transmission swap appears to be a success! (long)
09-16-2008, 05:43 AM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
transmission swap appears to be a success! (long)
It was a long three weeks, most of that time waiting for parts. A few random comments:
- doing this on a mid rise lift actually wasn't too bad. If you're on the fence about getting a lift, I can say that I've done every possible repair on mine. Would I love a full height, absolutely!
I don't have the ceiling height though so it's my only option.
- The swap it itself was more time consuming than complicated. If you have already tackled (successfully) dropping the subframe, control arms, output seals, axle replacement, etc., then you've had a good primer for this job.
- Why did I do it myself? Not necessarily the money but that didn't hurt. The place I would have brought it to was going to charge around $1,800 (low estimate was $1,200). Because I was using the trans from my other car, there was always the slight risk that there could be something wrong with it that the bench test didn't detect.
If that were true, I would have been on the hook for that cost AND scrambling around to find another one or get one of mine rebuilt. It would have been ugly.
I also knew that I could get some other things done while it was opened up. If I added these to the $1,800 it would have easily been over $3k.
- changed the rear main seal
- changed the rear cam plugs
- cleaned the trans drains
- upper and lower oil pan gaskets (RTV on the
40v)
- New lower control arms
- TC seal and all three output seals on the
transmission.
- Fluid and filter change
It shifts perfectly just like it did in my old car. I've put about 125 miles on it so far and it's been flawless.
My mistakes were:
- stressing the engine harness (my engine support wasn't high enough) which caused a previously cracked throttle control valve to malfunction. That caused a bunch of codes to appear just as was going for a test drive.
- not having the front axles connected for the test run (before re-installing the subframe).
- not checking the height of the trans jack that I rented. I only used this for the install and I'm glad I did. I had to lower the car down onto the trans once the jack was at full height.
- connecting the starter wire to the wrong terminal. I had easy access and had a 50/50 chance. Fortunately, I came across Paul's post where he did the same thing and now I can see why. It's NOT the terminal facing you at the front of the starter.
- I'm getting one drop of unknown fluid which hangs between the trans and engine. It doesn't hit the ground or subframe so I'm not too worried about it. I don't think it's oil and it doesn't look like trans fluid either. Is it possible for gear oil to run down and leak in this area? I'll keep an eye on it, maybe it will just stop.
I took some pics and will post in the FAQ at some point.
Special thanks to Gabor (Tozo) for helping me through some of the points where I got hung up. You were a huge help!
Bob
- doing this on a mid rise lift actually wasn't too bad. If you're on the fence about getting a lift, I can say that I've done every possible repair on mine. Would I love a full height, absolutely!
I don't have the ceiling height though so it's my only option.
- The swap it itself was more time consuming than complicated. If you have already tackled (successfully) dropping the subframe, control arms, output seals, axle replacement, etc., then you've had a good primer for this job.
- Why did I do it myself? Not necessarily the money but that didn't hurt. The place I would have brought it to was going to charge around $1,800 (low estimate was $1,200). Because I was using the trans from my other car, there was always the slight risk that there could be something wrong with it that the bench test didn't detect.
If that were true, I would have been on the hook for that cost AND scrambling around to find another one or get one of mine rebuilt. It would have been ugly.
I also knew that I could get some other things done while it was opened up. If I added these to the $1,800 it would have easily been over $3k.
- changed the rear main seal
- changed the rear cam plugs
- cleaned the trans drains
- upper and lower oil pan gaskets (RTV on the
40v)
- New lower control arms
- TC seal and all three output seals on the
transmission.
- Fluid and filter change
It shifts perfectly just like it did in my old car. I've put about 125 miles on it so far and it's been flawless.
My mistakes were:
- stressing the engine harness (my engine support wasn't high enough) which caused a previously cracked throttle control valve to malfunction. That caused a bunch of codes to appear just as was going for a test drive.
- not having the front axles connected for the test run (before re-installing the subframe).
- not checking the height of the trans jack that I rented. I only used this for the install and I'm glad I did. I had to lower the car down onto the trans once the jack was at full height.
- connecting the starter wire to the wrong terminal. I had easy access and had a 50/50 chance. Fortunately, I came across Paul's post where he did the same thing and now I can see why. It's NOT the terminal facing you at the front of the starter.
- I'm getting one drop of unknown fluid which hangs between the trans and engine. It doesn't hit the ground or subframe so I'm not too worried about it. I don't think it's oil and it doesn't look like trans fluid either. Is it possible for gear oil to run down and leak in this area? I'll keep an eye on it, maybe it will just stop.
I took some pics and will post in the FAQ at some point.
Special thanks to Gabor (Tozo) for helping me through some of the points where I got hung up. You were a huge help!
Bob
Trending Topics
09-16-2008, 09:55 AM
#8
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: beside the Great Salty Wetspot
Posts: 4,898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Way to stick with it. I feel your pain....
and sense of accomplishment.
<img src="http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/DavesData2/1999%20Audi%20A4%20Quattro/A4Trans.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
<img src="http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/DavesData2/1999%20Audi%20A4%20Quattro/DSCN4489.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
<img src="http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/DavesData2/1999%20Audi%20A4%20Quattro/DSCN4493.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
<img src="http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/DavesData2/1999%20Audi%20A4%20Quattro/A4Trans.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
<img src="http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/DavesData2/1999%20Audi%20A4%20Quattro/DSCN4489.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
<img src="http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/DavesData2/1999%20Audi%20A4%20Quattro/DSCN4493.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
09-16-2008, 10:59 AM
#9
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
I don't know about you, but as I started to pull away, I couldn't help but say "please shift...
please shift" over and over. It was a good feeling getting into 5th gear for the first time.
I'll throw the party when I have about 500 miles racked up though
I'll throw the party when I have about 500 miles racked up though
