On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 8:00 PM, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:
> "To do or not to do..... that is the question!" - removing my
> transmission myself and replacing leaking seals and clutch. Never done
> that before. Done about everything else, but not that. So, I'm looking
> for both opinions and guidance here.
>
> What say you, Volks?
>
> John Rodgers
>

I say go for it. It's not rocket surgery.  ;)

I found the hardest part, was getting the tranny back in. Ended up
doing a type of Vanagon South Beach workout. In hindsight, I would
have been well served to give myself more room (vehicle higher up) and
make a wood platform something like this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=343009&highlight=transmission

(scroll down a ways to McVanagons pics)

I had a similar idea a while back, but figured I would pop out the
jack saddle, attach a short piece of pipe or somesuch to the bottom of
the platform which would slip into the hole where saddle fit. (don't
know if that's a standard design on floor jacks though). Not something
I would "rely on" though.

Some like using these types of lifts:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950191000P?sid=BVReview

One of those would be nice. (maybe you could beg/borrow/steal one?)

In terms of tranny seals, have only dealt with the input shaft seal.
Easy to do. I'll bet replacement of the remaining seals is coming up
on the horizon though.  ;)  If it's simply replacing the clutch that's
pretty straight forward. I'd suggest taking the time to inspect the
other bits properly. (clutch tube, cross shaft etc.)

Not that you asked about all that though.... ;)

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines