So I've searched around and can't quite find the answer I'm looking for.

So a while ago I had the clutch replaced with a Southbend kevlar combo. It was in the winter and my garage wasn't insulated so I paid a well-known independent shop in town to change the clutch and pp.

After I got the car back I noticed the shifts were not smooth like they were before, but at the time I was more focused on the changed friction point, how it grabbed quicker and getting used to all that... then I parked the car for a long time until I had time to do the timing belt and cam chain tensioner.

I've been driving the car for a while now with everything good, but I find myself mildy annoyed by the shifter. I thought maybe changing the bushings or bleeding the clutch would make a difference, but it still shifts like crap compared to before having the clutch change. Before it would glide between all gears, now it is impossible to shift smoothly between gears, like there's a built in lag for some reason. I've even picked up a cheap ebay short shifter, and while the shifts are marginally shorter, the shifts are still really slow and notchy.

Any ideas? I haven't changed a clutch on these cars so is there something I'm missing? Is there a linkage with a bushing closer to the tranny I need to look at? Or isthe centering the shifter really need to be that precise?

Thanks for any help...

 

It is my understanding that you can purchase 2 items that should make a big difference:
Linkage Upgrades - JH Motorsports Inc. - -- JHM. Shifting you to the next level of Audi

The stock variants are pretty soft from what I've heard.

Is your shifter well centered? I don't think it needs to be precisely centered, 'cuz the linkages don't care where the shifter is.

 

If i wasn't satisfied with the shops work i would bring it up with him.

 

Yeah, there's a couple reasons why I don't really want to cause 1. This was like 2 years ago when they had the car and 2. I asked him to put in the parts I bought (new southbend clutch) 3. He gave me a deal.

That's why I'm curious if there are people who have changed out their clutches themselves would have any insight... I just can't think of what could have changed it to go from buttery-smooth to notchy and crappy... lol. 'Cause it was good before you know what I mean?

 

I didn't use an angel finder, but did use a tape measure to get it as centered as possible. Maybe when they took stuff out, it revealed worn parts I'm not sure. Perhaps I'll look into the JHM linkage upgrades... can't really go wrong with their stuff either way.

 

i have the JHM trio package in my 2000 a4 1.8tqm and i would say that its 10 fold better than stock.... no slop at all and the shifts are so much shorter. i would say worth the price for a shifter up grade