Remove transmission from the bottom? (I searched)

**mtroxel** · 08-26-2008 08:56 AM

Shop just called. Automatic Tranmission is gone on my 96 A4 Q with the V6. Bentley tells me to take the engine and trannny out through the top, all as one unit. I see some other guys have just taken it out the bottom.

If I take it out the bottom, I assume I have to take off the headers to make room?

Anyone dropped the auto tranny out the bottom on a B5? What do I need to know?

**MacDaddy** · 08-26-2008 02:13 PM

its likeley either the solenoids have failed, or the f-clutch drum. what was the car doing before you took it into the shop?

**mtroxel** · 08-26-2008 04:13 PM

I floored it getting on to a freeway...then saw smoke behind me. I probably dove it two miles to my house. The last mile (all side streets) I see a trail of fluid. There was fluid all the way up my driveway and I still had power to get up my driveway. It seemed to shift normally all the way...even into the garage.

**ILoveT** · 08-26-2008 04:23 PM

That's so JDM.

**mtroxel** · 08-26-2008 04:28 PM

OK I'll bite. What's JDM?

**MacDaddy** · 08-26-2008 06:58 PM

Japan Domestic Market.

well thats the first I've heard of a ZF transmission doing that, sounds more like it sprung a leak from something (like a transmission oil cooler line) onto the exhaust. theres really not much to go wrong mechanically with the transmission. I would ask exactly what they want to do, if they want to just swap the tranny with a re-man i would be weary of letting that shop touch my car.

**mtroxel** · 08-26-2008 07:09 PM

I'm going to pull it out myself. If it is a leak from the front of the tranny like the shop thinks, I might just change a seal and put it back in. On the other hand, do I do all that work and put back a tranny with 238,000 miles?

**Daft** · 08-26-2008 07:32 PM

Hey man. Long time so speak.

Yeah, it's gonna drop out from the bottom. You just have to get everything out of the way and be waiting for it. It's a heavy sucker.

Pull the downpipes, disconnect the front axles, disconnect the rear drive shaft, disconnect all the harnesses/links to the tranny, remove the side tranny mounts and then remove the bolts that hold it to the engine and slide it back to clear the torque converter and then down.

I'm also going to move this thread to the A4 forum just to keep it within the intended audience.

**mtroxel** · 08-26-2008 08:15 PM

Thanks Daft.

**mtroxel** · 09-02-2008 07:17 PM

OK....so got the tranny out. Good size job. Bentley tells me to make sure I secure the torque converter so it doesn't fall out. Hell I can't pry the thing out. I have no idea how to get it out and Bentley is so sure it's going to fall out they offer no help at all.

Anyone know how to get the torque converter out of the 5 speed automatic?

**offroader1006** · 09-03-2008 11:46 AM

pull steadily while turning back and forth, it takes a minute to get the feel for TC installing and removing.

**mtroxel** · 09-03-2008 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by offroader1006

pull steadily while turning back and forth, it takes a minute to get the feel for TC installing and removing.

Cripes I had to put the three flywheel bolts back on, and had a buddy help me...we pried with three pry bars on the three bolts...it finally came.

Here's the shaft of the torque converter. Looks a little pitted where the seal meets it.