1-2 shift grinds sometimes

[armin1993]

Hey everybody, been having some problems with my 1-2 shift on my 2001 s4. Seems when I get on it in first gear and push in the pedal to shift into second it will kinda grind sometimes. Other times it'll do it when I drive it normally an try to shift it into second, as soon as I press the pedal it'll grind. Now it only maybe does this once a week. Do you guys think it could be my clutch, or would it be something more complicated such as the synchros.

[MikeyB3]

Definitely the synchros. You should be extra gentle with it til you can have it fixed as it's only going to make it worse the more it grinds. I had the exact same issue and it got real bad, real quick. I replaced both the synchro and 2nd gear with OEM and have zero problems now. Depending on your car and its power level, you may want to consider a TDI 6th gear as a 'while you're in there' upgrade too.

[Zba]

Shiiiiiit, might as well get an RS4 third too

[MikeyB3]

Shiiiiiit, might as well get an RS4 third too

I mean, while you're in there Hehe

[redline380]

Maybe a good place to ask your guys' recommendation. My 4th grinds all the time. I can get it to go in without grinding if I double clutch and hit the revs pretty accurately. Then it will go in. Downshifting into 4th is not an option.

What would you all replace? Whole synchro set and 3-4th collar? Which synchro set to go with? Upgrade 1-2 collar too? The car has 198k and since I do not know, assume the transmission is original.

[armin1993]

The thing is though it's not hard to get it into second gear at all, and when it grinds like the shifter just falls into second really quick, makes the grinding sound and goes into second than. It rarely does it. If it's the synchros would it be better and cheaper to get a used reconditioned transmission or just get the 1-2 kit to replace the synchros and collar.

[Zba]

grinding is grinding and you need synchros. If you plan on keeping the car for any amount of time spending the 1500$ on a reconditioned unit from one of the vendors on here would be the way to go. Or if you are so inclined get the parts and build it yourself for around 800$

[Scotty@Advanced]

Try changing the fluid.

[Number54]

^^^ This. Plus there are additives to help out. I had this done on my RS4 which grinds 1-2 and much less 3-4. For me, it made it a little better, not much. Has been like this for 2 years now, and it doesn't appear to be getting worse. Note that the grinding goes away when my car is warm, I don't know if that means my issue is less severe or not.