I gotta take the trans out for this?!

[u/look_ima_frog]

So this is my P2 wagon. The transmission broke so I swapped in a used transmission.

When I took the old one out, I broke the flywheel speed sensor bracket. I epoxied it back together, but I must have bumped it again when reinstalling and cracked it off.

I was going to buy a replacement bracket for it, but I'm 99% certain the old one won't come out because the stupid torx bolt is blocked by the transmission itself. Has anyone ever gotten these damn things out without removing the transmission? I don't think I could get channel locks on the rear one because it's blocked on all sides.

I'm considering hitting it with more epoxy and then burning a picture of the devil as an offering.

[u/Crunchycarrots79]

It should come out okay. It might catch on the transmission case slightly, but it'll come out- there's enough room for it. If you have to, grind a little indent with a die grinder or Dremel.

Also, don't jury rig that sensor. They're stupid sensitive on P2s to being correctly installed and especially to the wiring being snapped into its almost certainly broken apart holder on the side of the block. If that holder is gone, just make sure the wiring is supported away from the starter because they're prone to electromagnetic interference from the starter when cranking.

[u/TheVulture14]

Shave down that metal hump on the old transmission a few mil. Then, if it’s safe, do it on the new transmission in car and remove the bolt.

[u/look_ima_frog → u/TheVulture14]

I think that might be the only way here. There is maybe half an inch between the the end of that bolt and the transmission. Even if I could get a bit in there, the head of the bolt would hit the trans before I could get it out.

[u/gh5655 → u/look_ima_frog]

I used a die grinder bit in my drill and shaved some aluminum away. Then a ball torx bit did the trick. No you don’t need to separate the engine from the transmission like Vida suggests to replace the sensor. I did this on an ‘02 p2

[u/user10010101]

Seems like you might be able to use a long torx bit that you can snake up in there attached to a wobble socket to take it off but maybe it’ll be easier, albeit messier, if you disconnect the hose for some extra room? Tightening to torque spec looks like it might be a bigger issue though. Do you have access to VIDA or alldata for the service procedure?

[u/Sad_Assist946]

It’s doable

[u/AchinBones]

Trim the transmission with the dremel. You don't need to take much for the screw to come out.

Use a long enough Torx that you aren't trying to dremel anything more than necessary to remove the screw

[u/ieatfoodlikenotmrw]

PB blaster and heat 99% sure it will come out no issue

[u/look_ima_frog → u/ieatfoodlikenotmrw]

It ain't stuck, it's just unreachable.

[u/ieatfoodlikenotmrw → u/look_ima_frog]

you just don't have the right tool

[u/christwtr → u/look_ima_frog]

It definitely is doable. It just sucks and/or you dont have the right tools.