After 330,000 miles, the 02J transmission in my 2002 VW Golf has finally gotten to the point that the car is no longer driveable. After debating for over a year whether I should replace it or not, I actually decided to rebuild it.
Why? Because purchasing a used transmission was not economically wise. Most used transmissions were priced from $400 - $1000 with no guarantee on the condition. A certified used transmission where the vehicle mileage was known and the functionality could be guaranteed cost several hundred dollars more. I just didn't want to invest that in a car that is only worth about $1700.
So I decided to price a rebuild and tackle the project as a learning experience. Rebuilding mostly involves just changing some bearings. The gears and selectors are usually fine. For about $300, I could purchase all the new bearings and seals I needed and work on the rebuild process on my own timeline.
While I had the transmission apart, I made a short video showing how the transmission shifts from gear to gear. Check it out here.