Short Shifter Install Fail?

DieselJake · Apr 25, 2017

Had a cheap eBay short shifter fitted at a garage today.

Doesn't seem to engage in 4th or reverse properly and the throw doesn't seem any shorter than stock!

Not sure if they've done something wrong or if it can be adjusted or what but any input will be greatly appreciated.

Here's a video:

Here's what I bought:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280644149348

Dani_B19 · Apr 25, 2017

Probably a mix of the shifter been low quality and the garage fitting it wrong. The 4th and reverse may be due to the shifter catching on something or the shift links been set incorrectly.

Not sure on the a4 gearboxs but on the 02m gearboxs on the s3's if doing anything with linkages etc then the gearbox selector needs resetting. Maybe the case here.

Have you googled it?

DieselJake · Apr 25, 2017

Looked/seemed allot better than allot of cheap kits and I like how it gets rid of the plastic ball. No idea about shift links or anything, not even really sure what they are or how to change?

Ah right cool again I'm pretty lost with what the gearbox selector is and how it can be reset?

I did try to search but it didn't seem many people had fitted short shifters and if they had I couldn't find anyone that had problems :grumpy:

Maybe it is catching on something, does seem a bit coincidental how it's the two lower right gears.

Sygh2k · Apr 25, 2017

try searching jhm short shifter and adjustment, its a similar item. i fitted mine last year and very small adjustments made huge differences.

Dani_B19 · Apr 25, 2017

What did the garage have to say?

DieselJake · Apr 25, 2017

Dani_B19 said:
What did the garage have to say?

Got the car just as they closed so last thing I heard was them saying everything's sorted on the phone.

... Despite the fact they also didn't fit the gear knob I gave them yet it says they fitted a new one on the invoice.

QuattroCalum · Apr 26, 2017

The bolt can be put in numerous positions, basically the closer to the top of the shaft the shorter the throw. There's three positions on the shaft as well.

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DieselJake · Apr 26, 2017

QuattroCalum said:
The bolt can be put in numerous positions, basically the closer to the top of the shaft the shorter the throw. There's three positions on the shaft as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ah right cool, cheers for letting me know, taking it back Saturday so I'll tell them to adjust that too, why they thought I'd like it set at near stock throw is beyond me just feels like they rushed the whole thing and cocked it up.

DieselJake · Apr 27, 2017

For reference this appears to be the solution.

Going to show the garage this and will update if I'm still pulling my hair out.

QuattroCalum · Apr 27, 2017

It's quite fiddly to do, not much room to work. It's trial and error to find the perfect throw that suits you.

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QuattroCalum · May 5, 2017

Did the garage manage to shorten the throw on the gearstick, just wondering randomly.

DieselJake · May 5, 2017

They shortened it and did what I sent in the video, now it feels amazing :yahoo:

Fitted the gear knob too which three different people at the garage said wouldn't fit (despite me test fitting it on the shifter before hand!), bet they felt silly after all this talk of "it wouldn't fit, we weren't trying to get out of doing it".

I'd name and shame the garage but to be fair they came through in the end and it is a tricky one to get correct, although they shouldn't of left me with a car that wouldn't fully engage in 4th and reverse though!

Haven't really inspected the original shifter but the ball must of been totalled or something as this feels worlds apart; precise and notchy now. Haven't tried a JHM short shifter but with how good this one is and how similar they look I can't see it being worth £180+ more.

QuattroCalum · May 5, 2017

The one you linked is the exact one I had in my old Passat. Good quality item, I had a good few try's at getting the shift just right. Plastic parts don't take much use to loose their feel. So annoying to see newer cars having increasing amounts of plastic parts i.e. inlet manifolds, accountants taking the p***, someone at VAG needs to stand up to them and say "NO! WE'RE USING ALUMINIUM!

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Sean_ · May 9, 2017

How do you find it after fitting, worthwhile mod?

Something I've been looking to do for awhile but kits are quite expensive, never seen the one you bought before. Had one in my old Cupra R and I loved it!

Also what gear knob did you go with? Looking to replace mine too.

DieselJake · May 9, 2017

Sean_ said:
How do you find it after fitting, worthwhile mod?

Something I've been looking to do for awhile but kits are quite expensive, never seen the one you bought before. Had one in my old Cupra R and I loved it!

Also what gear knob did you go with? Looking to replace mine too.

I'd say it's worth doing so long as it's fitted correctly.

Depends what your looking for really, I wouldn't say the throw has been dramatically decreased but it feels allot more notchy and precise, plus the fact it's metal now rather than a load of plastic rubbish (which is probably the main reason it felt rubbish before).

I just replaced mine with an s-line type one without the badge (technically a "sport") as it's hard to find much else for 5 speeds, if yours is 6 you have allot more options.

Sean_ · May 9, 2017

DieselJake said:
I'd say it's worth doing so long as it's fitted correctly.

Depends what your looking for really, I wouldn't say the throw has been dramatically decreased but it feels allot more notchy and precise, plus the fact it's metal now rather than a load of plastic rubbish (which is probably the main reason it felt rubbish before).

I just replaced mine with an s-line type one without the badge (technically a "sport") as it's hard to find much else for 5 speeds, if yours is 6 you have allot more options.

Nice, well its something I'm definitely going to consider getting. Will probably get someone more experienced to fit it for me.

Mine is a 6 speed but can't really find many options apart from a B7 S-Line, love the S3 8P gear knobs but don't think they fit.

Dani_B19 · May 9, 2017

Can't seem to find any 6 speed shifters.
Pretty sure the 8p knob fits Sean.

Sean_ · May 10, 2017

Dani_B19 said:
Can't seem to find any 6 speed shifters.
Pretty sure the 8p knob fits Sean.

Oh really? Have you seen it fitted to another B7 Dani? Wouldn't mind changing the shifter and gear knob at the same time. Next on the list for me I think!

Dani_B19 · May 10, 2017

From memory mate, I had a s3 and I've changed the a4 gear knob also and from memory I'm sure they have the same grip fittings and use the grab ring the same.

Dani_B19 · May 10, 2017

Would look abit word though having a s3 emblem gear knob in the a4 cab ?

Sean_ · May 11, 2017

Dani_B19 said:
Would look abit word though having a s3 emblem gear knob in the a4 cab ?

Yeah I know but I do like the look of the S3 one, if they done the same with the S4 I would have had one already! I seen nice A4 S-line ones with a red outline and perforated leather but i've only see it in 5 speeds!

DieselJake · May 11, 2017

I'd suggest RS4 although technically the car isn't an S3 or RS4 haha, mine isn't an s-line either which is why I went with the "sport" one, some of the Audi A1's have a nice silver gear knob which I don't think has any writing on it and a few people have fitted. Think mine's the same as the one @Sean_ mentioned minus the red outline.

Short Shifter Install Fail?

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