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924RACR

OK, so for all you newbies who can't follow directions and RTFAQ, here's the easy-peasy cliff-notes quick link to the FAQ for you:
http://www.924.org/techsection/GarageFAQ.htm#snailshellshifter

The '79 924 NA and the '80 924 Turbo (931) have a unique to those years trans called the snailshell. It looks like this:

This trans has a dodgy shift linkage. If the linkage is worn out, it won't shift properly.

If you continue to drive it with a bad shift linkage, you will also damage the synchros and gears inside the trans. This will be VERY expensive to fix (thousands), if you can even find parts, and even if you DIY.

Fix your shifter and/or clutch problems now.

If you fix those parts, and still have shifting problems, an alternative is to swap in the later Audi-style 5-speed trans. This will also require swapping in the matching torque tube and shift linkage (which means dropping the rear suspension). They can even be swapped in from a 944, though the gearing will be a little tall.

Believe it or not, details on how to accomplish this is in... you guessed it, the FAQ and Tech Section!!!
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

mgatlag · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 647 Location: Avon, IN

hey Vaughan-
What kind of signs of wear would I notice trouble shifting? My seems ok but I just want to make sure I'm not missing something. Should there be some slop in the gear shifter? (in gear) Or is this the linkage you were talking about checking by the shifter?
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!

Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot)

924RACR · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject:

The linkage we're talking about here only applies to the cars in the subject; as you have neither of those, you don't have to worry. If you do have slop in the shifter (in gear), it's much more easily addressed - usually caused first and foremost at the shift lever, which wears out.
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

Smoothie · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:51 am Post subject:

OT-
Here's a How-To for a refurb on the Audi shift lever - http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?p=147060#147060
-for anyone that finds themself here, then finds they don't have the Porsche-Getrag ("snailshell") gearbox.

_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

cadetboy2 · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:32 am Post subject: 931 linkage

Hi, I have a 1978 931 (originally a German car ) the bushings are OK but the return spring on the lever is broken so the lever is very sloppy. My local dealer wants £54 (110 dollars ) for a replacement !!!!!!
Does anyone know of an equivalent or alternative part ?
Does anyone have a spare they might want to sell for a sensible price.
Cheers Bob

poorsha924 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Kansas City Mo

Hi Vaughan
I have a shifter concern on my 1979 924 with the 016-Z 5peed transmission. It started all at once Shifter real loose in 2nd,4th& reverse acutally will not go into any of the gears but I have 1st 3rd & 5th shifter is nice & tight. I have read your other articles in the tech section already Do you think it could be a shifter coupler issue sliding back& forth on the shaft of tranny? I have checked the shifter& linkage& the bushings at the shifter looks fine with no play in it I can see the guide mountis worn for the guide rod,& the lock out spring is missing Not sure it is a snailshell bushing issue at the tranny since three of the gears are O.K. Before I start tearing into it I thought I would ask for some info. I know that it is virtually impossible to see anything amiss with the way it is with out some disassembly to take a peek. Any info you could pass my way would be greatly appreciated .
Thanks
poorsha924 bernieunlimited@aol.com
_________________
79 924S snailshell
audi big bore t-body
16" turbo wheels

poorsha924 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Kansas City Mo

Hi Vaughan
I have a shifter concern on my 1979 924 with the 016-Z 5peed transmission. It started all at once Shifter real loose in 2nd,4th& reverse acutally will not go into any of the gears but I have 1st 3rd & 5th shifter is nice & tight. I have read your other articles in the tech section already Do you think it could be a shifter coupler issue sliding back& forth on the shaft of tranny? I have checked the shifter& linkage& the bushings at the shifter looks fine with no play in it I can see the guide mountis worn for the guide rod,& the lock out spring is missing Not sure it is a snailshell bushing issue at the tranny since three of the gears are O.K. Before I start tearing into it I thought I would ask for some info. I know that it is virtually impossible to see anything amiss with the way it is with out some disassembly to take a peek. Any info you could pass my way would be greatly appreciated .
Thanks
poorsha924 bernieunlimited@aol.com
_________________
79 924S snailshell
audi big bore t-body
16" turbo wheels

poorsha924 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Kansas City Mo

Hey there
anyone out there have or know where a person can get a transmission shift coupler for a O16-Z (snail shell) transmission short of going to the Porsche dealer (OUCH THAT HURTS!)

Has anyone ever tried to refurbish the coupler? I,m open to any& all suggestions. I know about the Audi conversion as a last resort
Steve

_________________
79 924S snailshell
audi big bore t-body
16" turbo wheels

v8carreragts · Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 665 Location: Tucson, AZ

You can reolace it with one from a 914 or 911. You can also buy new plastic bushings for the same cars and fit them into yours. This came from Bruce Andersen himself.

924inMN · Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Minnesota

I've got some shifting issues. Its difficult to find gears and the shifter feels very loose but I eventually find the right spot without too much grinding of gears. I plan to do everything necessary in the FAQ and the shift lever refurbish if need be. Anybody had similar symptoms? Thanks.

zedex · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: British Columbia

My shifting has always been smooth and quick, but with the NA, I feel like an idiot. It grinds alot, but the shifter is tight. After reading these posts, I am abit confused as to whether this is the shifting problem prone to these cars or a worn clutch or maybe a sticky system as the car sat for so long.

I tend to think the clutch but would appreciate more input from more model expirienced people. The car goes into gear, but there is a bit of searching involved and a slight grind going in.

Trans or clutch????
_________________
You get more with a kind word and a gun than a kind word alone--Al Capone

huckster · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Burnaby B.C.

zdex If it is a snailshell the shift linkage bushing and motor mounts and clutch fixed my shifting woes.Had to get the front bushing made at a machine shop.
_________________
77.5 project car have never driven. burgundy
79 parts car sea foam. blue new clutch and shifter bushings
79 driver yellow new shocks water pump shifter bushings
96 ford escort sw

porsche D! · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 3 Location: springboro, OH

hey guys. im kinda new, but have been reading this board for a few weeks now. since i bought my 80' 931.

anyway. its been grinding second since i got it to run. not all the time, but sometimes, like if im driving it too hard. well, ive been trying to take it easy.

point is, i was driving home tonight, like shifting at 3k, just driving normal, and took off form a light, went to shift into 2nd, and nothing. it just wont go into gear. there was no grinding no nothing. just no gear. got home, turn it off, and still nothing, wont go at all. starts to, but wont actually go in.

so the question is, whats up. is that gear just done, or is it the linkage (although the linkage isnt really slopy, and all other gears seem fine.) or is it something less serious? and what are my replacement options, im guessin its the snailshell trans right? and yeah, ive read the tech section, but is late, and all of it just isnt sticking yet.

so, any help would be great. thanks guys.

huckster · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Burnaby B.C.

There is a bolt that holds the linkage to the transmission it could have come loose. It is on the top of the transmission and in the front you can get to it from the left side. Jack the car up about two feet and get some good jack stands under it on level ground. I use a 13 mm gear wrench to tighten it. you may need to pull the linkage back first.
_________________
77.5 project car have never driven. burgundy
79 parts car sea foam. blue new clutch and shifter bushings
79 driver yellow new shocks water pump shifter bushings
96 ford escort sw

Jakkq · Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 809 Location: Norfolk, Nebraska

I just bought a 1979 924 N/A about two days ago. Just yesterday I took it out for a real spin. The shifting of the gears seems to work just perfect. Since I am learning to drive the stick, I have grinded the gears once or twice. Is this hurting anything at all? Also, what should I do to make sure I do not have to harm anything? Should I go ahead and do what is posted at the top of the page?
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1979 Porsche 924- Snailshell
http://porsche924workblog.blogspot.com/