hey i have a questions, my trans is making noise in first and wanted to know do i have to remove the whole transmission including the front diff? or can I just remove the gearbox from right behind the front diff? i see the screws all around, but im not sure if they have put any from the inside? thanks!

 

What kind of noise.... Like a clicking sound from a broken tooth? A few of us suffer from this or upgraded to an avant I have this and hop out of first kinda quick.

 

the front differential is in the gearbox. its an open differential. you would have to remove both the axles and the transmission from the engine to open it up. chances are you need to replace the gear or the collars, in the long run it may just be benificial to just get a used transmission.

 

Get a used trans with low miles. If you're a DIY, this process is quite time consuming, but a shop will charge you 10+ hours to do it, and chances are they won't accept USED parts or parts you bring them ;( ....

Then again, I've had the same noise in mine for over a year, I just TRY and start in 2nd...and it's still working....I'll have to do it someday, but NOT until it completely fails

 

lol who did that?

I had this problem on my 97. From what I was able to find researching the problem online, it has something to do with the way the teeth on first gear wear over time. They eventually make an awful racket like mine did. I drove it that way for years and have heard many other A4's making the same noise. Near as I can tell its not a cause for immediate concern, but does mean that your tranny is getting up there in years. If you're set on fixing it, I would agree with the others that a used/reman. tranny is the way to go. ECS was having a sale a while back IIRC.