Hi,

My gearbox final drive has died at 53000 miles.

Can the gearbox be removed form beneath the car with the engine in place.

If so does anyone have a sequence of steps to remove it.

Is it worth just fixing the final drive with a repair kit with nuts and bolts to replace the rivets or fit a recon geargbox. The box was fine until the final drive went.

Thanks

It can be done from under neath its pretty easy really I always work from top to to bottom so disconnect anything connected to the box things like clutch cable reverse light wiring then undo the starter and move out vthe way. Then go abd remove the drive shafts up to u if u remove them completely its easier if u remove the near side one. Then undo the box bokts leaving one in o if there a dust shield covering the flywheel underneath remove this also. Then suport the engine with axel stand then undo the mounts then remove final bolt and wriggle the box out. I'm surebi have missed a few small bits but thats the basics. As for rebuilding it up to u if u feel u can do then go for it if not get a recon box or second hand one off here

Thanks think I can manage that just need the rain to stop.

I've gotta remove my gearbox tomorrow, I just put a ten quid gazebo over the engine bay if its raining.

Box came out quite easily following your instructions. Back bell housing bolt had corroded in. Had to resort to cold chisel to loosen bolt(ouch) as no room for long socket bar. Got recon box from Volks-Apart (Very helpful) VW database listed later box than actually fitted. My car has rod change but database listed later cable change. Fitted box but could not get reverse. Nearly had nervous breakdown as MOT on monday. Found out that the cable mechanism has a mouting lug on the bell housing that gets in the way. Was told to grind it off. Now works. So you can go cable to rod but not the other way. Just realised I'm getting to old to crawl about under cars but needs must. thanks for the help.

Yeah i've mentioned chopping the anchorage lug off in a couple of topics before, just not this one because most were cable lol