Vr6 gearbox removal/ timing chain epic...

[Din]

Right, first technical post...

I got my golf this week, im quite enjoying it, took it for a run to chippenam and back today and gave it a good few hard throttles  its almost as quick as my old car and twice as smooth...although 22.9 mpg 

Now, seeing as its got a few miles on it (135000) and having read a bit about timing chain failure, i feel i should get mine done really.

So i have got a full timing chain kit here and a new clutch kit for good measure, my question is, how much of a job is it to remove the gearbox, dont get me wrong, i am a mechanic and have had many boxes out, but not on a golf vr6, i bought a load of spline sockets for the drive shafts and such but im just wondering if there are any really awkward bits ?

Any little tips welcomed for when i get around to doing it 

[Wayne]

To be honest the quickest way is to remove engine and gear box then split on the floor gives you so much more room.

[Din]

  wwhhhaaatt.......... i aint taking the bloody engine out as well, cant you just do the norm and remove the battery and tray plus any other awkward bits up top, dissconnect the gear selector cables etc, romove the wheels, drive shafts etc then unbolt the bellhousing bolts and simply drop the box on the floor

I dont have an engine crane at home, just a trolly jack 

[AudiA8Quattro]

It can be done with the engine in situ, but there isn't very much room.
It would be a lot easier to support the engine, and move it over to give yourself more room.

[Din]

It can be done with the engine in situ, but there isn't very much room.
It would be a lot easier to support the engine, and move it over to give yourself more room.

What about subframe wise ? do that have to be removed or is there enough clearence to drop the box out underneath ?

[Wayne]

It can be done with the engine in situ, but there isn't very much room.
It would be a lot easier to support the engine, and move it over to give yourself more room.

What about subframe wise ? do that have to be removed or is there enough clearence to drop the box out underneath ?

I worked in a Vw specialists for 4 1/2 yrs, we struggled to get the gearbox out with the use of a ramp, the subframe will need to removed as well, you going to struggle doing it on axle stands etc as you will not get the front of the car high enough.

[AudiA8Quattro]

You do not need to remove the subframe. I did the job with a mate years back with just axle stands, it will come out, but be warned its very hard to get the box back in.
Go with my original suggestion.

[Rmachines]

Now.. correct me if i am wrong but dont they usualy take the engine out of the VR6 to do the timing chain?  I know its possible to leave it in but if its that much easier to do the timing chain with the engine out.. and easier to take the box off with it out... then just take it out.  its not much worse than the box tbh 

[Wayne]

Now.. correct me if i am wrong but dont they usualy take the engine out of the VR6 to do the timing chain?  I know its possible to leave it in but if its that much easier to do the timing chain with the engine out.. and easier to take the box off with it out... then just take it out.  its not much worse than the box tbh 

Correct you don't need to but it is a lot easier to do with the engine out of the car.

[beccasmk3gti]

think vw dub take everything out thats why its so dear £1200 to replace chain