is it true this is "normal" for our 6 speed trannies??...
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is it true this is "normal" for our 6 speed trannies??...
I swapped out my tranny about 5 months ago because of a "2nd gear synchro" problem. It was replaced with a used 6 speed w/ 29k on it from Shokan, which came with a 6 month parts warranty. The shifter has always been kind of notchy, but not enough that it wasn't drivable. Now with the cold weather it's much worse. I can't (won't) use 2nd gear until my car warms up and I can almost never shift into 2nd at anything faster than a slow double clutch, and even that feels a little rough. It only ever grinded in 2nd once, and that was on a fairly fast shift into 2nd at high rpms in the cold (never tried that again). Downshifting into 2nd is near impossible as well, regardless how closely I rev match. But what's throwing me off is that 2-3 and 3-4 are out of whack too. I tried realigning my shifter but I can never get it to feel just right, so I'm not quite sure what the problem is.
I called Shokan about it and they said that this is "normal for these trannies", they are "very strong" but they "shift like a semi", is what I was told. I know others have the same problem, but is this normal or not? I've got a month left on this warranty and if its not right I want to get it taken care of. I regret not buying the Stasis rebuilt.
I called Shokan about it and they said that this is "normal for these trannies", they are "very strong" but they "shift like a semi", is what I was told. I know others have the same problem, but is this normal or not? I've got a month left on this warranty and if its not right I want to get it taken care of. I regret not buying the Stasis rebuilt.
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2nd gear has always been hard in the cold.
It has some to do with what gear oil was used. It also has a lot to do with where you park overnight.
When I parked outside overnight in freezing weather with the stock fluid, then the following morning 2nd gear was impossible as you described until the fluid warmed up. So I would consider that normal also.
After swapping in different gear oil the problem is less, but still present. The biggest change was moving to an insulated garage. So the temperature pretty much never drops below 40.
Also the issue is more noticeable with a short shifter.
And also the problem never occured in freezing weather sitting in the work parking lot for 8 hours. It was only if it sat overnight outside in freezing weather, so I'd say 12+ hours.
When I parked outside overnight in freezing weather with the stock fluid, then the following morning 2nd gear was impossible as you described until the fluid warmed up. So I would consider that normal also.
After swapping in different gear oil the problem is less, but still present. The biggest change was moving to an insulated garage. So the temperature pretty much never drops below 40.
Also the issue is more noticeable with a short shifter.
And also the problem never occured in freezing weather sitting in the work parking lot for 8 hours. It was only if it sat overnight outside in freezing weather, so I'd say 12+ hours.
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On audi trans fluid, 2nd gear was sometimes not there for the 1st mile or so in the cold,
have redline fluid of some sort in there now, and even on a morning in the teens the 1-2 shift is fine. All the previous years I would just run 1st out a bit, then shift to 3rd, don't have to do that now.
Wish I remembered the exact fluid, but it's whatever the appropriate redline manual trans fluid is for the S4
Wish I remembered the exact fluid, but it's whatever the appropriate redline manual trans fluid is for the S4
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From: NJ->CO
Since I bought the car brand new...
Some have tried Redline MTL and it worked for them, but I feel it may be a little bit too lightweight for the Torsen. MT-90 is the correct weight, but as I noted before it only helped a little bit. Other still say that they swapped the OEM fluid with more OEM fluid and it works best for them...maybe it was revised over the years.
Right now I'm running Amsoils new MTG, but since I've been garaged overnight, and this winter has been so mild here I can't really tell if it helps any.
FWIW my friend has a 2001 1.8T A4 5spd and complains of the same problems. We may be trying a different gear oil in his soon too. He lives in the mountains so it's a bit colder, and he's not garaged overnight. If/wehen we change it I'm sure we will report back on the B5 A4 forum.
Right now I'm running Amsoils new MTG, but since I've been garaged overnight, and this winter has been so mild here I can't really tell if it helps any.
FWIW my friend has a 2001 1.8T A4 5spd and complains of the same problems. We may be trying a different gear oil in his soon too. He lives in the mountains so it's a bit colder, and he's not garaged overnight. If/wehen we change it I'm sure we will report back on the B5 A4 forum.
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3rd^^ No problem here, just the usual stiffness that is normal with
standard transmissions when cold.
This 6 speed isn't the slickest shifting box around (the B6 S4 tranny is much better), but it's okay. In all cars, if you drive with the idea "give the car what it wants", you'll be rewarded.
On a general note, I think a lot of transmissions and clutches in performance cars are trashed by inexperienced or immature drivers who abuse them.
This 6 speed isn't the slickest shifting box around (the B6 S4 tranny is much better), but it's okay. In all cars, if you drive with the idea "give the car what it wants", you'll be rewarded.
On a general note, I think a lot of transmissions and clutches in performance cars are trashed by inexperienced or immature drivers who abuse them.