Audi/VW B5 Shifter Bearing Upgrade

prusaprinters

<p>I want to preface this with the fact that I never had a chance to personally test this in my own vehicle. It was a project that I started circa 2017, but never got around to finishing it. I'm simply sharing the files since some people were interested in testing it themselves. The initial prototyping and design was done using a factory shifter base from a B5.5 VW Passat. As far as I know, this should be compatible with other B5 platform cars, like the Audi A4 and it may also fit the B6 Audi A4.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Print all the parts as oriented. You will need:&nbsp;</p><p>1 Upper Bearing Half</p><p>1 Lower Bearing Half</p><p>4 Rail Bushings</p><p>2 Snap Rings (McMaster PN: <a href="https://www.mcmaster.com/90967A220/">90967A220</a>)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>You will want to print this in PETG or ideally Nylon for the best anti wear properties. I'm fairly certain the shifter rod is glass fiber Nylon (PA6-GF30).&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>To install you will need to remove the shifter base from the shifter box. You can find more info on that on Audizine or similar forums, the process is fairly straightforward.&nbsp;</p><p>Once you have the base removed, the socket for the shift rod is held in with a large snap ring. Remove the snap ring and old socket, then place the bearing halves around the ball on the shift rod and replace the snap ring. The slide rails simply pull out of the factory rubber bushings, remove the bushings. Place 2 rail bushing halves around the slide rail and install in the base. Fasten the rail bushings with the snap ring. Repeat for the other side. It is also a good idea to use some plastic safe lubricant to ensure everything slides smoothly.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Some notes on fitment and clearances. The current bearing is designed for 0.5~mm clearance between the ball and socket, this was due to some calibration issues with my printer I had at the time. You can probably get much tighter clearances which would further reduce the shifting slop. The rail bushings may have similar issues. I have no way to verify because I no longer have the parts for test fitting. I included the STEP files in case you want to make changes.&nbsp;</p>