Gear linkage... should this bit move?

PinkNoise · Mar 17, 2012

I'm trying to sort out my loose gear stick and so far i've managed to tighten the ball joint, but the whole "linkage sticky bit" is loose. My VERY basic understanding of this is that the rod circled in red is fixed to engine/box to keep the stick/shifter a constant distance from the box. The two greased rails either side then allow the stick/shifter to move with the engine/box in relation to the body. There is about half a inch of play in the direction of the arrow, is this normal or is the rod loose?

Thanks Guys

Steve in Chicago · Mar 17, 2012

The shifter assembly is connected to the transmission with a counter-torque rod just like you describe. There is an adjustment point so you can get the two parts aligned (spaced) to each other properly. If this is out of adjustment, you can have problems getting into gear completely. The adjustment procedure may be outlined in the Bentley Manual. I may have also seen it on the forum somewhere.

In addition to getting the OEM hardware properly adjusted, there are some after market upgrade parts available. The shifting rod is attached at the transmission end through a rubber U-joint. The rubber joint helps isolate the shifter from engine/trans vibrations. It also allows for a bit of slop in the linkage. If the car is old and the rubber joint has been subjected to oil/grease, it can become extra mushy. This will cause excessive linkage slop.

JHM Motorsports has a solid metal U-joint that replaces the rubber joint on the shifter rod.
They also have a solid bushing to replace the rubber bushing on the counter-torque rod.

Linkage Upgrades - JH Motorsports Inc. - -- JHM. Shifting you to the next level of Audi

PinkNoise · Mar 18, 2012

Short answer, yes.

.. atleast there is the same movement in my dads 2005 Passat with only 36K on it.

Gear linkage... should this bit move?

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