1st & 2nd gear sometimes difficult...

[ENDEE666]

I sometimes have difficulty getting into 1st & 2nd. Sometimes no trouble at all, and when it does give me trouble I can blip the throttle and then it goes in.. Usually either when putting it into 2nd from an almost stop (stop sign) or when down shifting before an exit ramp or something.. Any ideas? Cuurent drivetrain setup is- S4 trans with ~70k, Fidanza, Vast ceramic hybrid clutch, RS4 PP, JHM short shifter (as of yesterday) and Redline fluid in it. I also got the JHM linkage upgrade in hopes that will help, but did not install yet..

Any help is appreciated.. Thx..

[BastardS4]

needs a new shift collar. check out JHM's rebuild kit.

its a big job im afraid.

[YMJ]

i have the same problem, seems like a lot of b5 s4's have this problem!

what is the fix like? i cant race from a stand still cause 2nd is very hard to hit! downshifting is also hard! it shouldnt be this hard to shift in a german car :S.. BS.

[blmlozz]

the problem is the factory 1-2 shift collar was built within a very tight specification, add that to the fact that most B5 S4 owners abuse their cars which usually involves lots of power 1-2 shifts and you have the issue of the collar not sliding correctly and grinding which eventually will lead to a siezed 1-2 shift collar. There was an upgraded part made out of a tougher material and built within a looser specification, but that single part cost $650 alone. JHM's transmission overhaul kit contains this part and as bastardS4 said, it's defentally not something you should be attempting for the first time. Even with JHM's video it can be a very long and aggervating process and if you don't do it right the very first time then you waste tens of hours of wrenching, which isn't a good thing.


if you're experiencing hard shifting issues then it's only a matter of time before it completly seizes and makes the car undriveable. I would advise to take your time and safely shift until it can be fixed, which might buy you some time.

[2ndEngineS4]

the problem is the factory 1-2 shift collar was built within a very tight specification, add that to the fact that most B5 S4 owners abuse their cars which usually involves lots of power 1-2 shifts and you have the issue of the collar not sliding correctly and grinding which eventually will lead to a siezed 1-2 shift collar. There was an upgraded part made out of a tougher material and built within a looser specification, but that single part cost $650 alone. JHM's transmission overhaul kit contains this part and as bastardS4 said, it's defentally not something you should be attempting for the first time. Even with JHM's video it can be a very long and aggervating process and if you don't do it right the very first time then you waste tens of hours of wrenching, which isn't a good thing.


if you're experiencing hard shifting issues then it's only a matter of time before it completly seizes and makes the car undriveable. I would advise to take your time and safely shift until it can be fixed, which might buy you some time.

Very well said. But the car is still drivable after you sieze the collar. . . .as long as you are driving it to the shop to get it fixed

[YMJ]

I would advise to take your time and safely shift until it can be fixed, which might buy you some time.

funny thing, it actually seized up on me on a really bad highway here in toronto! im not sure it's exactly what u're reffering to, but my clutch wasnt working the only way for me to shift was turn the car off, pop it in first, turn the car on and start driving!

i couldnt shift, unless i rev matched it, the clutch wouldnt do shit! had to shift by just rev matching.

now funny thing, next day, everything was back to normal! i thought i had a $2-3,000 expense, but magically it fixed itself! now im waiting for the next time!

our tranny's suck ballz!

[BastardS4]

i finshed mine off after a day at a circuit track.

4500$ and a month later....

then 10,000km later the 3rd gear syncro failed.

[YMJ]

i finshed mine off after a day at a circuit track.

4500$ and a month later....

then 10,000km later the 3rd gear syncro failed.

so basically what u're telling me is, b5 s4 is GARBAGE?

we demand way too much, this is what happens when porsche engeneering(engine) meets audi's shitty tranny! LOL

[Matt@JHM]

the problem is the factory 1-2 shift collar was built within a very tight specification, add that to the fact that most B5 S4 owners abuse their cars which usually involves lots of power 1-2 shifts and you have the issue of the collar not sliding correctly and grinding which eventually will lead to a siezed 1-2 shift collar. There was an upgraded part made out of a tougher material and built within a looser specification, but that single part cost $650 alone. JHM's transmission overhaul kit contains this part and as bastardS4 said, it's defentally not something you should be attempting for the first time. Even with JHM's video it can be a very long and aggervating process and if you don't do it right the very first time then you waste tens of hours of wrenching, which isn't a good thing.


if you're experiencing hard shifting issues then it's only a matter of time before it completly seizes and makes the car undriveable. I would advise to take your time and safely shift until it can be fixed, which might buy you some time.

so basically what u're telling me is, b5 s4 is GARBAGE?

we demand way too much, this is what happens when porsche engeneering(engine) meets audi's shitty tranny! LOL

Sometimes it can be hard for manufactures to determine issues that will occur after long-term use. Just one of those things.

[YMJ]

Sometimes it can be hard for manufactures to determine issues that will occur after long-term use. Just one of those things.

agreed, but how come m3's dont have this issue? or do they?

[haus4]

I knew my was starting to show signs. You had to feel it into 2nd when the car was cold and couldnt rush it. I couldnt downshift into first ever. unless i was at a dead stop. It didnt bother me, until i drove in my friends b6 a4 and he was shifting into first with no problem.

O well, we cant have everything perfect

[Matt@JHM]

I knew my was starting to show signs. You had to feel it into 2nd when the car was cold and couldnt rush it. I couldnt downshift into first ever. unless i was at a dead stop. It didnt bother me, until i drove in my friends b6 a4 and he was shifting into first with no problem.

O well, we cant have everything perfect

Well you could just have a syncro problem. But still, if you replace them you should replace the collar anyways. When this collar fails it will lock up 1st and 2nd, like it feels sticky.

[blmlozz]

so basically what u're telling me is, b5 s4 is GARBAGE?

we demand way too much, this is what happens when porsche engeneering(engine) meets audi's shitty tranny! LOL

I didn't know porsche designed the apb, but it seems like Audi got ripped if they did, since 80% of the apb is basically from 2.8 and 1.8t technology.

I wouldn't say the transmission is crap, it can withstand 900hp without modification and is basically trouble free. Its when people abuse them when they break which happens with most oem parts from any manufacturer.

[YMJ]

I didn't know porsche designed the apb, but it seems like Audi got ripped if they did, since 80% of the apb is basically from 2.8 and 1.8t technology.

I wouldn't say the transmission is crap, it can withstand 900hp without modification and is basically trouble free. Its when people abuse them when they break which happens with most oem parts from any manufacturer.

i donno if i misheard, i never re-searched it.. but my friend told me that the 2.7t engine on b5 s4's were designed by Porsche!

correct me if im wrong..

[ENDEE666]

The shift collar is likely it. After watching some of the videos on JHM's site about how our trans and that shift collar works, it all makes sense. JHM is awesome. Installed their shifter the other night. I like it. Didn't change my 1st & 2nd issue, but really nice piece.

Does anyone think the linkage will help? I got that too but haven't installed it yet..

[blmlozz]

i donno if i misheard, i never re-searched it.. but my friend told me that the 2.7t engine on b5 s4's were designed by Porsche!

correct me if im wrong..

Audi designs all of it's engines In house, ocassionally they will hand it to somome to have it reworked like with the rs4 v6 tt, but that was even done by cosworth which was a recent Audi aquasistion at the time. I remeber reading reading the apb PDF and I never saw porsche designed mentioned so I would say that information about it being designed by them is inaccurate.

[ENDEE666]

i donno if i misheard, i never re-searched it.. but my friend told me that the 2.7t engine on b5 s4's were designed by Porsche!

correct me if im wrong..

The only one I remember being very Porsche influenced was the RS2... But as for anyone saying they are crap, not really the case. I am sure a stock 2.7T would go a mighty long time one its trans. We are taking cars that came with 250hp and getting them to 500-600hp... And our motors and all other parts hold up very well. There is a weak link in the trans. To be honest, I wish I saw the JHM kit a while back when I bought a used trans and just did it then... But really, imagine the stress it must put on a trans to make 4k lbs go from a complete stand still to 119mph and 1/4 mile in 11.83 seconds..

Anyway, off the Porsche topic and the "trans is crap" topic and back on the one at hand.. Does anyone think the linkage will help at all in this case? Or is that not worth it & I should use that $ towards the rebuild kit?

[o3spec]

go with the jhm rebuild. if you have the skill to pull your engine, which is pretty simple then along with jhm's installation video doing the trans rebuild is a breeze. i have never cracked a transmission before until i did the rebuild. it was ALOT of fun and so simple with the step by step vid. i just took my laptop to my garage and just went step by step double checking my work. it is such a complete video and rebuild i didn't find myself wondering if it was finished correctly or if i forgot something. i stress alot and i was completely calm afterwards.....

so if you are scared of doing this rebuild yourself, don't be. just buy the jhm rebuild then watch the video. its really very simple and complete that it will put your mind at ease.

just my .02

[ENDEE666]

go with the jhm rebuild. if you have the skill to pull your engine, which is pretty simple then along with jhm's installation video doing the trans rebuild is a breeze. i have never cracked a transmission before until i did the rebuild. it was ALOT of fun and so simple with the step by step vid. i just took my laptop to my garage and just went step by step double checking my work. it is such a complete video and rebuild i didn't find myself wondering if it was finished correctly or if i forgot something. i stress alot and i was completely calm afterwards.....

so if you are scared of doing this rebuild yourself, don't be. just buy the jhm rebuild then watch the video. its really very simple and complete that it will put your mind at ease.

just my .02

The work is not stressing me, the cost is. Unfortunately I do not have the facilities to do it myself so I would have SSP do it. So its the cost, not the complexity. $1200 for the kit on top of labor to drop it & rebuild... Not something I am looking forward to right now..

[o3spec]

The work is not stressing me, the cost is. Unfortunately I do not have the facilities to do it myself so I would have SSP do it. So its the cost, not the complexity. $1200 for the kit on top of labor to drop it & rebuild... Not something I am looking forward to right now..

i hated it when i didn't have a garage, you have my simpathy :( it sure saves alot of money

[Matt@JHM]

The work is not stressing me, the cost is. Unfortunately I do not have the facilities to do it myself so I would have SSP do it. So its the cost, not the complexity. $1200 for the kit on top of labor to drop it & rebuild... Not something I am looking forward to right now..

Due to that exact factor we have just released the JHM Minimum Repair Kit. On sale for $875. The retail price on the 1-2 collar is $615 alone.

http://www.jhmotorsports.com/shop/ca...roducts_id=236

Minimal kit ONLY to patch up your transmission and just fix the bad 1-2 shift collar and the 1st and 2nd gear synchros. Although we highly recommend the full kit, this is a great alternative if funds are lacking.

Still comes with a full step-by-step video for installation.

[ENDEE666]

Due to that exact factor we have just released the JHM Minimum Repair Kit. On sale for $875. The retail price on the 1-2 collar is $615 alone.

http://www.jhmotorsports.com/shop/ca...roducts_id=236

Minimal kit ONLY to patch up your transmission and just fix the bad 1-2 shift collar and the 1st and 2nd gear synchros. Although we highly recommend the full kit, this is a great alternative if funds are lacking.

Still comes with a full step-by-step video for installation.

Its one of those things that if I am going to have it dropped & rebuilt its going back together the right way for good.. Plus that 6th gear option is nice.. For a difference of $325 I would not cut corners..

[Matt@JHM]

Its one of those things that if I am going to have it dropped & rebuilt its going back together the right way for good.. Plus that 6th gear option is nice.. For a difference of $325 I would not cut corners..

Yep, totally agree. We added it to our site because we received many call and e-mails about a cheaper alternative to solve their locked up collar. We try to convince them to do the whole sha-bang while the tranny is pulled but sometimes it is just not possible for them.

And yes the 6th gear is awesome. We put it in my car a few weeks ago and I am loving it! We will be getting our post-install video footage soon.

[ENDEE666]

And yes the 6th gear is awesome. We put it in my car a few weeks ago and I am loving it! We will be getting our post-install video footage soon.

Which one did you do? .60 or .56? Had some thoughts on it. My car is weird under 2k rpm or so cause of the Fidanza and I like how I can usually pass people still in 6th gear. Will the car still pull in 6th with the upgrades?

[Matt@JHM]

Which one did you do? .60 or .56? Had some thoughts on it. My car is weird under 2k rpm or so cause of the Fidanza and I like how I can usually pass people still in 6th gear. Will the car still pull in 6th with the upgrades?

I have a .56 and have no problems passing at cruising speeds . I have a LW flywheel as well and notice no issues.

Here's a picture I took the other day.


Check this thread out if you missed it: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243776

[ENDEE666]

Thats awesome! And geared for higher top speed doesn't hurt either :)

So will the linkage upgrade not help my issue at all? If not, I will just exchange it towards the rebuild kit...

[blmlozz]

Thats awesome! And geared for higher top speed doesn't hurt either :)

So will the linkage upgrade not help my issue at all? If not, I will just exchange it towards the rebuild kit...

the linkage upgrade cures up some rod play in the shifter, it dosen't solve the mechanical problem within the transmission. The shift collar that selects 1st and 2nd gear is grinding and it's just a matter of time before it goes. No amount of forcing it will solve the problem, it just needs to be replaced. On that note. I wouldn't trade it in yet until you can eye-ball the condition of your stock linkage since the stock unit is plastic and does wear eventually, the JHM is a nice piece and it's defentaly worth the money.

[ENDEE666]

the linkage upgrade cures up some rod play in the shifter, it dosen't solve the mechanical problem within the transmission. The shift collar that selects 1st and 2nd gear is grinding and it's just a matter of time before it goes. No amount of forcing it will solve the problem, it just needs to be replaced. On that note. I wouldn't trade it in yet until you can eye-ball the condition of your stock linkage since the stock unit is plastic and does wear eventually, the JHM is a nice piece and it's defentaly worth the money.

Agreed, its a nice piece. But $200 towards the rebuild kit is noce too...

[s4Xcelence13]

Now im somewhat having the same issue, i was racing a SC Mach 1 and i went to shift into 3rd and grinded a bit(eek).. but when i went to shift into first or second at a stop light, i had to literally FORCE first and second in. I mean it sounds like synchros, but either way im going to have to rebuild right?

Also the JHM rebuild is a nice snag, i have a garage, are there any specific tools that i need for the rebuild?

[ENDEE666]

Sounds like the 1-2 Shift Collar on yours too. There is a video on JHM's site that explains what happens when it goes bad. Once I watched that it all clicked...

[sti4now]

I have trouble sometimes getting into second if I shift over 3k rpms, but I can still downshift into 2nd and other gears are fine shifting into. I know the shift collar is going but I am just going to sell the s4. What should I expect to get for my stage 3 s4 with 76k miles? It has been stage 3 for about 20k. I am asking 15k which I think is fair....