Removing gearbox (vehicles with 1.2 ltr. TFSI engine): Audi A3

🧭 Before you start

Put the selector in P and remove air ducting, air cleaner, battery and tray. Detach the selector cable, starter and upper bolts, and hang the engine on 10-222 A. Below, remove wheels, liners and front exhaust, drain coolant, unplug the mechatronic unit and G266, unbolt the drive shafts and swing out the struts. Remove the right flange shaft, pendulum support and gearbox mounting, lower to distance (a), fit gearbox support 3282 with plate 3282/59 and strap T10038, remove the remaining bolts and lower the gearbox while guiding the selector cable out.

Fits: Audi A3 (8P, 2003–2012)

• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Special tools named: locking pin

Don't miss

• Discharge static before unplugging J743; never touch the gearbox connector contacts.
• Do not bend or kink the selector lever cable; guide it out of its bracket while lowering.
• Secure the strut support locking pin with clip and nut.
• Observe the correct battery disconnection procedure to protect the electronics.
• Adjust gearbox position with the support spindles as it comes down.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

1. Shift selector lever into position "“P”".
2. Pull off cover (1) for air duct (release retaining clips (arrows) on the sides).
3. Pull off bottom section of air duct (release retaining clips (arrows)).
4. Detach bottom section of air duct with air hose.
5. Detach air hose (1) from turbocharger (release hose clip).

6. Detach vacuum hose (2).
7. Remove bolt (3) and remove air cleaner housing.
8. ⚠ When disconnecting the battery there is a risk of serious damage to electronic components:Observe the correct procedure for disconnecting the battery. — Remove battery Electrical system27.
9. Remove bolts (arrows) and detach battery tray.
10. Pry selector lever cable (2) off gearbox selector lever using removal lever80 - 200.
11. Pull off securing clip (1) for selector lever cable.
12. ⚠ Risk of damage to selector lever cable.Guide selector lever cable out of cable support bracket when lowering gearbox.Do not bend or kink the selector lever cable. — Unplug electrical connector (2).
13. Push back dust boot (1) and disconnect "“B+ wire”" from starter solenoid.
14. Remove nut (3) for earth wire.
15. Remove bolts (1) and (2) and detach starter from gearbox.
16. Remove bolts (3, 4, 5) securing gearbox to engine.
17. Lever clip off sealing element using removal lever80 - 200 and fold up sealing element.
18. Set up support bracket10 - 222 A on body flanges, as shown in illustration.
19. Hook spindle of support bracket into engine lifting eye (left-side).
20. Take up weight of engine with spindle; do not lift.
21. ⚠ Risk of scalding from hot steam and hot coolant.The cooling system is under pressure when the engine is hot.Cover filler cap on expansion tank with a cloth and open carefully to release pressure. — Open filler cap on expansion tank.
22. Remove both front wheels.
23. Remove front section of front wheel housing liner on both sides General body repairs, exterior66.
24. Remove front exhaust pipe Engine, mechanics26.
25. Unplug electrical connector (1) on radiator outlet coolant temperature sender G83.
26. Place drip tray for workshop hoistVAS 6208 under the engine.
27. Lift retaining clip (3) and detach coolant hose (bottom) from radiator. [Note: (Item 2) can be disregarded.]
28. ⚠ Risk of irreparable damage to gearbox components.Never touch the contacts in the gearbox connector with your hands. Static discharge can seriously damage the control unit and mechatronic unit. — Touch a suitable earthed object with your hand (without gloves) to discharge any static electricity.
29. Unplug electrical connector (1) for mechatronic unit for dual clutch gearbox J743.
30. Take electrical connectors (2) and (3) out of bracket and unplug.
31. Remove all retainers from mechatronic unit for dual clutch gearbox J743.
32. Move electrical wiring harness clear on gearbox.
33. Unplug electrical connector (1) at oil level and oil temperature sender G266.
34. Unclip bracket (2) for electrical wiring leading to oil level and oil temperature sender G266 at subframe.
35. Unbolt drive shafts (left and right) from gearbox flange shafts Running gear, front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive40.
36. Remove nuts (arrows) securing swivel joint (left and right).
37. If fitted, unscrew nut on bracket for front left vehicle level sender G78.
38. Disengage swivel joints from wishbones.
39. Remove bolts (arrows) and detach cover plate (1).
40. Swivel suspension strut (left and right) outwards and support with extension 2024 A /1, as shown in illustration.
41. ⚠ Risk of accident if parts of support are not properly secured.Secure locking pin and swivel joint with retaining clip (arrow) and nut (1). — Remove flange shaft (right-side) .
42. Remove bolts (1, 2, 3) and detach pendulum support.
43. Remove bolts (arrows) for assembly mounting on gearbox.
44. Lower engine/gearbox assembly using spindle of support bracket10 - 222 A until distance (a) is obtained between gearbox housing and gearbox mounting.
45. Remove bolts (arrows) and detach gearbox support.
46. Set up gearbox support3282 on engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A.
47. Align arms of gearbox support according to holes in adjustment plate3282/59.
48. Secure support elements as illustrated on adjustment plate3282/59.
49. Place engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A underneath vehicle. The (arrow symbol) on the adjustment plate3282/42 points in the direction of travel.
50. Align gearbox support3282 parallel with gearbox.
51. Screw pin3282/29 into gearbox.
52. Insert last support element in gearbox as illustrated.
53. Use tensioning strap T10038 to secure gearbox.
54. Support gearbox by lifting from underneath with engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A.
55. Remove remaining bolts (1, 2, 6, 7, 8) securing gearbox to engine.
56. Press gearbox off dowel sleeves.
57. Pull gearbox off engine.
58. Carefully lower gearbox using engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A (press engine slightly forwards when doing so).
59. Guide selector lever cable out of cable support bracket while lowering gearbox. [Note: Do not bend or kink the selector lever cable.]
60. While lowering gearbox, adjust position of gearbox using spindles on gearbox support3282.

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