[s-cars] RE:

[Igor Kessel]

mlp-505 wrote:
> I'd put cutting the stick down in the a personal choice Jerald.  You've done
> it and find it comfortable, producing an  acceptable reach etc., in the 200.
> I inherited a version and didn't like it in my UrS4.., although that may
> have also been influenced by the way it was done, and the less than elegant,
> and extraordinarily cold aluminum shift knob that was used to replace the
> stock leather part.. on a subzero day, it was like getting a frozen
> margarita headache, but in your hand.  Hap on the other hand apparently has
> both, along with a lead filling and loves his.
> 
>  
> 
> mike
> 
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Beer, Jerald S. [mailto:jbeer at boosecasey.com] 
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 10:00 AM
> To: mlped at qwest.net
> Cc: s-car-list
> Subject: FW: 
> 
>  
> 
> Mike 
>   I respectfully disagree with you. I took 1.5 inches off the stick and I
> found a big improvement Just draw a diagram and you will see there is a
> reduction in the movement of the stick at the top, effectively shortening
> the throw. I simply put a threaded on the stick and used the stock wooden
> shift knob. I have about 50k miles and think it is a great improvement.
> There is no trouble reaching the know. I am not knocking any SSK, certainly
> more elegant and better bushings to replace the tired stock bushes, just
> telling you there is nothing wrong with cutting the stick IMHO.
> 
> Regards, 
> Jerry 
> 91 200qa 
> E39 M5 
> 
>  
> 
>  -----Original Message----- 
> 
>  
> 
>   I've also had (and aid to have it repaired) a ghetto short-shift as
> implemented by a PO who sawed @ 2" off the top of the shifter on one of the
> cars.  IMO, this is NOT the way to go.  The throw basically remains the
> same, its just that your shift lever is 2 inches shorter, producing a longer
> reach for the knob, but not really much reduction in the distance your
> arms/hand has to travel to change gears. There is also the problem of either
> re-threading the top of the lever that has to be cut off to make the length
> reduction, or finding some other means of re-attaching the shift knob to the
> lever.  In my case, the PO opted for an after market red anodized aluminum
> ball - both hideous &, in winter deadly cold.  
> 
> Michael "worried about anything that might lead to a shorter shaft, even if
> it's only Hap's" Pederson 

Mike,
I would have to respectfully disagree with you and side with Jerry.

Sawing off a portion of the stick in my old '89 200TQ, along with
re-drilling the axial hole higher on the plastic piece and relocating
the 6mm bolt that holds the selector shaft did a lot to reduce the
longitudinal throw..

In my '97 UrS6 I took the shift mechanism apart, unscrewed the steel
ball off the item #37 (ETKA A6Q 97 7 11 711-40) and cut off the threaded
piece. I shortened it on the lathe by a few millimetres, welded it back
onto the item #37 and screwed in the steel ball back. Once at it, I also
rebuilt the selector shaft's socket with new parts (item #36, repair kit
for shift mechanism, 4A0-798-151).  I reassembled everything and
installed the mechanism back into the car. Needless to say that after
that I carefully readjusted the mechanism with a help of a helper in the
cabin. I understand that this is similar to what APIKOL does.

The result produced mixed emotions. Yes indeed the throws had become
somewhat shorter. However, the shift action had started to lack its
click-click crispiness. Especially going into the 1st and 2nd gears.
Sometimes I had trouble understanding whether the 1st had gotten engaged
at all. And sometimes the reverse would pop out by itself.
The last straw that broke the camel's back was my wife's comment that
somehow the gear lever felt "vague" and "uncertain". At which time I
called this experiment a failure and posted a request for an unmodified
selector rod to this list.

Our man Paul K. had stretched a helping hand and sent me his stock one.
He even generously filled the rod with lead shot for me. Now I have his
stock selector rod in my car along with the shortened by about 40mm
shifter rod. The gear engagement is crisp again, yet the throws are
shorter due to the smaller circumference of the shift knob travel. So
far I am quite happy.

I did not mean to undermine the APIKOL modification. I know nothing
about it, nor did I ever drive a car equipped with their shifter.
Perhaps I was doing it wrong, or perhaps I had cut off the threaded
piece for the steel ball off the item #37 shorter than they do hence it
had started to interfere with the gearbox case. I dunno. In ended up
with the sawn off shift lever and intact selector lever and I am finally
more or less happy with the gearbox action.

-- 
Igor Kessel
two turbo quattros