Shifter Rebuild Kit Question
Shifter Rebuild Kit Question
Posted in the General A4 forum...oops!
So I've got some slack in my shifter and also some gears are tough to get into, like 2nd from first. I was reading around in the forums and some people say there is a rebuild kit for our shifters, so I did some googling and found one from ECStuning.com.
Home Page ES#2586580 Shifter Rebuild Kit - 443711213KT
Does anyone have a DIY for this and is this something I can do from within the car? Will this solve my problem or at least be a good starting point?
1998 A4 1.8T Quattro AEB
Just recently had the clutch and flywheel replaced, but was having this problem prior to that.
So I've got some slack in my shifter and also some gears are tough to get into, like 2nd from first. I was reading around in the forums and some people say there is a rebuild kit for our shifters, so I did some googling and found one from ECStuning.com.
Home Page ES#2586580 Shifter Rebuild Kit - 443711213KT
Does anyone have a DIY for this and is this something I can do from within the car? Will this solve my problem or at least be a good starting point?
1998 A4 1.8T Quattro AEB
Just recently had the clutch and flywheel replaced, but was having this problem prior to that.
Posted in the General A4 forum...oops!
So I've got some slack in my shifter and also some gears are tough to get into, like 2nd from first. I was reading around in the forums and some people say there is a rebuild kit for our shifters, so I did some googling and found one from ECStuning.com.
Home Page ES#2586580 Shifter Rebuild Kit - 443711213KT
Does anyone have a DIY for this and is this something I can do from within the car? Will this solve my problem or at least be a good starting point?
1998 A4 1.8T Quattro AEB
Just recently had the clutch and flywheel replaced, but was having this problem prior to that.
So I've got some slack in my shifter and also some gears are tough to get into, like 2nd from first. I was reading around in the forums and some people say there is a rebuild kit for our shifters, so I did some googling and found one from ECStuning.com.
Home Page ES#2586580 Shifter Rebuild Kit - 443711213KT
Does anyone have a DIY for this and is this something I can do from within the car? Will this solve my problem or at least be a good starting point?
1998 A4 1.8T Quattro AEB
Just recently had the clutch and flywheel replaced, but was having this problem prior to that.
Yeah I was looking at the short shifter they make. Basically some of my gears feel notchy when I am shifting. It doesn't always happen, but occasionally it does, and it makes for a long irritating shift.
Does anyone know if this issue could be solved by low tranny fluid or maybe fluid that is past its so-called "lifetime".
Any suggestions would be great. If this is a bigger issue than I think it is, I would like to get going ASAP on it.
Thanks ahead!
Does anyone know if this issue could be solved by low tranny fluid or maybe fluid that is past its so-called "lifetime".
Any suggestions would be great. If this is a bigger issue than I think it is, I would like to get going ASAP on it.
Thanks ahead!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 843
From: Kirkland, WA
I would recommend changing the transmission oil. Although Audi claim that it is a "Lifetime" fluid. It should be changed. Transmission takes ~3 quarts and rear diff takes a little less than 2 IIRC. For the transmission, I use Redline MTL and it really improved shifting feel. There is a special drain plug tool you will need for the transmission. You can get it and the oil from FCP. In the rear diff, any synthetic 75w90 gear oil will do. No special drain plug; just a 10mm allen.
The shifter kit you referenced can improve some of the sloppiness you may feel in the shift linkage. Be careful as there have been changes to the shifter design through the years. The JHM kit is nice, but rather expensive.
The shifter kit you referenced can improve some of the sloppiness you may feel in the shift linkage. Be careful as there have been changes to the shifter design through the years. The JHM kit is nice, but rather expensive.
I would recommend changing the transmission oil. Although Audi claim that it is a "Lifetime" fluid. It should be changed. Transmission takes ~3 quarts and rear diff takes a little less than 2 IIRC. For the transmission, I use Redline MTL and it really improved shifting feel. There is a special drain plug tool you will need for the transmission. You can get it and the oil from FCP. In the rear diff, any synthetic 75w90 gear oil will do. No special drain plug; just a 10mm allen.
The shifter kit you referenced can improve some of the sloppiness you may feel in the shift linkage. Be careful as there have been changes to the shifter design through the years. The JHM kit is nice, but rather expensive.
The shifter kit you referenced can improve some of the sloppiness you may feel in the shift linkage. Be careful as there have been changes to the shifter design through the years. The JHM kit is nice, but rather expensive.
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/diy...sandman-18729/
I'm not too worried about the slop, but rather the notchiness I am feeling every so often. I'm rather easy on my car and it has 165,000 miles on it.
I'm thinking they say "lifetime" because most people will not own the car for more than 5-10 years, so it should last that long. That's the bad part of getting a used car, never truly know the maintenance records or how good or bad the owner was to the car.
I appreciate the help. I will go ahead and change it out this weekend. I will see if a local shop has the tool for sale. Would rather not pay the shipping.
I have never done differential draining and filling before. Is it difficult?
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 712
From: Toronto, Canada
I got mine from ebay, it's a bit small though so I wouldn't trust it if your bolt is stuck.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 843
From: Kirkland, WA
I got the tool from FCP. I think it was $12 and got free shipping. You may find the MT90 to get pretty stiff in colder climates. This is why I went with the MTL.
When draining, open the fill plug first so that you can be sure that you can refill once you are done. The fill plug is on the driver's side of the transmission, just above the front CV joint (17mm allen). To make filling easier, I bought a couple of feet of 3/4" clear vinyl hose at the hardware store and stuffed it in the fill hole. I ran the other end up into the engine bay with a funnel.
I found the filling of the rear diff to be more difficult and would recommend one of the cheap pumps to do it.
When draining, open the fill plug first so that you can be sure that you can refill once you are done. The fill plug is on the driver's side of the transmission, just above the front CV joint (17mm allen). To make filling easier, I bought a couple of feet of 3/4" clear vinyl hose at the hardware store and stuffed it in the fill hole. I ran the other end up into the engine bay with a funnel.
I found the filling of the rear diff to be more difficult and would recommend one of the cheap pumps to do it.
I got the tool from FCP. I think it was $12 and got free shipping. You may find the MT90 to get pretty stiff in colder climates. This is why I went with the MTL.
When draining, open the fill plug first so that you can be sure that you can refill once you are done. The fill plug is on the driver's side of the transmission, just above the front CV joint (17mm allen). To make filling easier, I bought a couple of feet of 3/4" clear vinyl hose at the hardware store and stuffed it in the fill hole. I ran the other end up into the engine bay with a funnel.
I found the filling of the rear diff to be more difficult and would recommend one of the cheap pumps to do it.
When draining, open the fill plug first so that you can be sure that you can refill once you are done. The fill plug is on the driver's side of the transmission, just above the front CV joint (17mm allen). To make filling easier, I bought a couple of feet of 3/4" clear vinyl hose at the hardware store and stuffed it in the fill hole. I ran the other end up into the engine bay with a funnel.
I found the filling of the rear diff to be more difficult and would recommend one of the cheap pumps to do it.
Well a little update on this. I changed the transmission fluid and there has been no change at all in fixing the "notchiness" and rough shifting I am getting. Just out of curiosity I took apart the shifter housing and found this little beauty was completely blown out. Part #45. It is called the Ball Housing and it is the Metal piece holding this piece down (Audi B5 A4 Quattro 1.8T Drivetrain Shifter ES#2522919 Pivot Ball Joint - 893711118E)
Inside of this Ball Housing there is a rubber insert/grommet that the ball joint snaps into and it is completely separated. I'm kind of guessing this could be my issue. I found it for $105 from genuineaudiparts.com, but I was wondering if anybody has a parts car they would be willing to ship me this part. I will e-mail a call tag and send money via pay-pal if necessary.
Here is the parts break-down. Again, #45.
Audi A4/S4/Avant quattro 1998
Inside of this Ball Housing there is a rubber insert/grommet that the ball joint snaps into and it is completely separated. I'm kind of guessing this could be my issue. I found it for $105 from genuineaudiparts.com, but I was wondering if anybody has a parts car they would be willing to ship me this part. I will e-mail a call tag and send money via pay-pal if necessary.
Here is the parts break-down. Again, #45.
Audi A4/S4/Avant quattro 1998