Failed JHM short shifter install attempt

**whartung** · 10-15-2008 05:12 PM

Earlier today, much to my excitement, my JHM extra short shifter arrived in the mail. So of course, as soon as I found the time, I tried to install it. At roughly 4 o clock, after making a last minute stop at the hardware store to pick up a set of snap ring pliers, I started taking apart the stock shifter, and almost immediately, ran into a problem. I didn't have a 6mm Allen key of any kind. So after a brief debate, I drove my car without the shift knob or sound deadening back to the hardware store to see what I could find.

In the installation video, for those of you familiar with it, they appear to use a socket wrench and extension with a flexible Allen key on the end of it. And of course, with my luck, the best 6mm key the hardware store could supply me with was of course, just a key. Since it was just 89 cents and I was eager to at the very least attempt to get the shifter installed, I went along with it and shortly thereafter, resumed trying to get the stock shifter out.

And I managed to. After a lot of struggling underneath the ashtray with the Allen key, finally the shifter linkages came off and the shifter was out.

Not surprisingly, the first snap ring holding the reverse spring on came off without issue. But all good things must come to an end, and that end came with the second, much larger snap ring holding the entire plastic ball bearing, and thus the entire shifter, in place. The P.O.S. snap ring pliers I purchased couldn't get the large snap ring even close to out. (The pliers were some 15 dollar set that had interchangeable heads, and I really really don't recommend them unless the snap ring in question is really really small.) Needless to say, they slipped every time.

After struggling with that snap ring for a half of an hour, with daylight quickly fading, I realized that I had to give up and get the stock shifter back in and come back to fight another day.

Getting it back in, even just the stock unit, was no walk in the park. Everyone talks about how adjusting the JHM unit to sit right is a PITA. From the difficulty I had, I can't imagine the stock one is much easier. And the Allen key I had in tandem with the ashtray being consistently in the way didn't make it any easier. After maybe another half hour of adjusting the stock shifter, I finally got it seated in such a way that all my gears were accounted for.

However, I'm skeptical that any of the important bolts in the shifter linkage are in their as tight as they should be, thanks to the key. So now, the car is once again drive able, but I'm somewhat wary, reasonably so, about the strength of the shifter as it sits right now.

I suppose I'll have to re-tool and try again some other time. Which is frustrating, because I feel like I did all the work required to install the JHM unit, only the stock shifter is still sitting in my car.

I just wanted to rant. Sorry if my post is a bit verbose.

**enigma1406** · 10-15-2008 05:29 PM

nvm

**gaogi** · 10-15-2008 05:44 PM

You really want to make sure that 6mm allen screw is down really tight. Best way to get to it is a long extension bar and a universal joint (like this: Click). I had the displeasure of getting stranded on my way to work because that 6mm screw came loose, and I lost all my ability to shift.

**whartung** · 10-15-2008 07:21 PM

yeah i'm going to get that universal joint at the hardware store tomorrow, but I didn't see any allen heads for a ratchet there. I can get a 6mm allen key head for a socket wrench right?

**gaogi** · 10-15-2008 07:36 PM

Not sure what you mean, but I used something like this: Click

**whartung** · 10-15-2008 07:52 PM

thats exactly what i meant and its exactly what i need to buy in the next day or two.

**Bpitz15** · 10-15-2008 10:20 PM

found my 6mm allen key socket at sears
also pick up a good magnet for placing the bolts and 4 risers.. made shit a lot easier.
I also carry around my 6mm socket, swivel head and extension with me in the car since the other tools may be easy to come by if i get stranded if my 6mm screw came undone. Just peace of mind

good luck.. and you should note that this thread is not a representation of JHM's quality but a product of incorrect tools and...experience (not bagging on you)

**whartung** · 10-15-2008 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by Bpitz15

found my 6mm allen key socket at sears
also pick up a good magnet for placing the bolts and 4 risers.. made shit a lot easier.
I also carry around my 6mm socket, swivel head and extension with me in the car since the other tools may be easy to come by if i get stranded if my 6mm screw came undone. Just peace of mind

good luck.. and you should note that this thread is not a representation of JHM's quality but a product of incorrect tools and...experience (not bagging on you)

yeah i'm fully aware of the lack of tools and experience part. blaming JHM never crossed my mind. blaming audi, on the other hand, for making this difficult, has occurred to me.

I dont know if i'm going to go as far as a magnet. You'd be astounded at how sparse good stores are around these parts, and I feel like the magnet would set me back at least a week. I'm going to have my work cut out for me just finding that hex driver socket wrench head...

**gaogi** · 10-15-2008 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by whartung

yeah i'm fully aware of the lack of tools and experience part. blaming JHM never crossed my mind. blaming audi, on the other hand, for making this difficult, has occurred to me.

Haha, I think we have it good with Audi. BMW has made their shifter design 100x more PITA than ours!

**S4DTM** · 10-16-2008 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by whartung

yeah i'm fully aware of the lack of tools and experience part. blaming JHM never crossed my mind. blaming audi, on the other hand, for making this difficult, has occurred to me.

I dont know if i'm going to go as far as a magnet. You'd be astounded at how sparse good stores are around these parts, and I feel like the magnet would set me back at least a week. I'm going to have my work cut out for me just finding that hex driver socket wrench head...

You can get a magnet at Sears, or pretty much any hardware store. I HIGHLY recommend it though because dropping one of the screws down there is a rather larger problem. And that universal joint will definitely make a difference with the ashtray there. And with the snap rings, you kinda just have to be patient, they're all a pain in the a** but you want them to stay put when you're done too.

**whartung** · 10-16-2008 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by S4DTM

You can get a magnet at Sears, or pretty much any hardware store. I HIGHLY recommend it though because dropping one of the screws down there is a rather larger problem. And that universal joint will definitely make a difference with the ashtray there. And with the snap rings, you kinda just have to be patient, they're all a pain in the a** but you want them to stay put when you're done too.

i'll have to see where the nearest sears is in central NY. I have a magnetic screwdriver that i used to pick up the screws that I dropped yesterday.

its hard to be patient with the snap rings when Jason does it in all of 2 seconds on the JHM install video.

Anyway, if tomorrow allows i'll be making another go at it.

**whartung** · 10-18-2008 12:54 AM

So I did it today. After I spent about 50 bucks purchasing the right tools, (mostly spent on a good pair of snap ring pliers) I did the install, most of which I had already done, and the second time around, all said and done, it took me about an hour.

AMAZINGLY, I set the two adjustment bolts the first time expecting the have to redo them again and again and again, but somehow, the first time through I just happened to land on the exact right spot for the shifter. First, second and reverse gears come without any sort of complaint whatsoever.

Somehow, the hardest part of the entire install was getting the JHM shifter bearing into the plastic shifter mount. The thing just would not go in. I ended up having to use a pad and a mallet to pound the bearing into place, and once it stopped moving, I didnt even have to use any shims. Which is disconcerting, considering the video says to use the thickest, 1mm shim. However, considering pounding on the bearing with a mallet wasn't making it budge, I'm not too concerned that the lack of shim is very important.

The shifter now feels like what a Ferrari's shifter must feel like. The shifter is so slick, its unbelievable. I'm skeptical that it helps with the drivetrain slop from 1st-2nd, but it feels fantastic to shift gears regardless. Thanks jason

**jpv** · 10-23-2008 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by whartung

Somehow, the hardest part of the entire install was getting the JHM shifter bearing into the plastic shifter mount. The thing just would not go in. I ended up having to use a pad and a mallet to pound the bearing into place, and once it stopped moving, I didnt even have to use any shims. Which is disconcerting, considering the video says to use the thickest, 1mm shim. However, considering pounding on the bearing with a mallet wasn't making it budge, I'm not too concerned that the lack of shim is very important.

No worries, I had trouble too with getting the bearing piece into place. At first, the snap ring definitely didn't look like it would fit. So, after multiple tries...I ended up using a little grease around the bearing and slid it into place with one swift push into the mount. At that time, it looked like the snap ring would be the only thing that could fit...so, I tried it and after a little banging (to get the bearing to push in just a little bit more), I managed to get the snap ring here. So, that's two of us with no shims!

**Captain Insano** · 10-24-2008 01:25 AM

I read this thread and cringe at the problems I will face during this install. My SS just arrived from JHM the other day and I have not had time to install it. I want to set aside at least a half day in case I run into problems. I will run into problems - my modding/install luck is about as bad as it gets. What can go wrong always does go wrong during my installs.

Nice heads up on the tools. Thanks guys.

**Justincredible** · 10-24-2008 03:44 AM

The tools are 80% the issue for most with the installs. The one I installed went in and adjusted easy.

For the best results on adjusting. Take a mental note to the location of the shifter and the placement of the screws on the shaft and the top. I did that and the rest was just time and effort. There is little that will go wrong if you just take your time.

Now go out there and get you a new shifter... I know how much better my tip feels when I condition the shifter handle