Transmission/Shifter issue, please help

[diablo9861]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Linkage-issue

Above is the link i put into the Transmission section and have got no love over there. Was seeing if posting in in the TT section i might get more help. To add to the other page, i just tried to do the Adjusting of the cables and it did not work. I followed the directions in the Bentley manual and im still stuck in 4th gear and and shifter is free to move where ever. Any ideas on this ? Trying to get as much input before i take it to a shop and get raped on labor etc. Thanks for anything you can offer.

[B8Buckeye]

i had the original problem you posted above - sorry about not posting a resolution to the problem before. for me it was the shifter linkage cable bushing that went bad. the bushing is located at the gear shift lever inside the car. i believe you need to access everything from underneath the car, though i had the top torn apart doing the linkage cable reset process. the broken bushing is a plastic part where the gear shift lever connects to the shifter linkage cable. when the bushing breaks, you need to replace the entire cable. my tuner had a spare shifter from a GTI sitting around and that worked for me, so i don't have a part number for you. it was an easy fix once we figured out what part was actually broken. the initial trouble shooting was the most time consuming and aggravating part...

[VdTechnofreak]

did you try the cable-resetting process that B7Buckeye referred to? It seemed like you coulda done it in the parking lot...so let us know how it proceeded to go. Not to threadjack, but does anyone notice a roughness going into 2nd? Is that the start of this plastic bushing wear? My wife's TT seems to make a crunchy sound in the shifter (not grinding in the tranny, but a crunch inside the vehicle), only when going from 1st to 2nd.

[diablo9861]

Thanks for the advice VD and buckeye. I have tried the resetting as told in the Bentley manual. Did not do anything for me. I am going to try and get the car up on stands this weekend and take a look from underneath to see if i can get to the cables etc... to check from there. Anyone know where to get the linkage parts such as the springs or cables etc ? Cant seem to find any online. Will keep you posted on what i find this weekend.

[diablo9861]

Alright i got under neath the car,loosened up the heat shields etc... to get a look at the cables and they looked intact and not bent or nothing. But it was hard to really get in there with out taking the exhaust off and remove the shields completely. I am going to try and get it to my sisters house where they have a lift so it will be easier.

[B8Buckeye]

Alright i got under neath the car,loosened up the heat shields etc... to get a look at the cables and they looked intact and not bent or nothing. But it was hard to really get in there with out taking the exhaust off and remove the shields completely. I am going to try and get it to my sisters house where they have a lift so it will be easier.

yeah - you need to take the whole thing apart and get to where the shift lever and linkage cables connect. at the end of the shift cable is an "eye-socket". in that socket lies the bushing. it is a white/cream colored plastic round piece that connects the cable to the shift lever. it is likely cracked. some of it may be missing and that can cause the shifter to feel "loose" or completely disconnected from the shift linkage. as i said before, i think you need to replace the shift cable to make the repair...

i hope that helps and you solve the problem!

@VD - what you describe sounds like it COULD be the beginning of the bushing problem. if you did the shift linkage reset and still have problems, it could be that your bushing is cracked and starting to wear out...

[diablo9861]

Ok took everything off from under neath and all looks good from the bushing and socket stand point. Cable does not appear to be bent, though i don't have a new one to compare with. So visually speaking all was good. Since I had the car on a lift and a second person to help look as i shifted from the cabin, it looks as if when shifting the shifter and at the trans. it seems it is going through all of the correct movements etc ... Does that lean toward it being something internal in the transmission, synchros ? or something else ? I am 100% clueless right now. If anyone has info or possibly questions for me that might help diagnose more, i am all ears. Thanks.

Also, stupid question, could the fluid possible need changed/added ?

[B8Buckeye]

if the connection of the shift lever to the cable is secure and the transmission seems to be going through the correct movements under the hood, it sounds like it must be something internal... hope you get to the bottom of this!

[diablo9861]

need a couple of suggestions/tips. Going to be taking the transmission out tomorrow night to take a look inside. has anyone done this and have any tips ? Also anyone know of some good DIYs. Seems the only thing i could find were for the S4s and other cars. Was hoping to find something TT specific. Do you guys recommend attempting replacement of synchros or whatever the problem is, or taking it to a transmission shop ?

[diablo9861]

heard back from the shop today. I removed the transmission myself took it to them. Said my shift fork broke. Is $640 out the door bad for the repair or should/could i save money doing it myself ?

[snowdogg]

Ck post #7 at this site... it may/or not help...

http://forums.fourtitude.com/showthread.php?4527775

Personally, I'd let a pro do it - but I don't have a heated garage and all the tools so DIY it isn't even an option.

[diablo9861]

yea, thats pretty much what im doing. Id rather someone that knows what they are doing fix it, because im about to be driving across country in the bastard and don't want me messing something up that would screw me.