HELP!!! Taking out my Cabby's tranny. I'm lost!

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:42 am

Find the seam between the trans. and the motor. Start looking for large (17mm) bolt heads around the circumference. Make note of these. If your working on your back you are going to want to support the motor with blocks of wood, moving straps, or if you have an engine cradle that would be the best method. Remove the starter, 3 bolts holding this in place, disconnect the positive battery cable at the battery before you remove the connections at the starter. Next off is the shlfter linkage, then remove the speedo cable and disconnect the reverse light switch.
I don't recall if there is a mount under the radiator on the automatic, if there is then remove that now. At this point you need to remove the inspection plate at the bottom of the transmission. 8mm bolts (2 I think) and the sheet metal plate can be pulled off, rotate the crank shaft and the flex plate will move and you can see the torque convertr bolts, remove these now. When you get those out (be sure to get all of them) then block the trans. up and remove the rear trans. mount. After this it's all muscle and finesse. You will need to spin the top of the trans. to the front of the car and drop at the same time. It's kind of tricky. The higher you get the car off the ground the easier the last step will be. I may have missed a few bolts here or there but this is the jist of the job. Good luck and post any issues you have, somebody here will have an answer.

Post by **Briano1234** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:42 pm

Get a 3 foot wire tie if it is an automatic, then worke it from one of the back holes to one of the front holes and ty-wrap it together to hold the torque convertor inplace... you have to make sure that you are getting it in front of the torque convertor... there are no reverse lights on the auto, and there are 3 different cables that you have to loosen.

There is a rear tranny mount that is normal, and then the normal front mount, and the Side mount is on a large bracket...

My88Tortugo · Post by **My88Tortugo** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:22 pm

I'm taking the starter off but I absolutely cannot get to the top bolt. I've tried the smallest socket wrench I have and the shortest box wrench I have. They just won't let me get in there. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a 1/2 in. universal socket. Do you guys know any tricks for gettting to that last bolt or am I going to have to take off more stuff to make some wrench room in there?

Post by **Briano1234** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:03 pm

That is the same a 15 or 17mm or is it 14... some extensions to get the handle out to swing, then a breaker bar or short cheater....

Remember to clean the Threads and never sieze them...when you go back and don't forget to tie that torque convertor

My88Tortugo · Post by **My88Tortugo** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:37 pm

Where is the torque converter...I mean what does it look like? Am I even getting close to pulling the tranny?

gull · Post by **gull** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:05 am

It's in between the engine and transmission, in the bell housing. (That vaguely bell-shaped part of the transmission that bolts to the engine.) If you're more familiar with manual transmissions, it occupies the space where the clutch would be on one of those.

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:21 pm

If the metal shield is still attached to the starter it is very difficult to get that last upper bolt. Try going in from the right side with a 8" to 12" extension and a socket. If you have not taken the passenger side axle out then you may need to for wrench room. It's not as hard as it seems. Getting the car up off the ground as high as possible is key.

My88Tortugo · Post by **My88Tortugo** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:52 pm

Screw this... no knowledge, no time, no tools. Anyone want to purchase an '88 Cabby in good condition? Needs new water pump and tranny seal. Has new alternator, battery, brakes. Just tuned up and runs great if you can replace the seal. $800 obo. I hate to see it go but I think it's time for me to say goodby to my little tortugo

Post by **Briano1234** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:24 pm

From the description of what you are saying if the leak is in the Front then of the bell housing (shaped like a bell) then I would susppect that the Torque convertor seal or the front main blew. The pop could also be indicitave that the torque convertor took a dump.

There is only 2 seals on the front of the tranny one for the torque convertor and one for the main shaft seal.

The torque convertor has the fins on it that ytou can see throught the holes in the bell housing.

It is quite common to get discouraged,,,hell I do all the time and I have been working on cars for a long time... we can help you if you need it.

where are you located?

My88Tortugo · Post by **My88Tortugo** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:43 pm

I appreciate it. I'm in San Diego. My car is in a friends garage in Mira Mesa.

Post by **Briano1234** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:50 pm

That is a little far for me to commute, being tha tI am on the other coast, I will help you any way I can if you want to work on it... I am sure there are others here that feel the same.

My88Tortugo · Post by **My88Tortugo** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:52 pm

Thank you

Post by **Briano1234** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:36 am

When you get the tranny out you might want to paint it....

I did

if you see the two big square holes in the bellhousing, that is what I placed the ty-wrap through to hold the torque convertor at.

The Bentley and the Chiltons don't show you the 1 13/64 inch clearance that you need to watch out for but the Haynes does......when you are going back. As I really thing that you have a seal or convertor issue youwill have to take it off, so you don't need to strap it.... how ever, it is a royal pain in the ass to get back on.... trust me on that...

Just use the attachment screws that hold it to the flywheel, and that will allow you to twist and push it in place.

Post by **Briano1234** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:12 am

As far as discouragement goes, we all have been there from time to time, if you don't believe me read thread. Some more recently than others, but take your time and get it right..........

And I only had the car about a month...then this.

viewtopic.php?t=1260

Cabby's and such are like a box of chocolates, ya never know what you are getting till you bite.

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:29 am

If you don't use this car for transportation to and from work then there is no reason to give up.

You couldn't possibly have known all the right things to say to a woman on your first date and you didn't give up on that.

I have been wrenching a loooooong time, last night I installed a simple wheel bearing in an Eclipse....... 4 times!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (as a side note, when you assemble the bearing and hub in an Eclipse it binds up to the point of no movement

)

Make sure you take care of the necessities in life, food, sleep, companionship etc. If these are in balance everything else flows a little smoother.

Anything we can give as far as technical advice and support has been offered. Stay with it, the VW experience is worth it.

Steve