Replace dpf from top of engine

[Tinnycan]

Is it possible to remove the dpf from the top of car.
Its broke at the neck, so want to put a complete new one back in.
Or does the gearbox have to come out??
2008 A6 2.0 tdi facelift.
Looks like a few things have to be removed from engine, but if anyone has done it before would be of help.
Thanks

[dan2485]

If you can get on a lift this will a lot easier to remove from below.

the lower studs to the CAT could be tricky try to undo them from the engine bay.

If you put the car on to a set of low rise ramps you do it lying down but this could be awkward.

[Tinnycan]

I had a go at it today, i knew before hand that you cant remove it from the bottom unless you move the gearbox over.
It came out from the top with a bit of twisting. one problem but from underneath and that was the one nut just above the hanging clamp, but got at it with a 1/4 drive.
Went back in easy enough but a bit tricky getting the pipes back it. But got there in the end. About 3 hours work in total. 1 hour to put back in though.
Put the car on drive up ramps and done the rest from the top with the car on the ramps.

[Crasher]

You have to do this from above and below. We fitted a new premium range DPF by B&M to one of these and it kept saying it was blocked, we fitted another and the same, we asked for the old one back and had it repaired and cleaned by DPF clean team, all OK now. Their own chap told me they had received dozens of these back under warranty, never again!