Im Ready To SHOOT! Fricken shifter adjustment problem!

[A4 TSCHUSS]

When the piece in my transmission broke I initially thought that the shifter linkage went out of adjustment somehow so I started messing with the adjustment on the top and bottom bolt (top to move the assembly on the rails), bottom (to adjust the shifter to the linkage).

Well needless to say I put the transmission back in and tightened the linkage bolts back up inside the car and I cant get 5th or Reverse. It feels like I am trying to shift in to a brick wall!

I loosened the bottom bolt (to the linkage) and moved the shifter around and made sure it was in neutral then centered the shifter and tightened down, still no 5th or Reverse.

I have an ebay shifter if it makes a difference but I dont see why it would.

I watched the JHM adjustment video and did what it said (loosen bottom bolt move shifter around then center and tighen) but it wont work!

I am ready to throw a brick through the window or something! I remember when I put the shifter in it was a nightmare (took me like 3 hours) to get it to go in to reverse then as well. I didnt know about the move it around and put it centered then tighten bottom bolt deal though, but shit that aint working now either!

[absolutegtr]

I have an ebay shifter as well, and when I first installed it, i had this exact problem....you should have marked everthing before you ripped it apart.

Just keep trying what you are doing

[A4 TSCHUSS]

I actually did mark the spots on both bolts. That is what is killing me. I didnt have it set correctly before (it slanted a little to the passenger side) but it worked. I scratched a mark with a screwdriver before messing with it but no go putting it back to where it was. So now I have been trying the correct way like I described above but still no go. The transmission is fixed (doesn't pop out of gear) but now the shifter is screwed up. I swear it is like a never ending cycle with this thing.

[dougyfresh]

David.
Sounds like you are doing everything right.

Put it down for the evening. Go do something else. Come back tomorrow with a clear mind and you'll figure it out. You're too frustrated right now and are most likely not making clear decisions. Give it some time away and you'll be back in full force.

[Sammy7]

I went through the same thing when I replaced my shifter. Patience, breaks, and lots of alcohol should get you through.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

I took lots of breaks, think I have had patience and drank plenty (no alcohol though since I dont drink). It still ain't working!

[HTA A4]

Dude, that sucks.. I'm really sorry about that. But I know how you feel.. When I put my turbo in, I had a problem everyday. It'll end soon, don't worry just try to keep a positive attitude.

[absolutegtr]

I would remove the whole shifter out of the tunnel and try to manually shift the linkage into fifth and reverse. Just to ensure that it is indeed the shifter that is misaligned and not something inside the transmission, that you may have forgot to put back/screwed up (for lack of a better term)

If you can indeed put it in reverse or fifth, turn the car on and see if the car moves (reverse) or is about to stall (fifth). If everything seems ok here, then you know for a FACT that is just a misaligned shifter....and for me....that would relieve alot of "stress"

[A4 TSCHUSS]

I didnt mess with anything in the tranny, just took the broken bolt out and then replaced it.

[absolutegtr]

I didnt mess with anything in the tranny, just took the broken bolt out and then replaced it.

even so.....try the method I described above.

for all we know, it might benefit to remove and then replace the shifter

[A4 TSCHUSS]

not looking good, took the whole shifter assembly out and also got under the car and tried shifting from right at the tranny. It wont do 5th or reverse .

Gonna try and take the back half of the tranny off tomorrow with it in the car still and see if I notice something and hope and pray I dont have to take it out again which with my luck I can count on it.

[absolutegtr]

wow, thats the suckness

are you pulling the tranny by yourself?

[traf818]

not looking good, took the whole shifter assembly out and also got under the car and tried shifting from right at the tranny. It wont do 5th or reverse .

Gonna try and take the back half of the tranny off tomorrow with it in the car still and see if I notice something and hope and pray I dont have to take it out again which with my luck I can count on it.

Make sure it's the correct shifter. I know it sounds retarded, but it happens. Dont ask me how i know.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

Make sure it's the correct shifter. I know it sounds retarded, but it happens. Dont ask me how i know.

What do you mean correct shifter? If you are talking about the short shifter I have had it in my car for 3 years.

My transmission broke the other day (popping out of gear) so I thought I had a linkage issue so I started adjusting the shifter inside the car. That didnt work so I took the tranny out and found a broken part which I fixed and put tranny back in car and then didnt have 5th and reverse. Thought it was the shifter linkage again but just found out I cant shift it at the tranny either in to 5th or reverse so something else is wrong inside the transmission.

And yes I am doing it myself. I had a friend help me guide it back in to the car though but everything else was all by my lonesome.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

u have all the luck lol

[HTA A4]

What do you mean correct shifter? If you are talking about the short shifter I have had it in my car for 3 years.

My transmission broke the other day (popping out of gear) so I thought I had a linkage issue so I started adjusting the shifter inside the car. That didnt work so I took the tranny out and found a broken part which I fixed and put tranny back in car and then didnt have 5th and reverse. Thought it was the shifter linkage again but just found out I cant shift it at the tranny either in to 5th or reverse so something else is wrong inside the transmission.

And yes I am doing it myself. I had a friend help me guide it back in to the car though but everything else was all by my lonesome.

One of the reasons why doing everything yourself sucks sometimes. But I wish I knew everything you do..

[diagnosticator]

If you use a proper transmission jack, the R&R is a lot easier! You can rent if you don't want to buy one. I just figured it's worth mentioning, I don't know if you have a trans jack already or not.

[B6Lovin]

(no alcohol though since I dont drink).

that's your problem right there. i was having a BITCH of a time changing my fuel pump earlier... walked away, had a couple - and BAM got it out, swapped, and the car running in less than 20 mins

hopefully all that's wrong is something mis-aligned inside the tranny. i'd be worried something else may have broken along with that shaft though

[AudiA4_20T]

drinking is definitely one of the best things out there...

ask me how I know at this very moment

[absolutegtr]

bunch of drunks on this forum, I swear

I also, did the "put the transmission on your chest routine".....I too wish i rented a tranny jack.

Keep us updated

[dougyfresh]

If you use a proper transmission jack, the R&R is a lot easier! You can rent if you don't want to buy one. I just figured it's worth mentioning, I don't know if you have a trans jack already or not.

FTW! I've got one and I've got a lift. Makes clutch and transmission swaps a breeze. I've had too many transmissions fall on my hands from a regular floor jack. F' that. No more.

that's your problem right there. i was having a BITCH of a time changing my fuel pump earlier... walked away, had a couple - and BAM got it out, swapped, and the car running in less than 20 mins

That's funny. The fuel pump was so easy. Sounds like somebody had a case of the Mundays.










Sounds like that shift collar is mis-aligned in your trans, David.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

I dont know, I hope it is something stupid and I hope I can take the back half of the tranny off in the car and fix it in the car. I am going to the shop now.

Just a little confused if the 5th/reverse thing was engaged or something when I put the case back together after fixing that broken piece then why isnt it in that gear? It goes in neutral and then 1st-4th.

I did notice though that in my picture of the tranny apart (the 1st pic) where it is in neutral that shaft that goes side to side (the piece the broken part slides in to) was not up against the side of the case but it was centered inside the case. Well I took out that bolt that broke so I could look in the side of the tranny with it in the car and that shaft is up against the inside of the transmission case with it in neutral so then when I try to go to 5th/reverse which pushes that shaft to the direction it is already in, well it doesnt let it go over since it is already there! Think something there could be the problem because that shaft slides to the driver side for 1st/2nd gears, then stays centered for 3rd/4th then slides to the passenger side for 5th/reverse but it is already in the passenger side postion while in neutral.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

Well 99% sure I found the problem and you can chalk it up to a stupid/impatient mistake. I decided to take the tranny out again and take it apart (took me less than 1 1/2 hours), im getting good at this!

Anyway that bolt that broke I ordered from the dealer but it didnt come yesterday like it was supposed to so I called and they said it would be 2 more days since it didnt come in to them or something. Well I decided to bring the broken bolt to my friends welding shop and had him weld it back together thinking all was fine and dandy and then later on I would put the new one in when I finally got it since you can change it while the tranny is in the car.

Well where the weld is didnt allow the shaft that slides on the bolt side to side to go quite far enough to engage the shift fork for 5th/reverse. I grinded the weld down some and put the bolt back in place and it pretty much works now (still not quite enough weld gone) but im obviously gonna just put the new bolt in when it comes. So pretty much that was my problem. Im glad it wasnt something major and was something stupid even though it sucked taking the tranny back out and apart again and I still have to put it all back in!

[dirtybrd]

At least it's fixed!

[absolutegtr]

so are you leaving the exhaust in tact when you remove the tranny?

Also why not just wait until the new bolt comes in before you put the tranny back in for the 4th or 5th time, lol

[Maverick]

lol, I totally understand that feeling of throwing a brick to the window.

at least you took care of it.

[HTA A4]

^ Because he's anxious! I know how he feels. I had coolant leaks and still just wanted to get in and drive it! But I'm glad you found what was wrong (hopefully for the last time)!

[A4 TSCHUSS]

so are you leaving the exhaust in tact when you remove the tranny?

Also why not just wait until the new bolt comes in before you put the tranny back in for the 4th or 5th time, lol

I am waiting for the bolt and yes you remove the exhaust since it goes under the transmission brace.

[absolutegtr]

I am waiting for the bolt and yes you remove the exhaust since it goes under the transmission brace.

Well I know that, I have changed my clutch out......but rumor has it that you can remove the tranny with the exhuast in place.

I cant see how that is true (due to the crossbrace)....thats why I was asking

[AudiA4_20T]

Well I know that, I have changed my clutch out......but rumor has it that you can remove the tranny with the exhuast in place.

I cant see how that is true (due to the crossbrace)....thats why I was asking

I take my exhaust off, but you would just slide the mount back towards the rear of the car when u drop the trans

[Don Supreme]

I am waiting for the bolt and yes you remove the exhaust since it goes under the transmission brace.

Hurry up and snatch that record...