RS4 B5 gearbox weakness

[Kveite]

I have heard there is a weakness in the gearbox in the first versions of the RS4. The shaft running 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear was not strong enough and could fail. This was upgraded in later models. I am not sure when the upgrade came, probably in 2001.

Has anyone else heard of this shaft weakness and maybe some malfunctions?

I have my gearbox being serviced now and to replace the syncronisation for the 2nd gear. At the sametime the company servicing offered to replace this shaft to the newer strengthned version and to little cost in manhours. The downside is the suprisingly high price for the shaft. 1300 british pounds installed.

Is it necessary to replace this shaft?
Of course, it will be a lot cheaper to replace while the gearbow already is dismounted..

[neckarsulm]

There are two gearbox engine codes, all is revealed here
http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... arbox+code

[Contigo]

So it seems that only a handful of the cars actually had the newer carbon shafts fitted as even the Y reg cars will have been pre april 2001. I wonder if it was just the 51 plates that had them?