Date:         Fri, 25 Aug 2006 13:45:59 +0000
Reply-To:     dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: partial transmission drop(was: Manual trans. leak 88 GL)
Comments: To: Matt Sutton <msutts@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <C11472E4.68DF%msutts@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

This is a fairly easy task if you have room, a good jack and jack stands. Steps are:
With van still level, remove tranny drain plug and drain gear oil.
Jack up van and place on jack stands. Higher is better as long as jack with a couple boards or 4X4 can reach bottom of tranny.
Check length of hoses from t-stat housing to make sure there is sufficient length to drop engine ~4 inches. Disconnect if needed.
Remove shifter bracket from tranny.
Place jack to support tranny.
Remove 4 bolts holding front mount to chassis.
Remove clamp on clutch line if still there.
lower tranny enough to clear front cover bolts.
Remove mount.
Remove front cover, be prepared to catch more gear oil.
Let drain for real long time. Keep things clean.
Wipe, Wipe, Wipe so front face stops getting oil soaked.
Reinstall new cover using "Right Stuff" for sealant.
Re-install mount to trans.
Raise trans and bolt mount to chassis.
Re-attach hoses, clips, etc.
Re-attach shifter bracket. Adjustment of bracket or shift rod may be needed. Check for 1st gear operation.
Refill tranny with van level.
Inspect for any parts missed, etc.

Dennis



----- Original Message -----
From: Matt Sutton
Date: Friday, August 25, 2006 9:31 am
Subject: partial transmission drop(was: Manual trans. leak 88 GL)
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Hi Folks,
>
> I picked up a used transmission cover from Daryl at AA
> transaxle, and I'm
> preparing to put it in today or tomorrow. I've never messed
> with this area
> of the van before, so there are worries, confusion(s), etc.
>
> From what I've been able to find, procedure-wise, the front of the
> transmission is the last bit to be detached from the frame. The
> part of I'm
> replacing is there; the cover with four bolts that mate with the
> mountingbracket. Is there a way that I can do this without a
> complete engine/tranny
> drop? Or without the whole drive train coming down and pinning me?
>
> Normally I'm game for jumping into unknown procedures, but I'm
> having a hard
> time visualizing how to pull this off.
>
> thanks,
>
> Matt Sutton
> 88 GL
> Brooklyn NY
>