Grinding going into 1st

[jukesandz]

First off, hello. I'm a newb to this forum, but not to forums in general. I just bought my B5 S4 late July.

It doesn't grind all the time. For it not to grind, I have to be <7ish mph, and I have to hold the shifter in place to go into 1st, but not put it into 1st. If I put it into 1st fast, it grinds. I might make a video to show what the hell I'm trying to say.

I brought it to the dealership, they said the tranny fluid was slightly low, but not enough to cause problems. They topped it off, and it was fine for about a day. They said no leaks or anything.

What would cause this? Synchros? I know it's not normal. I've been driving stick for quite a while. Thanks in advance.

-Joe

[Kamin]

Are you saying that you are downshifting into first gear and using it to slow down?

[spinny]

You shouldn't be shifting into 1st unless you are dead stopped, or pretty damn close to it.

At 10mph just use 2nd.

[So_NAudi]

just avoid 1st unless stopped. if starts grinding goin into first when stopped, then you have 1-2 shift collar problems like meeee

[blowjustinup]

You shouldn't be shifting into 1st unless you are dead stopped, or pretty damn close to it.

At 10mph just use 2nd.

X2.

Use 1st gear when you're at a dead stop or under 5mph.. Maybe even lower than that. I know quite a few people that never use first gear except to launch, or when stopped on a hill. They just start in second.

[jukesandz]

Hell no I'm not using 1st to slow down! LOL Like I said, I've been driving stick for a while. It's not a driving problem. My Passat shifted into first no problemo.

Like I have to be going ridiculously slow to shift into 1st. Sometimes it does happen when I'm stopped. I can't just put it in first, I have to hold it there for a while before pushing it in. It happens when I'm in a parking lot going 3-5 mph. There's definitely a problem.

1-2 shift collar problems? If that is the problem, is it a easy fix?

Thanks for the responses.

[Kamin]

I think the trans is made to function like that for a reason. The reason being that they don't want you to destroy the box attempting to use 1st to slow down. I know you said you weren't, but that is why it is difficult. Although, I guess it is possible that there is a problem if it is that difficult at such low speeds + possible grinding.

[SLC_S4]

Hell no I'm not using 1st to slow down! LOL Like I said, I've been driving stick for a while. It's not a driving problem. My Passat shifted into first no problemo.

Like I have to be going ridiculously slow to shift into 1st. Sometimes it does happen when I'm stopped. I can't just put it in first, I have to hold it there for a while before pushing it in. It happens when I'm in a parking lot going 3-5 mph. There's definitely a problem.

1-2 shift collar problems? If that is the problem, is it a easy fix?

Thanks for the responses.

1-2 syncro is definitely not an easy fix. You're looking at a rebuild if that's your problem.

[spinny]

Mine doesn't want to go into 1st sometimes either (at a dead stop).

What I usually do is put it in neutral, let up on the clutch and then try again, if that doesn't work just go into 2nd real quick then back into 1st. One of those two always works for me.

[b5s4tt]

ditto. go to second first to slow the tranny down, then go back to first.

[jukesandz]

So go 2nd-neutral-2nd-1st??

I want to fix the situation. I can drive it, but I don't want to deal with it. If it won't go in, I'll put it back in neutral and it will go in fine. I think I'm gonna make a video to show you guys. It's probably the best representation. It does it from a dead stop too. I hope this isn't the way the S4 is supposed to be. I never had any problems like this with my B5 Passat. That thing went in and out of first no problems at all.

[Nogaro_PhiDelt]

I just had my tranny go out. had 1-2 gears + synchro replaced, plus a new clutch...was not cheap...lets just say it was 20 hours of labor..

[jukesandz]

Whaaaaa? How much, if you don't mind me asking?

I only have 47,000 miles too, so I don't plan on changing the clutch soon.

[Nogaro_PhiDelt]

almost 5k...it was about $1500 for all the tranny parts, $700ish for all the clutch stuff, and then $95 an hour for labor..

if the car wasn't completely paid off, I probably would have contemplated selling it..

my car was being so good to me on maintenance too =(

[1997gtx]

Sounds more like a linkage problem to me.
--Adam

[spinny]

Pop the shifter surround up and check the linkage.

[jukesandz]

My warranty expired a couple weeks ago.

Does it need to get fixed? What exactly is the problem? Honestly, I don't know much about tranny's and synchros and crap.

I'm about to go out and check on the linkage, but what exactly am I looking for?

Adam - I just noticed you're from New Cannan. Any good local shops? I'm from Darien, but I'm currently at school in RI.

[fourings06]

sorry to kinda steal this thread, but i couldn't find much on my issue and this seemed close enough that someone may be able to help me.

my buddy took did my clutch and fw for me, and somehow we lost the tiny spacer in the linkage... it is replaced with a linkage kit but I don't want to buy that at the moment. Anyone know what the part is and where to get it. Apparently they wear down and are easily lost, so I know someone has run into this

[1997gtx]

^ I have no idea ... but PM JHM ... he'll be able to help you, i'm sure.
--Adam

[1997gtx]

Adam - I just noticed you're from New Cannan. Any good local shops? I'm from Darien, but I'm currently at school in RI.

Sorry -- didn't see this before ... if you still need a good shop, PM me.
--Adam

[Muck_and_Grind]

may the linkage or the bushing; that is what my problem was. Jason at JHM thought that it just had a large amount of slop until he shook it and the linkage feel apart.

[gaspeedracer]

I hate to be the second person to kind of steal this thread but I have a problem shifting too. The teeth grind when shifting into second whenever I drive at WOT or close to it. Whenever running at WOT I now find myself taking a second between shifts to kind of align my shift knob before going into second to prevent the grinding. I also notice the grinding if I downshift to second at a little below 4k rpm. But that's rare. I'm suspecting the 1-2 syncro but could it be something else?

[2ndEngineS4]

I hate to be the second person to kind of steal this thread but I have a problem shifting too. The teeth grind when shifting into second whenever I drive at WOT or close to it. Whenever running at WOT I now find myself taking a second between shifts to kind of align my shift knob before going into second to prevent the grinding. I also notice the grinding if I downshift to second at a little below 4k rpm. But that's rare. I'm suspecting the 1-2 syncro but could it be something else?

Nein. Time for a rebuild. Classic symptoms. JHM rebuild kit plus video. You can continue to drive it like that with no real consequence except you might eventually seize the 1-2 shift collar and lose 1st & 2nd gear completely.

[gaspeedracer]

Nein. Time for a rebuild. Classic symptoms. JHM rebuild kit plus video. You can continue to drive it like that with no real consequence except you might eventually seize the 1-2 shift collar and lose 1st & 2nd gear completely.

How hard is the rebuild? I have a buddy with tools so could I possibly rebuild it myself and save a grand or two?

[Matt@JHM]

If you are grinding going into a specific gear then that syncro is worn, bottom line.

Think of syncros as brake pads. They work great when they are new, but when they wear down.. no stoppy for you. Syncros have material on the outside of them to help slow down the gear when you are engaging it. When that material is gone or worn, the gear will grind because it can't do it's job correctly.

[gaspeedracer]

If you are grinding going into a specific gear then that syncro is worn, bottom line.

Think of syncros as brake pads. They work great when they are new, but when they wear down.. no stoppy for you. Syncros have material on the outside of them to help slow down the gear when you are engaging it. When that material is gone or worn, the gear will grind because it can't do it's job correctly.

Damn, I was hoping it was something else. Thanks for the answers guys

[mtm0673]

Any luck on this?

[AudiSportB5S4]

Any luck on this?

I'm a friend of Joe's (OP) and he ended up rebuilding his transmission after he was having more problems on 1-2 shifts also... Since then, he's been okay.

However, like others have said... I can't get into first that easily from above 10mph also, nor do I ever try to. I can downshift into first, but I never do. Sometimes just to be a tool I do, to make noize.

[G Men 08]

LOL^ "just to make noise"


So, How many of you start in 2nd gear?

[BlazinB5]

just outta curiosity - what's a freshly rebuilt S4 6-speed feel like? is it super smooth? or still kinda notchy?

[MileMan402]

I usually start in second. If I need first I do the 2nd-neutral-2nd-1st process as mentioned before.

[mtm0673]

From my searches it seems that first is not easy to get without going into another gear first? Very strange on a high end vehicle it isn't easier to shift. On my vehicle i have found that the linkage is toast. I will replace with jhm components WITHOUT the short shifter first and decided if i should overall the gearbox or not.

[G Men 08]

I am going to be adding a jhm short shifter as well. I hate having to push or pull my shifter 1 foot to get it from one gear to another

[EuroxS4]

I would get a shifter rebuild kit first and replace all the bushings in the linkage and so on first.Or try to realign your shifter.

[G Men 08]

I would get a shifter rebuild kit first and replace all the bushings in the linkage and so on first.Or try to realign your shifter.

Can you do that with the transmission in the car?

[mtm0673]

You can do it but you will need to lower the rear of the transmission to get the linkage off the top. I am starting this weekend on instaling the new linkage and realigning.