removing trans in diesel vanagon

[karush]

Do I have to remove engine mounts in order to remove the trans in my diesel vanagon? Thanks, Paolo.

[MarkWard]

You need to tilt the engine down in the front to have room to pull the transmission out with the engine installed. Both style mounts have enough play in them that you should be ok without removing them, but you need to support the flywheel end of the engine either from above or below to keep it from dropping too far and jamming against the rear valance.

[karush]

Thank you for the info. Would you replace the needle bearing in the end of the crank while it's off? If so what's the best way to remove this bearing? Thanks, Paolo.

[bridgetroll13]

you don't absolutely have to but it's an inexpensive part and if you don't have any idea when the last time it was replaced and you have time to wait for it to arrive in the mail... I'm pretty sure it will just pull out with your finger or more likely a cotter pin puller which looks like a screwdriver with the end bent into a crooked hook.

How's the clutch?

Erik

'82 diesel Westy, 1.9td AAZ, AAP 5 spd
'91 Vanagon GL
'74 Super Beetle

[Gnarlodious]

You don’t have to remove the mounts.

Best way to get the pilot bearing out is fill it with grease inside and give it a whack with a dowel through the hole. The viscous material backpressures the bearing out.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit