Replacing slushbox seals

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.pl>]

Hello List,

Several months ago I inquired about "stop leak" product that would stop the
leak from between the differential and the gearbox on my '87 5KT automatic.
Well, the "stop leaks" didn't do the trick, so I have no choice but remove &
reseal the transmission. I usually try to do all repairs on my car myself,
but this time I'm not sure if I have sufficient skills and tools to do this
job. Does anyone have any BTDTs? I do have a garage (without a lift or an
inspection pit, though) and fairly competent set of tools (I wouldn't mind
investing in some more tools if this could make the job easier - tools are
cheap over here). I have done various jobs on both my Audi and mom's Renault
as well as some other cars, including changing the head gasket. I've never
removed the transmission or engine, though. I'm specifically not sure about
two issues:

1. The transmission looks very heavy. I wonder how one is supposed to lower
it safely to the ground? Is a single trolley jack sufficient for this job?
Is it possible for a DIYer do do this safely at all?

2. I don't have any book describing the process of disconnecting the diff
housing from the gearbox. I know Bentley has detailed instructions on how to
rebuild automatic transmission, unfortunately, after adding the shipping
costs and taxes it would cost me nearly $200. Are there any other, cheaper
books that could be of any use? There's a bookstore here in Warsaw that can
order virtually any book from anywhere in the world for me if I know the
ISBN. I could paricularly appreciate any BTDTs. Once the transmission is
removed I would also like to replace the seals that are responsible for
mixing the ATF with the diff fluid, the driveshaft seals and the rear
crankshaft seal. I also have a small leak from the round cover (? it looks
like a cover) on the RH side of the slushbox. I wonder if this would be
difficult to fix that leak as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
The dealer or gerbox specialist will probably ask $$$$ and I'm afraid my
friendly "we fix all brands and models" mechanic may not be competent enough
to do this job. TIA.

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)