Automatic Tran R&R

dusty67

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2006
Location
WC Indiana
TDI
02 Jetta auto
I have checked with the search feature and can't find any "how to's" on removing and replacing an automatic tranny. Ours has 180,000 on it and seems ok but I like to plan ahead. A new tranny is cheaper than replacing the car so that is the path I look towards. My wife likes the auto so a stick swap is not an option. Thanks.
 

Dakota2004

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2005
Location
North Dakota
TDI
2002 Jetta
Your best bet would be to purchase a Bentley manual if you don’t already have one and follow it, that’s what I did when I swapped out my auto.

Here are the correct part numbers for all the stretch bolts needed to replace your automatic transmission.

Ball joint to control arm
N 101 277 06 (3 each)

Transmission mount
N 102 096 03 (2 each)

Transmission support
N 905 970 01 (2 each)
N 907 076 01 (1 each)

Pendulum mount to body
N 102 683 02 (2 each)

Pendulum mount bracket
N 102 466 03 (1 each)
N 905 970 01 (1 each)

It cost me 16.36 plus 7.95 shipping from http://www.1stvwparts.com/ and they had all bolts in stock
 

jasonTDI

TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Location
Oregon, WI
TDI
04', 05', 06' TDI's. Audi SQ5, RAM Rebel
It's a B****. That thing is SERIOUSLY HEAVY. Plus you have to get the shaft lined up with the inside of the trans as the torque converter always comes off the trans and stays on the car. Unless someone has perfected a way to get it(trans) slid back enough to remove the 3 bolts that hold it to the flex plate......HATE those things.....
 

alphaseinor

TDI Innovator, Gone but Not Forgotten
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Location
Denton, TX
TDI
'03 Jetta TDI 780,000 miles (totaled out), 01 Audi TT 225 Quattro 230,000 Miles (runs great!), 00 Cabreetle Beetle dash, ALH & MK4 harness Swap
yes... very heavy tranny... almost easier just to drop the motor and transmission... don't forget the G12 coolant!

or you can just swap for a 5 speed... finally get the 50 MPG you have always wanted...
 

D Harvey

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2007
Location
Lincoln, NE
TDI
2001 Beetle
dusty67 said:
I have checked with the search feature and can't find any "how to's" on removing and replacing an automatic tranny. Ours has 180,000 on it and seems ok but I like to plan ahead. A new tranny is cheaper than replacing the car so that is the path I look towards. My wife likes the auto so a stick swap is not an option. Thanks.
My wife was stuck on our automatic until it went out. She learned to drive a stick and now loves the stick. Plus got better mileage.
BUT... if you're gonna stick with the auto listen to these other guys--especially about the heavy part. Have another person help you steady it as you remove it from the car just for safety sake.
If you rotate the engine by hand you can get all three flex plate bolts so you then will be able to keep the TC with the transmission.
 

MOGolf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 27, 2001
Location
underneath something
TDI
2001 Golf GLS TDI Reflex silver, rough road suspension and steel skid plate, 2004 Passat Variant, Candy White, rough road suspension and geared balanced shaft module, and much, much more. 2016 LR RR HSE TD6, 2019 Jaguar I-PACE
Jetaah (up in Fowlerville, MI) helped r/r mine. He brought his home made support to fit on top of a Harbor Freight transmission support that fit on my floor jack. I now have a copy of his support that works for manuals and automatics.

The transmisson weighs nearly 200 pounds. Don't expect to muscle this in and out by yourself.
There isn't a lot of coolant loss if you clamp off the cooler hoses.
Get the Bentley service manual to follow the step-by-step procedure, though I'd remove the nuts from the torque converter before unbolting the transmission mount atop and the dog bone below.
Doing this with the car on a lift is easier than on jack stands. On jack stands you'll need to have the car up as high as you can get it. I even put a couple of layers of 3/4 plywood under stands to get more height.
Removing the front bumper skin also helps to get clearance to get the transmission out (if not using a lift).
Total time to r/r is about 6 hours if you have the right tools. Expect longer if you've never done it before.

Jason, there's an access hole at the back side of the engine above the rightside driveshaft with a cover. Remove the cover and rotate the engine to get to the TC/driveplate nuts. It's not really a hard thing to unbolt it. The TC should come out with the transmission. Just don't drop the nuts while reassembling.
 
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