[V8] Shifter update and clairification

[J123fs at aol.com]

Thanks Ron for the offer....though I have a family birthday GTG over next  
weekend, so I'm not gonna be available......
I also called the one remaining I know Audi mechanic regarding the linkage, 
 and he laughed.....he stated that on the 5 spd 200, 5000, S4, (type 44 and 
 later) ect you have to drop the subframe and lower the trans (after taking 
off  the exhaust center section and disconnecting the driveshaft) about 5 
inches and  then you still need a universal extension to disconnect the 
linkage in  the center.....the flat rate book is the same as clutch 
time-wise.....so a bit  more than possible on drive up ramps. You need a lift and a trans 
jack, ect. He  laughed the whole time, so I guess I'm glad I can be of some 
use to supply  some humor to someone...funny thing, didn't seem to funny 
late yesterday  afternoon though.... :-)
I can do the R&R at a buddies garage.....he owes me a favor or  two. I 
think I will wait till I get a short-shift kit and do it all at once some  
evening.
It's all back together- works better than before, all lubed and  such 
-though getting the upper ball socket back onto the linkage at the  trans was a 
witch with a capitol B. My nylon rachet (moto tiedown) worked to  pull it 
back down onto the mount. That thing has helped many times in random  
situations...like a E350 driveshaft re-install by myself (fun.... really !!  )
Thanks for all the support and knowledge folks!
-Jack
Mit 5 spd linkage that still feels like a stick in a bowl of Jello!