How do you drop the transmission on a Mk2?

[Rabbit on Roids]

everyone has to find out how hard it is atleast one time. the one time i tried doing it, i looked at it from underneath, decided it looked scarry, then pulled it all out the top. but now im a mk1 guy again. drop the engine on the ground FTW!!

[commuter boy]

It's not all that hard.  Pull the CV joints out of the way, remove the front motor mount, unbolt the transaxle mounts, put a big floor jack under the engine, let it hang down and forward a bit and then pull out the last bolt and bench press the transaxle, slide it out so the shaft clears and down onto your chest, roll it to the side and Bob's your father's brother.

If you drain the oil out of the gearbox first it's a bit lighter, but they really are not that heavy.

[Rabbit on Roids]

but, thats way harder than un bolting it while the engine is hanging from a hoist in front of you.. then you dont have to bench press it. or lay it on your chest. im a big dude. plenty strong enough to pack whole 8v engines around. and i still pull the entire engine out to do it.and for an mk1, the engine gets set on the ground, then i separate it.

[rs899]

I don't think pulling the engine on a MkI is necessary.  I have just left the cursed passenger side mount in place, loosened that through bolt so it can pivot, lower the engine with a trolley jack under the oil pan.  That gets the engine pretty low and there's not a whole lot in the way.  On the MkII, you have the differential bump on the tranny interfering with the socket for the transmission mount, then you have to clear the steering rack.  You've also got power steering hoses, that front mount that has to clear the front part of the subframe, the mounting adder plate that bolts to the transmission...its involved

[Rabbit on Roids]

oh, i know..
i own some mk1s and mk2s. the mk2s are funner to drive. but the mk1s are funner to work on.