Shifter problem. Video!

[seanj130]

Hi all,

97 a4 1.8tq

So when I'm in 1rst gear I can make it look like I'm in 1 or 3. if Im in 3rd i can make it look like I'm in 1rst or 5th. 2nd looks like 4 and vice versa (that is how loose the shifter is). However, when I try to go into reverse I think that its in gear but maybe not all the way because it just sorta grinds. it doesn't pop out, it just grinds. I think that the bushing are just so shot it cant find reverse? here is the video turn the speakers up to hear it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/seanj130.../0/3LWqLFM16jY

Thanks in advance,
Sean.

[wildbill]

sounds like possibly a linkage adj....have you looked?

[seanj130]

dont even know where to begin looking, i will try and look tomorrow when there is more light out as I dont need a car tonight (no drinky and drivey for me) but what exactly am i looking for?

[wildbill]

theres linkages to the bell housing area. start there, it seems like somethings off, did you launch/slam into gear before it happened?

[seanj130]

yepp.. been slamming into reverse for awhile now.. dont launch much.. every once in a blue moon,(not in the past month or so)

[wildbill]

could have done it. once youre in a gear is it ok?

[seanj130]

dont know, cant get it into gear. but yea it was ok when it was in

[wildbill]

is it grinding into all gears?

[seanj130]

^^ no just reverse.

[wildbill]

but is it tough into all gears? if its just reverse it could still be linkage issue, but that grinding is your synchro = trans rebuild is inevitable if you ever want to back up again. so first check the top of the housing for the linkages and post up your results

[seanj130]

Sometimes it misses first and i can only get into 3rd. when it does that i can get into reverse however i cant get into first. a tranny with 35k on it just went into the car. think the bolt on the tranny housing backed off and shit became loose (remember it did not gradually get like this, it just started at once)

[wildbill]

possible, wailing into gear will do it. also your synchros are turning to coffee beans, thats the grind

[zrowcool]

i would start with adjusting the shifter inside the car. it isnt fully engaging the gears. there are 2 rods right in front of the shifter which deal with the shifter placement and throw of the gears, loosen the allen bolts and move it around. im about 80% sure thats your problem.

[seanj130]

^^ thank you. just dont wanna spend another grand on a tranny build.

[wildbill]

not yet....fix it b4 its too late....like lymphoma!!! deffg sounds linkage related, also looks like a f^%&*D up linkage

[seanj130]

So i have an update. i loosened the the plastic surrounding my whole shifter assembly. and i was able to find reverse and got it working with no problems. with everything tightened down i cant get to reverse. the shifter just woke make it over that far!. So it works, just needs some adjusting it looks like.