MK2 Tranny removal/install
Wow, just dropped a tranny out of a MK2 golf for the first time - what a job!! I ended up removing the motor mount brackets off the diff and 5th gear housing to get it to wiggle out... it will be tough to put them back on when the tranny is in the car.
Question is, does anyone have any tips on the best way to remove a tranny and more importantly, how to put one back in? thanks
(I completely removed the front motor mount and its housing. I also undid the DS ball joint and tie rod end to swing the drive shaft out of the way. )
Mk II Transmission Removal
I sympathize with you. When I was younger, I would remove it out with the motor installed in the car. Just like the other post said, you really need to remove both the front mount and make sure you have the motor well supported from above. The Bentley manual shows a picture of a "cross fender support" that you can fabricate. I highly recommend you do not try to do it alone. Today, even though I run a MkIII Jetta in ITB, the issue has not changed, I find that it is easier to pull out the entire assembly, Pull out the axle assemblies, too. engine/transaxle out and reinstall the assembly attached. The other reason I do pull the entire assembly is that it forces me to re-torque all the bolts, etc, again. It also forces me to inspect the CV joints,.I figure it takes me about 4 hours of extra time. It also allows me to keep the engine compartment clean also, etc. etc. Yes it is alot of work, but at 67, the transaxle is just too heavy and bulky for me to handle by myself. But if you are young and strong, it can be removed with the motor installed as long as you have it up on 4 jack stands.
David Ellis-Brown