Volkswagen Repair: 1990 Jetta Sedan; 4cyl, Gas; Standard Transmission, through bolt, subframe assembly

Question
Rocky, do you need to pull the motor to pull a standard transmission in a 1990 Jetta?  My Nephew baught his first car and it has a bad 2nd gear.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Robert;
Not necessarily.  You will need a "motor holder," or "engine hanger."  It is a bar that is used to hold the engine, and/or transmission for timing belt, and water pump jobs, since motor mounts have to be removed.  Be especially careful when removing the starter motor.  It has a through bolt, with a nut on the other side.  Make sure you note this one carefully.  It is unique to the "A2" platform cars.  (Mk II, or A2...depending on where you are from, or where you learned about Volkswagens.  We have a couple of guys in the shop where I work that since we have hoists to use, just remove the whole subframe assembly....engine, transmission, and all.  It seems to work for them, but I still use the transmission jack, and the motor holder.  Good luck.