Modify A4 shift detents?
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Modify A4 shift detents?
As you know, the A4 selector can be moved back and forth between D and N without pushing the button. I'd like to be able to "Heel and Toe" during my downshifts from 3 to 2- (go 3-N-blip throttle-2) that would be easier on the driveline, and upset the car less. I can easily bump the selector forward into N, but needing to push that darned button to get into 2 is just too complex, I tend to end up in either 3 or 1. So I'd like to modify the detents so that the lever can be moved from N all the way to 2 without using the button. Any ideas on how to do this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Gilbert, AZ, USA
Re: Modify A4 shift detents? (Gearhead Jim)
Interesting idea, I don't know how the internals are set, but I'd assume that by modifying it to not require the button, you may also remove the button from the N-R shift, making it very easy to bump into R. Another idea, I don't know how doable, is to have the button put the drivetrain into neutral, so you just push button in and move to new gear, holding button, while blipping, then release button.
Sam
Sam
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St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Modify A4 shift detents? (Sam Lin)
Well, I'm pretty sure that the button simply allows the selector to move past mechanical detents in the console. If so, it could not be modified to actually change the gear. Hopefully, I can simply block the detents that stop it in D and 3, so it would move freely from N to 2 without effecting the detent that keeps it out of R. I hope.....
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Modify A4 shift detents? (Buckmaster)
Fast One- I'm sure that the stress would be reduced, if the technique is done properly: shift to neutral, blip the engine to match what the rpm will be in the lower gear, select lower gear. That's what we do with a 6-speed. The load is applied more gradually to the gears and entire driveline, plus clutch wear should be almost zero since the two shafts are turning at almost identical speeds. IF IF IF it's done properly.....
Buckmaster- Accidental movement shouldn't be a problem on the track- I'd keep my hands on the wheel except for shifting, then a quick bump of the selector to the detent. Only problem would be if I accidentally pushed the button and went PAST the detent. With my stock setup, every time I'm in 3 and downshift to 2, no button is needed since I'm already past the D to 3 detent. That means every time I select 2, I could easily overshoot and select 1. So the mod might actually make it safer. But your point is valid for normal street driving- it would be possible to accidentally bump the selector from D to 3 or 2. I'll have to think about that.....
Buckmaster- Accidental movement shouldn't be a problem on the track- I'd keep my hands on the wheel except for shifting, then a quick bump of the selector to the detent. Only problem would be if I accidentally pushed the button and went PAST the detent. With my stock setup, every time I'm in 3 and downshift to 2, no button is needed since I'm already past the D to 3 detent. That means every time I select 2, I could easily overshoot and select 1. So the mod might actually make it safer. But your point is valid for normal street driving- it would be possible to accidentally bump the selector from D to 3 or 2. I'll have to think about that.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Hilton NY
Re: Modify A4 shift detents? (Gearhead Jim)
If you remove the shifter you can possibly file the part of the plastic gate so the detent for second is rounded and shouldn't need the button pushed but still provide a stop. I consider the stock shifter laughable and designed a good one without the button. I thought the 4 to neutral shift with no button needed was a poor design since it allowed an upshift past 4th to neutral at WOT. Also an A4 is not a 6 speed, when you shift from 3 to N to 2 the transmission acually shifts from 3 to N to 3 to 2 since it has to pass through 3rd again. I think you're trading one kind of stress for another. If you plan on removing the shifter be careful not to break the fragile shift cable.
