Removing gearbox (vehicles with 1.6 ltr. TDI engine): Audi A3
Step-by-step removing gearbox (vehicles with 1.6 ltr. TDI engine) for the Audi A3: 68 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.
Workshop procedure for AUDI — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.
🧭 Before you start
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
- (Item 3) can be disregarded.
- 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.
- 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. — Remove bolts (2) for cable support bracket.
- (Items 1 ... 5) can be disregarded.
- Take up weight of engine with spindles; do not lift.
📋 Procedure
- Shift selector lever into position "“P”".
- Pull off cover (1) for air duct (release retaining clips (arrows) on the sides).
- Pull off bottom section of air duct (release retaining clips (arrows)).
- Detach bottom section of air duct with air hose.
- Unplug electrical connector (1) from air mass meter G70.
- Remove air hose (2).
- Remove bolt (4) and remove air cleaner housing. [Note: (Item 3) can be disregarded.]
- ⚠ 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.
- Remove bolts (arrows) and detach battery tray.
- Pry selector lever cable (2) off gearbox selector lever using removal lever80 - 200.
- Pull off securing clip (1) for selector lever cable.
- ⚠ 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. — Remove bolts (2) for cable support bracket.
- Press release tabs and disconnect crankcase breather hose (1) from cylinder head cover.
- Move clear vacuum hoses (arrows) at air pipe.
- Release hose clip (2) and detach air pipe.
- Remove noise insulation (1)50.
- Remove noise insulation frame (arrow)General body repairs, exterior50.
- Remove bolts (arrows).
- Move clear coolant hose at air pipe (left-side). [Note: (Items 1 ... 5) can be disregarded.]
- ⚠ 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.
- Unplug electrical connector (1) for mechatronic unit for dual clutch gearbox J743.
- Unplug electrical connector (2).
- Push back terminal cover (4) and disconnect "“B+ wire”" from starter solenoid.
- Remove nut (3) for earth wire.
- Remove bolts (3, 4, 5) securing gearbox to engine.
- Lever clip off sealing element using removal lever80 - 200 and fold up sealing element.
- Set up support bracket10 - 222 A on body flanges, as shown in illustration.
- Hook spindles of support bracket onto engine lifting eyes.
- Take up weight of engine with spindles; do not lift.
- ⚠ 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.
- Remove both front wheels.
- Remove front section of front wheel housing liner on both sides 66.
- Remove all retainers from mechatronic unit for dual clutch gearbox J743.
- Move electrical wiring harness clear on gearbox.
- Unplug electrical connector (1) at oil level and oil temperature sender G266.
- Unclip bracket (2) for electrical wiring leading to oil level and oil temperature sender G266 at subframe.
- Remove bolts (arrows) and pull bracket for exhaust system off pins on front exhaust pipe.
- Unbolt drive shafts (left and right) from gearbox flange shafts Running gear, front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive40.
- Remove nuts (arrows) securing swivel joint (left and right).
- If fitted, unscrew nut on bracket for front left vehicle level sender G78.
- Disengage swivel joints from wishbones.
- Use assembly lever to press drive shafts (left and right) off gearbox.
- Swivel suspension strut (left and right) outwards and support with extension 2024 A /1, as shown in illustration.
- ⚠ 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) .
- Remove bolts (1, 2, 3) and detach pendulum support.
- Remove bolts (arrows) for assembly mounting on gearbox.
- Lower engine/gearbox assembly using spindle of support bracket10 - 222 A until distance (a) is obtained between gearbox housing and gearbox mounting.
- Remove bolts (arrows) and detach gearbox support.
- If fitted, remove bolts (arrows) and detach heat shield (1).
- Drill two 7 mm diameter holes in support T10036, as illustrated.
- Bolt support T10036 onto subframe with two M6x20 mm bolts (arrows).
- Bolt engine support3300 A to support T10036.
- Press engine 10 to 15 mm towards front of vehicle using spindle of engine support.
- Set up gearbox support3282 on engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A.
- Align arms of gearbox support according to holes in adjustment plate3282/59.
- Secure support elements as illustrated on adjustment plate3282/59.
- 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.
- Align gearbox support3282 parallel with gearbox.
- Screw pin3282/29 into gearbox.
- Insert last support element in gearbox as illustrated.
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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.