B7 Shift Linkage MT6 "pop off due to battery corosion deteriorated rubber donut"

[WileyBrill]

Experiances? Fixes?
I was traveling cross-country and "lost ability to shift into 1,2 or 5,6!"
I struggeled to get to the Audi Dealer in Albequerqe, NM - (very nice people ALL and REAL Mechanics!)

Bottom Line - some how in the last eighteen (18) years or so, battery acid had dripped down onto the shifter "donut/grommet connection" such that the shift linkage connection had "popped off" when I went for 2nd gear exiting the freeway for fuel - Grants, NM!
I've never experienced anything like this - (I snapped off a shift lever on a 914 Porsche in 1972 - once) - the situation completly puzzeled me!

With 3/4 left, I put some serious abuse to the clutch, got to that Porsche/Audi Dealer - (old school when they were together - haw many recall that?).
An hour and a half, later, the mechanic, (not just a "tech"), found, fixed the issue, showed me the issue, how he did a "work around - that works" - and offerred that the Audi linnkage repair/replacemant was $1K plus 7-10 days out, from Germany - only !

I was out and on the road in 2.5 hours or less, from - drive to the Service Door ! That - is the "BEST" service I have EVER recieved at an Audi Dealership in nearly 18 years!!!

So, "what you got?"

Any of you "been there-done that" - OEM Genuine replacement or better than aftermarket of "the donut" part - or is whole new linkage required?

Please let me know - thank you.

WB

[CrickiKaze]

https://jhmotorsports.com/products/s...4-no-core.html

https://jhmotorsports.com/products/s...d-rs4-all.html

[q_dubz]

pictures man, pictures

[WileyBrill]

https://jhmotorsports.com/products/s...4-no-core.html

https://jhmotorsports.com/products/s...d-rs4-all.html

CK, Thank you - two (2) options - look good!

WB

[WileyBrill]

Please look at the previous post by CK - they show two (2) approaches to replace. (Photos of)

It is on top of the MT6 tranny - very dificult to get to or see...

WB

[CrickiKaze]

Those are 2 different products for 2 different locations, both go on the same side but since I'm not home to visual see which one would be directly under the battery tray I produced both.

[WileyBrill]

Those are 2 different products for 2 different locations, both go on the same side but since I'm not home to visual see which one would be directly under the battery tray I produced both.

Got it - Thank you...

WB

[WileyBrill]

https://jhmotorsports.com/products/s...4-no-core.html

https://jhmotorsports.com/products/s...d-rs4-all.html

Ok, So I got the JHMotorsports "upgrade" and I also got from them, the "billet aluminum" clamps, for their center propshaft rubber, piece, "improver" - given mine is Original and there is a bit of drivetrain lash, (even though all looks just fine) - I'd like to "suppport".

However, after multiple phone VMs left, they apparently, do not listen - so when I request the correct torque value, for the new bolt on the shiftlinkage part and the correct torque for the bolt/nylock nut sets, they send - (with no printed paper instructions, no less), would you please, based on your knowledge and experience, hit me back with what those torques are?

Thank you.

WB

[WileyBrill]

On Wednesday, 4 Dec 24, myself and my mechanic, attempted to use the JH Motorsports, "Kit", to remedy the shift linkage issue, above described.
No Joy - the JH Motorsports Kit, is way, too large of diameter of bolt and sleeve and two (2) Delrin busing halves, to fit the bushing/shift linkage location of topic!

I have, since, sent a letter, which included the unused, still in plastic baggy, Kit, I purchased from them - requesting a resolution, enclosing an exploded parts diagram from Audi, showing the location of the issue to be remedied.

Sent USPS Priorty Mail - JH Motorsports, should have recieved the package, yesterday, Monday, 9 Dec 24.

We'll see...

WB

[CrickiKaze]

Sounds like a skill issue, even when I did my first european AWD clutch swap on my first RS4 I worked through the issues when I fully upgraded all the shifter upgrades. It's meant to be a tight fit.

[WileyBrill]

Delrin doesn't squish!

[CrickiKaze]

Yeah, that's the idea...interference fit comes to mind.

[WileyBrill]

Yeah, that's the idea...interference fit comes to mind.

Regardless of the term - using calipers - no way...
I was given bad info - I found out this week, an OEM Audi Original Bushing and bolt are still available. Since I am doing this, all, with the tranny in place - that is what is going in...
WB

[S4Bennett]

I recently installed a JHM delrin shifter bushing. I don’t recall it being difficult but I’ll try to recite what I can remember. The engine and transmission were lowered. Removed the bolt, unthreaded the bottom washer to remove the bolt, squished the rubber bushing out, set the bushing halves in place (thin and thick half placement per instructions), pressed the new bushing in with a pair of pliers (no lube). Reused factory bolt and washer.

Perhaps it helps?

[WileyBrill]

I recently installed a JHM delrin shifter bushing. I don’t recall it being difficult but I’ll try to recite what I can remember. The engine and transmission were lowered. Removed the bolt, unthreaded the bottom washer to remove the bolt, squished the rubber bushing out, set the bushing halves in place (thin and thick half placement per instructions), pressed the new bushing in with a pair of pliers (no lube). Reused factory bolt and washer.

Perhaps it helps?

Thank you, but now that I have New OEM Genuine bushng & bolt, I'll being doing this replacement, In Place - no lowering... Thank you for your comments/recall. When my mechanic & I put a pair of calipers on the Delrin/JHM halves, the bolt they sent and compared to the in-place linkage - hole end and opening - we both said "no way".
I sent the Kit back to JHMotorsports, complete, in the same bag it came in - now, a month later - no word from them and no refund... Not very happy about that kind of CS!
WB