That sucks dude. Junkyard swaps are always a bit of a gamble, but you could buy 3 before you come close to the price of a rebuilt! Maybe now is your chance to go for a 6-spd swap...?

 

No I didn't add anymore after I replaced the circlip. I filled it up with new oil, 2.9 qt. and that's it. Was no difference in how it shifts. When axle is loose the oil just barely drips on the exhaust only while the car is moving and now I don't let the axle come out too far enough for it to gush out, also I barely been driving this car now.

Don't think I will get a 6spd. Just going to get rid of this car at a loss and eventually get back into a used bmw. My b5 was fun, but breaks way too much and the second transmission is just out of control.

Thanks for trying to help.

 

I would scrap that trans, it sounds like a piece. You could also put in a 2.8L trans if you can't find a 1.8T one available. Have you asked www.shokan.com if they have any laying around?

 

Not sure of the differences in a 98, but the 96 axles are about one inch different in length.
They WILL fit on the wrong side and the short axle (boots) WILL pull the flange out of the trans far enough to disengage the splines over time. If your axles are the same length, there's your problem (they're short). If the long one is on the *other* side, there's your problem.

If it's winter and you don't notice, you WILL get gear whine and trans damage increasing shifter effort. Watch your mileage drop by 15%+ too.


Five seconds to compare axle shaft length doesn't mean your mechanic will.
Sonofa.

 

^^^damn straight on what he said regarding axle lengths. My question is did you get genuine Audi axles, or OEM-spec replacements from another supplier? We found a year and a half ago that Empi axles were manufactured too short. If you had a set of those, it's possible that a weak circlip and an axle too short for proper fitment may be pulling ghe cup out.