[V8] Shift linkage problem

[Buchholz, Steven]

... haven't had to deal with either of the V8s yet ... but AFAIK they
aren't significantly different than the other MT quattros ... 

I'm assuming that you're talking about the tranny end of the linkage ...
there is a ball joint of sorts on the shifter inside the car, but that's
all plastic.  

There are two possible issues with the ball joint that attaches to the
shift selector rod on the tranny ... first is that the metal ball itself
works loose on the linkage, and the second is deterioration of the
plastic socket.  The first issue can be temporarily addressed by beating
the crap out of the back of the ball to re-stake it into the cast piece.
That is a medium term temporary solution IMO.  I actually had the two
pieces welded together ... this should resolve the problem permanently.
The socket may not be shown in TFA, but I expect it to be the same on
all quattros. R&R is actually quite easy, the socket is removed from the
back of the shifter linkage by straightening out the crimps in the back
and removing a large diameter washer.  The socket should now come right
out and you can insert the replacement and crimp the back down on the
washer again.  

There are a couple other things to look out for.  This first one I'm
going to mention is probably the first thing you should check.  If
you've had any transmission work done on the car the stake bolt that
holds the shift rod that attaches to the transmission selector rod may
have worked loose.  It is Loctited from the factory, but some folks
forget to restore the Loctite when they put things back together.  The
other thing ... if you've got a work socket above you probably want to
get a replacement locator linkage rod that goes from the shift linkage
and the tranny bellhousing.  This link rod has two similar sockets that
attach to two balls ... and if one set has deteriorated, I'd imagine the
other has too.  

Sometimes I wish I knew all the proper names for the bits in the linkage
... and I don't have TFA here to pull names from ... hopefully you can
make sense based on my descriptions ... 

Steve B
San Jose, CA (USA)
> 
> I recently developed problems with the shift linkage
> on my '91 V8 5spd.  The ball joint came apart on the
> linkage the other day.  I put it back on but it seems
> very loose.  Can I just replace the ball joint or do I
> have to replace the entire linkage?  I checked the
> family album, for some reason, there is no part number
> listed for the v8 socket but there is one listed for
> the 200 socket.  Do these cars share the same linkage
> or do I have to by the whole assembly for the v8?  How
> does the ball joint bushing come apart?  Any help
> would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.