Transmission removal

[tjg]

Ok i got my transmission this moringing and im already tearing the car apart and i was wondering what you got to do to get the tranny out of the car. Are you supposed to drop the subframe, am i suposed to take out the whole suspension on the passenger side, some helpful hints would be great by you guys.

[Tachyon]

This is how I do it on my 1g AWD:

1. remove Castle nuts from both front wheel driveshafts.
2. loosen lugnuts on both wheels.
3. jack front end of car up and prop with somthing safe.
4. drain gear oil out of the transmission.
5. while oil is draining, remove front wheels and unbolt the brake calipers on both wheels and use some string or hangers to secure them to the springs so that you don't damage the rubber lines.
6. unbolt the shocks from the hub assembly (both sides).
7. push the drive shafts out of the hub assembly.
8. unbolt support member that runs under your transmission.
9. remove your transfer case and place it on somthing.
10. crawl under the car and remove the center bearing bracket located on the driver side driveshaft.
11. pry the driveshafts out the transmission using a large bladed screwdriver - crawl under car and push the screwdriver in between axel cup and transmission then twist in one swift motion.
12. gently thread your now freed driveshafts out past the wheel hubs and place them in a safe place.
13. unbolt small sheild between oil pan and bell housing on bottom of transmission.
14. remove starter, reverse gear signal wire, clutch cylinder and speedometer cable.
15. support transmission - I use an engine hoist with a cotton rope looped around the transmission, but I used to use a floor jack from the bottom.
16. remove top transmission mounting bracket.
17. remove bolts holding bell housing to engine.
18. grapple the transmission by leaning over the side of the car and tugging it until the input shaft is free of the clutch.
19. lower the transmission to the floor.
20. drink a beer.

That's pritty much it. I just read that you have a 2nd gen so it is probably slightly different then mine, but this should help you get started.

[clean2g]

Step 1: Read at VFAQ.com (There's one about clutch install for a 2g that also shows tranny removal steps)

Step 2: Get a Repair Manual

Step 3: Ask Questions

Also, it might help if we knew what kinda car it was.. 1g or 2g? FWD or AWD? We need more info.

[tjg]

ITs a 2g awd tsi manual

[Shane@DBPerformance]

You need to support the motor on a 2G.

[AJ]

An engine hoist and a transmission stand are wonderfull tools for this job, even if you need to rent them from someplace.

[munster000]

An engine hoist and a transmission stand are wonderfull tools for this job, even if you need to rent them from someplace.

lol

[tjg]

I just got off work, so do i have to drop the subframe on a 2g or no?

[clean2g]

After removing tranny fluid, both axles and transfer case there's a big plate/frame ("right member") piece going down the middle of the car. That has to be removed but before you remove that you HAVE to hoist the motor somehow like people have said above, because a motor mount is attached to that frame piece. (Not to mention, another motor mount is attached to the tranny. I believe you also have to remove the bolts on the motor/tranny mount behind and under the motor. Plan on the motor being attached to only one motor mount after all said and done.)

After that there is another smaller triangular plate near the middle of the car on the passanger side that needs to come off. After you check that your motor is securly hoisted (should already be hoisted at this point), remove the bolts that hold the tranny to the motor mount on the left side of the engine bay. Remove the 3 bolts on the motor mount behind and under the motor/tranny. Make sure everything is disconneted from tranny, reverse light switch, speed sensor, shift cables etc. Prepare to drop the tranny, use a jack or something to help you. You can't drop it alone, you need at least one other person. I say that to protect you from breaking something, people have done it on there own but I don't recommend it. Unbolt the tranny from the block and remove. There is a corner on the passenger side at the back of the engine bay that the tranny tends to get stuck on so just watch for that. You can see it from the passenger side wheel well. And like I said, there's a really good and detailed VFAQ at vfaq.com on removing the tranny but its together with the intstructions to swap a clutch. Same steps though. I think its called clutch swap or something under drivetrain. If I have said something incorrect someone correct me.

[tjg]

I got the transfercase and starter off and all that is left is the tranny mounts so its coming down tomorrow morning, would be tonite but i'm taking my g/f out to the movies. Ill let you know how it goes.