Well, we had to walk away from this machine to get some work done and back to it. We uncoupled the belt from spindle to make sure noise was from the trans. YEP. No need to run it, you can feel excessive back lash in the gears for some reason. I don;t think anything is blown up yet but don;t want to wait. We also do not want to throw several thousand ath new gear just yet.

We have the motor/trans assy on the bench and wondering how it comes apart?? Near as we can tell, the bottom drive pulley has to be pulled from the shaft, then remove the bottom access plate and go from there. Do I have this wrong? I have a puller on that pulley right now and it is going to take some serious force to get it off.

It just looks as though you cannot pull the motor up because there is a mount bolt that comes from inside the trans. Thanks for any help or diagrams you may be able to offer.

Viper,
My own experiences with HFO (Haas Factory Outlet) is to change the motor/gearbox as a complete unit. I say this, only because it is a balanced unit set at the factory. If you change one and not the other, you'll probably be doing this job again in about 6 months. I had a VF-10 go down three years ago. I changed the motor/gearbox assy,and it still runs like a new unit today. Cost' @ $7000.00 with $3500.00 credit for core charge.
Again, this only my opinion. Good luck. JoB

do not pull the lower pulley remove the motor it comes straight up just be careful when you lift the motor you do not want to damage the motor gear once you have the motor off the top plate comes off and the whole thing will make sense from there.