front trans mount

radioman · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 2:20 pm Post subject: front trans mount

73 Thing, stock. In 3rd and 4th, I notice (with my hand on the shifter) I get noticable play in the shifter when I let off the gas....or re-accelerate. Does NOT jump out of gear...just more movement than I expect. Have replaced the shift bushing, the connector at the rear (Ican't recall what we call it) and the REAR tranny mounts. The front appears OK, but could be original and needing replacement.
Question 1: Does this sound like a replace issue.....will be pulling the engine next month to re-install the missing thermostat...and this seems like a good time to do the front tranny mount.
Question 2: with the engine out can I replace the front tranny mount with the tranny in place???? If so, How??? Thanks Bill
_________________
It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

bljones · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 4:09 pm Post subject:

Bill, sorry to say it, but the tranny has to come out.
_________________
OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"

2%

radioman · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject:

B: Tranny completely OUT???....have never done that...can you give me some step by step or advice. Do you think my shift lever movement might or is a function of the front mount??? THANKS bILL
_________________
It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

bljones · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 6:35 pm Post subject:

you mention that you have replaced the shift rod bushings, which would have been my first bet for your problem, but before you go tearing the trans out, pop the inspection cover, and check that everything is still as it should be. then if all is good there, you only have two options- bad mounts or the trans itself is due for R&R- either way, it's gotta come out.

once you get the engine out, removing the trans is pretty straightforward. Up top, unbolt the shift rod at the linkage.
Down below, two bolts at the end of the frame horns, cv bolts, trans mount bolts, clutch cable, and then ease it out.
_________________
OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"

2%

emersonbiggins · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 7:27 pm Post subject:

Put the car in gear and have someone push it forward and back pretty hard. Watch the front of the transaxle to see if it is going up and down. If it does, your mount is bad. You have described the typical symptoms.

IRS transaxles are a lot easier to change the front mount on.

TimGud · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 7:39 pm Post subject:

I have changed the front mount by removing the rear tin, loosening the heater cables (on a 74), throttle cable, clutch cable, four front mount nuts, the two big rear mount carrier bolts ,shift coupler and prying it slightly to the rear just far enough to replace the mount. I realize that pulling it isn't much more work, but his one gets a bit lazy at times.

emersonbiggins · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 8:43 pm Post subject:

I wasn't going to admit to cheating. But yes the mount can be changed with some prying.

TimGud · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:25 am Post subject:

Cheating?

I like any short cut that does no harm and fixes the problem. I expected to read this short cut in the posts above mine.

emersonbiggins · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 11:40 am Post subject:

His plans are to take the motor out to fix other problems. The only thing that wouldn't have to be unbolted is the CV joints to get the transaxle forward/back enough to change the mount. On an IRS it isn't that big of a deal to take the CV joints apart. Good time to check the boots and grease.

The 2 big bolts that go into the frame to mount the transaxle can be a bitch to get back in if everything else isn't loose.

radioman · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 4:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. E: and Tim : I REALLY don't wnat to completely remove the whole thing..........with the engine out and the front mount bolts/nuts off and the big frame horn bolts out,I feel like I can pry and hump enought to get the old mount out and the new one in.Do I have to take the shocks off? I have not tried the "in gear, hump the car and watch the mount" yet but I will and if that tells me what we all think, then I'll proceed. thanks again, as usual Very Happy

Bill ps: sorry I can't spell...I think I've been drinking Laughing

_________________
It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

emersonbiggins · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:36 pm Post subject:

No you don't need to take the shocks off but you do need to disconnect everything else TimGud mentioned previously.

radioman · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:15 pm Post subject:

E: I slid under the car and had my wife bump it and I see no movement at all in the front mount. Perhaps I will just wait and see. Thanks Bill
_________________
It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

emersonbiggins · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:52 pm Post subject:

You need to really rock it back and forth. Watch the tailpipe while you do it at the back to see if it goes up and down.

Maybe there is another problem.

kubelmann · Samba Member Joined: April 13, 2003 Posts: 3266

As long as the motor is coming out I would pull the trans and replace all the mounts wiht the Urethane type. I would also pull the CVs and clean, regrease and carefully check the CV boots. It takes me under 2 hours to complete pull a trans. When the trans goes back in remember to clearly think which mount goes where in what order. If you want some very comprehensive advise on checking out your trans for troubles go to the Shop Talk Forum under the transaxle forum. the moderator who goes by Henryhoehandle is one of the leading VW transaxle experts around. His name is actually Eric and he has an icredible tranaxle diagnosis and troubleshooting web page. Aslo if you pmail him wiht any question you have he will painstakingly share all he knows and he answers mail very quickly. K-mann

radioman · Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 4:42 pm Post subject:

As nearly as I can tell, Shop Talk Forum is dead. Am I wrong?
_________________
It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

suntour · Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject:

Well Shop Talk Forum is running again. (for now at least.) Some one must have found a defibrillator and brought it back to life for one more round…

bljones · Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 7:37 pm Post subject:

bljones · Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 7:43 pm Post subject:

never mind. found it. i knew i had it bookmarked.

http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/9702/transtalk.html
_________________
OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"

2%

radioman · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 1:38 pm Post subject:

Soon will be pulling engine to put in thermostat and some other work. When we talk about "prying" the transmission back to replace the front mount(thanks Mike Basso)....what does pry mean? Do I need a come-along-rig???or just a long pry bar? Where is safe to pry on the front of the transmission? I will have a helper....I just don't want to lose any fingers...his or mine. Thanks
_________________
It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

iltis74 · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 4:49 pm Post subject:

Front trans mounts rarely go, and from what I've seen aftermarket ones are junk compared to stock. It couldn't hurt looking at it, but I wouldn't replace it until you know for sure the one you have is trash.


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