly Removal
1 ± INPUT SHAFT
2 ± OUTPUT SHAFT
3 ± DIFFERENTIAL
4 ± CASE
Fig. 51 Reverse Idler Shaft Bolt Removal
1 ± CASE
2 ± REVERSE IDLER SHAFT
3 ± REVERSE IDLER SHAFT BOLT
Fig. 52 Reverse Idler Shaft Removal
1 ± REVERSE IDLER SHAFT
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 19
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)

(21) Install reverse fork bracket and reverse lock-
out. Tighten screws to 11 N´m (96 in. lbs.) torque
(Fig. 91) (Fig. 92).(22) Install differential into gear case (Fig. 93).
BEARING ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE
(1) Use extreme care when removing and install-
ing bearing cups and cones. Use only an arbor press
for installation, as a hammer may not properly align
the bearing cup or cone. Burrs or nicks on the bear-
ing seat gives a false end±play reading while gauging
for proper shims. Improperly seated bearing cups and
cones are subject to low±mileage failure.
(2) Bearing cups and cones should be replaced if
they show signs of pitting or heat distress. If distress
is seen on either the cup or bearing rollers, both cup
and cone must be replaced.
(3) Bearing preload and drag torque specifications
must be maintained to avoid premature bearing fail-
ures. Used (original) bearings may lose up to 50% of
the original drag torque after break±in. All bearing
adjustments must be made with no other component
interference or gear intermesh.
(4) Replace bearings as a pair: If one differential
bearing is defective, replace both differential bear-
ings, if one input shaft bearing is defective, replace
both input shaft bearings.
(5) Bearing cones must not be reused if removed.
(6) Turning±torque readings should be obtained
while smoothly rotating in either direction.
Fig. 91 Reverse Fork Bracket
1 ± REVERSE FORK BRACKET
2 ± REVERSE CAM BLOCKOUT
3 ± SHIFT BLOCKER ASSEMBLY
Fig. 92 Reverse Fork Screws
1 ± SCREWS (2)
2 ± REVERSE FORK BRACKET
Fig. 93 Differential Assembly
1 ± INPUT SHAFT
2 ± OUTPUT SHAFT
3 ± DIFFERENTIAL
4 ± CASE
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 29
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)