85 Jetta Diesel Transaxle Mount Replacement

[man630]

I'm trying to replace the drivers side transaxle mount on a 85 Jetta NA Diesel. Just jacking up the transaxle does not allow for enough clearance to remove the mount out of the deep well it sits in. The top of transaxle is hitting the frame/body and won't allow the needed clearance. I'm about 1/4 to 1/2" shy. Will loosening the passenger side engine mount and front mount allow more clearance? I might replace the (Pass. side) engine mount also, how easy or hard is this to do?

Thanks
Randy

[tripicana]

i think you are going to have to undo all the mounts, and lift the engine/trans as much out of the way as you can. should be able to get to all the mounts then. i've never replaced mounts or pulled the motor/trans, but undoing all the mounts seems like the way to go.
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foam cowboy hats aren't good helmets.

[man630]

I gave the trans axle mount another battle today. I removed the 3 bolts on the pass. side motor mount and the 2 front motor mount bolts. Jacked up both sides of the engine and trans axle. There is still not enough clearance to remove the trans axle mount (when flipped sideways). I even cut about 1/8" off each side of the trans axle mount to give me a little more clearance. The issue is the trans axle will only raise up a certain amount and then the (5 speed housing) hits the frame/body and stops further travel. The mount that sits on top of the trans axle mount seems to be part of the trans axle and can't be unbolted? I'm I missing something simple or obvious?? My only other idea is to cut the rubber top off the tran axle mount and lift it straight up and out. The new mount can be filed around the edges to give more clearance when I install it. But this could be risky and I'm not sure if this will work? Car is a 85 Jetta Diesel NA with a 5 sp. tranny.

Thanks
Any Guidance Appreciated!
RDB

[bvolks]

There are 3 13mm bolts that hold the driver's side mount (and the shifting linkage if I recall correctly) to the transaxle. I've changed that mount a couple times and never had to remove the passenger's side motor mount to do it.
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1985 Diesel Jetta Coupe (temporarily retired at
756,000 kms)
1989 Jetta GLI
1971 Doublecab project
1995 Golf CL