B5 manual shifter linkage upgrades

[bbob203]

Doing some window shopping for the b5 I'm probably getting soon. Wondering if anyone w/ the 5 speed swapped cars have done any kind of upgrades as far to the bushings for the 5 speed linkages. The car is an auto 1.8t but will be getting an AFN and 5 speed not much longer after I get it so I will replace things like the shifter bushings while it is out. This is the only real kit i have found but its almost 400 bucks..

http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catal...ng-for-1998-1999-b5-a4-passat-early-p-64.html

 

[newlitemotorist]

This is the only real kit i have found but its almost 400 bucks..
http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catal...ng-for-1998-1999-b5-a4-passat-early-p-64.html

....That is ridiculous for nothing more than it is! Wow

 

[vwztips]

Note that the kit only covers later 97-99.5 Passats as the shift linkage was vastly improved in late 99. Get a linkage from a 2000 up car and you will be fine. Those early ones makes it feel like you have a 3' throw and that you are guessing at the selection. VW also dumped the push down for reverse feature in the later models as well.

Also 2000 and early 2001's had screw on knobs while later ones used a crimp to hold them tight. I prefer the screw on type

 

[bbob203]

I wonder what frans will include when i buy a kit from him.

 

[jonlowe]

I got a shifter with a screw on knob from him. The linkage is very precise, and I haven't seen any need for improvement.

Jon

 

[50harleyrider]

I got this bushing. Haven't used it yet as my conversion is on hold but I can see it will tighten up the shifter. It replaces the crappy OEM plastic one. The guy I got my conversion stuff from turned me on to it. It will work on all the years:
http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catal...shing-for-b5-b6-a4-passat-1996-2004-p-29.html

 

[bbob203]

I got this bushing. Haven't used it yet as my conversion is on hold but I can see it will tighten up the shifter. It replaces the crappy OEM plastic one. The guy I got my conversion stuff from turned me on to it. It will work on all the years:
http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catal...shing-for-b5-b6-a4-passat-1996-2004-p-29.html

Ill put that on the list! one thing i hate is a sloppy shifter.

 

[Whitbread]

If you guys want stuff from JHM, I'm a dealer for them and can help out on pricing a bit .

 

[bbob203]

If you guys want stuff from JHM, I'm a dealer for them and can help out on pricing a bit .

Thanks homeslice!

 

[TheDude]

Note that the kit only covers later 97-99.5 Passats as the shift linkage was vastly improved in late 99. Get a linkage from a 2000 up car and you will be fine. Those early ones makes it feel like you have a 3' throw and that you are guessing at the selection. VW also dumped the push down for reverse feature in the later models as well.

Also 2000 and early 2001's had screw on knobs while later ones used a crimp to hold them tight. I prefer the screw on type

Hello!

I know that this is an old thread, but I´m asking here instead of creating a new thread..
My Passat from 1999 suffers with really sloppy shifting.
Or maybe I am suffering the most about it.

So it would be best to buy a shift linkage from a newer model?
I guess they are just plug and play?
I have an Audi A6 from 2003 with the same mileage, and it is a really big difference.


Is it #15 on this parts page I am searching for?
Parts list
I guess the rods #37 and #28 don´t wear? or maybe some bushing on them?

Look at my shifter here, this is with a gear in...
Gear linkage

 

[vwztips]

The rods are the same . All the slop is in the shifter mechanism

 

[TheDude]

The rods are the same . All the slop is in the shifter mechanism

Thanks!

I will try to find a low mileage 8D0711055AE, new ones seems hard to find..
Too bad I already replaced the gearstick boot, it seems to be crimp instead of the screw on..

 

[TheDude]

I have found one now, but without gearstick boot with 90000km, like new..
Is it possible to move over from my old stick, with the screw one type, to the crimp/clamp type? Guess not...?