Transmission Issue, Don't get excited, its the A140E Options

[Spider77]

Real quick...Figure i'd get some second opinions here. Noticed a strange clunk noise coming from my driver side when I accelerate (not only from stop, but while cruising). I thought I narrowed it down to a bad inner CV joint, but upon inspection the boot was fine, and when pressing in it while rotating the shaft I didn't feel anything "abnormal". What I did notice was a fair bit of play from where the shaft mates to the differential. Up, down, in and out..there was a lot of slop. I decided to check the diff fluid and about an ounce came out, needless to say I have a real slow leak somewhere...on to the subject. Replace the diff or the whole trans?
I realize it would be a good time to swap to a manual, but I'm missing a few parts and really don't have the time to do that now.
Thanks!

[Smaay]

the diff is in the trans so its not leaking. if you are planning on swapping, i would just add fluid until time to swap. dont waste money on a replacement

[Spider77]

While the diff is housed as part of the overall trans, there is a cover plate and seals. I did add fluid and it seemed to reduce the issue though. I just kind of wonder where the hell my fluid went to.

[Spider77]

Well that was fun. I managed to get a a140e transmission from a local source for a great price. I pulled the old (in this case the one I swapped out) differential out and slapped the picked up one in. First thing I did notice was the excessive backlash the old one had. I suppose it could of been shimmed or something, but thats way too much work for me. The "new" one fell into specs as far as backlash. And now I have gotten rid of my dreaded clunk noise.
All in all, pretty painful process. Had to drop subframe and raise the power steering rack up to access what I had to get to. I think removing the rack would of been more work, but would of allowed more space. Oh well, next time, right?

[SwissFerdi]

I think routing the rack through the spaghetti of everything that's back there is worth less than the extra space. I did the same as you, dropped the subframe slightly.

[Spider77]

I completly removed the subframe...it looks like removing the rack is pretty easy with no subframe...I just didn't feel like messing with it cause my steering was locked. The only thing that sucked was the balance of the subframe, but once I got that first bolt in hand tight it was cake.