changing gear issues

[MURRAYS444]

Hi,

Today my car has started to struggle to engage first and second gear the rest of the gears are fine would I be needing a new clutch/gearbox the car is a 2000 S4 B5

 

[Brodster]

Does it feel like its slipping at all or just refusal to go into 1st and 2nd. Could be a dodgy linkage. If its the clutch buddy then pop over and we shall see about getting you a new Loba/Sachs item

 

[MURRAYS444]

Its stuggles to go in at first and second but fine the rest of the time the car is holding gear and the power delivery is fine no slipping of the revs so I don't think its slipping

 

[Sulli79]

Some S4 gearboxes have issues with 1st & 2nd synchro that require a gearbox rebuild. That is worst case, but as above try the linkage first.
Have a look on SRS maybe, for some info

 

[MURRAYS444]

Checked on SRS it seems to be a common problem which the first and second gears a sticking and require a rebuild

 

[@udi A3]

my a3 sticks sometimes putting it in fourth, have to hit it twice , seems ok when coming down from 5th most of the time but hard to get in first time from 3rd...

ive been told 4/6 are common to drop... :S

 

[MURRAYS444]

Got the car along to the garage today first and second weren't as bad to engage compared to how it was on Saturday will find out whats wrong with it during th week!

 

[aragorn]

Its a compound issue on the 01E.

1/2 synchros wear out, causing slightly notchy shifts and perhaps even some grinding if you try to rush it.

However if treated with care it'll remain like that for a long time.

What usually happens though, is at some point, someone goes for a fast 1-2 shift and properly grinds the box. When this happens, it mangles the teeth on the synchro hub, which means the hub will no longer smoothly engage onto each gear.

Sometimes it'll become very stiff to engage, other times it'll get jammed in gear, and other times you'll simply no longer be able to select the affected gear.


Before you condemn everything though, check the linkage alignment. My linkage isnt quite right, and it will often block 1st gear and its like pushing against a brick wall, unless you pull the stick slightly over towards 3rd then try and it drops right in.

 

[MURRAYS444]

Found out that the car needs a new clutch and flywheel and should be able to pick the car up tomorrow hopefully also getting new front discs and pads looks like i'm eating beans on toast for a while lol

 

[Blue_Thunder]

That won't solve your 1-2 shift problem though.

 

[MURRAYS444]

Thats what I was thinking I will see how the car is when I pic it up tomorrow I thought it was the common collar problem with the syncro sticking

 

[MURRAYS444]

That won't solve your 1-2 shift problem though.

Picked the car up today with the new clutch and flywheel you were right Blue_Thunder still having problems with reverse first and second gear changes I will get the car along to a gearbox specialist next week anybody no what the cheapest fix would be???

 

[Blue_Thunder]

As Aragorn has suggested, check the shifter alignment. That can cause slight issues engaging the gears. The fact it has come on all of a sudden does suggest it may be something as simple as that. If it isn't that, then it's gearbox time.

Replacement gearbox is your cheapest option, but a big gamble on the condition. I bought one for £350 which I was told was perfect, which I thought was a little too good to be true. It was too good to be true. Just as bad as the one it replaced!

The only other option you have is to buy the uprated parts and have it built, which you are easily looking at £1k. I would probably go back to the place you've just been to and ask if they'll give you a goodwill gesture for misdiagnosing the obvious problem and costing you a shedload without fixing the issue. You never know, they might do the labour cheap/free?

 

[MURRAYS444]

I was thinking I could get the garage to remove the gearbox from the car and I could take the gearbox to a specialist and have them look at it if that would be easier and cheaper!

 

[Blue_Thunder]

JockTheDog over on AudiSRS live somewhere in Midlothian I believe and he's done a few of these boxes himself now. Worth dropping him a message as he may well be able to give you good advice on price of the parts, and may even offer to do the work if you cross his palm with silver.

 

[MURRAYS444]

JockTheDog over on AudiSRS live somewhere in Midlothian I believe and he's done a few of these boxes himself now. Worth dropping him a message as he may well be able to give you good advice on price of the parts, and may even offer to do the work if you cross his palm with silver.

I have spoken to him years ago as I had spotted his B5 outside a specialist i'll pm him and see what he says thanks