6speed <beep> quality query?

Post by **Druggie** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 2:45 am

Hi all, even though I am only new to the forum and live on the opposite site of the world to most of you i would appreciate some help on the following....(Not as many S4 owners in aussie as in europe)

To all S4 owners with the 6 speed box can you give me some input as to what the shift quality is like in your vehicles. Is it always smooth and easy to shift between the lower gears as it is in the higher gears? Or is there always some coarseness, resistance and delay when shifting b/w 1-2 and 2-3 and even 3-4 at mid to high revs? Is this why many fit a short shift kit which corrects these problems?

I believe my car to have some synchro issues (esp when going into 3rd gear ) but before i tackle audi as my car is under warranty i want some feedback on what other s4 6 speeds are like.

Maybe I am just too critical...

Cheers
Tony

Post by **Morpheous** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 8:24 am

From a personal point of view, I have driven cars with much better shift qualities, and yes second and third did seem to baulk which was much improved with careful adjustment, but that said my new car (thanks Simon) does feel much more precise than the old one, both of which have short shifters.
However a poor adjustment or worn bushes will obviously make the shift feel much worse, as will knackered synchros. There are a few boxes which had modified internal shift parts for repeated customer complaints, so trip to centre would be a good idea if its under warranty.
The Tanoga fitted to my old car has just been sold so quick swap with the factory shifter (and taken photos if anyone wants to see how to do it) resulted in less effort but MUCH more movement. It did take a while to adjust to a smooth feel. The stick should be 7 degrees back from vertical and distance from the stick to gaitor surround should be roughly equal when in third and fourth.There is a measurment when the gaitor is off but I find this as starting point only.
The short shifter will amplify your problem if it is synchro related, with slightly more effort required over the factory, but hey at least you wont feel like the gear shift will punch a hole in the nav/tv screen when you slam it into third!!

Post by **Nige_RS4** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 9:32 am

Most S4 owners complain of a poor gear change, especially engaging 1st when cold and the shifts between 1-2 and 2-3 aren't the smoothest if you try and rush it. A well aligned short-shifter will make them more precise if not notchier, but I found that the APR snub mount has made the gear change noticably better in my car.

Post by **Dippy** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:43 pm

Although I sometimes find the shifting a bit 'relucatant' when cold, once the car is warmed up I have no problems at all. I have a short-shifter, but I had it installed ONLY to reduce the movement of the gearshift lever and not to improve the actual gear change mechanism. In fact I think the shift action became a tad harder as a result, but I tolerated that: With the OEM shifter I kept getting lazy and scrunching the gears.

Before I decided to buy an S4, I test drove a BMW 330Ci. I found that gearbox a complete 'bucket of nails' in comparison to my S4!

Post by **Golich** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 1:34 pm

Yup the gearboxes are not the best. Having said that any crunching is not acceptable. This is slowly but surely amounting to accelerated wear. So if it is, get onto your dealer. It makes no difference to them when it comes ot replacing it. In fact they will be only too delighted as they get paid a handsome amount by the warranty company to do the work!

Post by **Morpheous** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 8:50 am

Porsche use this gearbox in two wheel drive form in the 968, in 96 we had problems with diff bearings and had to do countless rebuilds to replace them, the shift characteristics are slightly different due to gearbox being connected to engine via a torque tube (Engine front gbox in the rear)and long selector mech but I remember we had a few complaints which resulted in the selector detents being modified, they were also forever modifying the material on the synchro hubs and adjusting the shape of the dog teeth and changing to vv expensive oil.
These mods would have found there way into these boxes by now, but on the whole, driving my old car with the factory shifter, the shift, although not perfect, is smooth with the odd sticky engagement more so when cold as the others have pointed out.
Fitting a short shifter will amplify any problems you do have if it is more of an internal problem as Dippy says.

Post by **Druggie** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 1:08 pm

Thankyou to all. Very interesting readng. Ive done about 500kms now with the syntrax oil audi put into the box and there has been a gradual improvement in the last few days (weather has also been warmer so maybe oil is warming up more and improving the shift quality). Will keep an eye on it and will report back to audi at the end of the week.
Is the b6 6speed different to the b5? If they do come to the party and rebuild it is there are enhancements that have occured over the life cycle of the b5 or b6 (if its the same box) that i should make sure they include to improve its durability and performance?

Post by **Morpheous** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 7:25 pm

Wrong part of forum me thinks, check out audi world in the US for problems with manual boxes, they conducted a poll regarding this issue.
Not sure if you can get a short shifter for the B6 yet but could be very wrong as not interested in B6.

Post by **Druggie** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 12:07 pm

Sorry Morpheus... Forgot where I was for a moment...

Post by **Dippy** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:14 pm

B6? Wash your mouth out!

Post by **Druggie** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 2:08 pm

Got any soap?
only have this kind to your skin wash.

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6speed <beep> quality query?

6speed <beep> quality query?

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