Removing and installing complete selector mechanism with selector lever cable — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A8 D3 (4E, 2002–2010)

Don't miss

• The electrical connector (3) is also covered by a protective sleeve.
• Mark installation position of tunnel cross member for gearbox on body.
• The front exhaust pipes must not come into contact with the subframe.
• The four braces help prevent the shift unit from falling through when installing.Should one or more braces break off, remove them. The shift unit does not need to be replaced if this happens.
• Do not bend or kink the selector lever cable.

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Shift selector lever to position "“D”".
2. With the ignition switched off, disconnect battery earth strap 27.
3. Remove selector lever handle .
4. Remove front ashtray 68.
5. Remove centre console trim panel 68.

6. Pull electrical connector (1) out of protective sleeve (2).
7. Unplug electrical connector (1) for printed circuit.
8. Detach electrical connector (3) for selector lever lock solenoid. [Note: The electrical connector (3) is also covered by a protective sleeve.]
9. To remove selector mechanism cover, carefully release retaining tabs (arrows) one after the other.
10. Pull cover upwards slightly until guides (1) for cover are above holes (2) on shift unit.
11. Then lift rear part of cover upwards in direction of -arrow- and at the same time pull it over the cross piece of the centre console (3).
12. Unscrew nuts (arrows).
13. Remove bracket (A) for manual release mechanism from studs.
14. Press the four braces (B) towards the shift unit and secure them (e.g. with wire or similar).
15. Raise vehicle.
16. Remove cross member (A) below exhaust system.
17. Separate front exhaust pipes with catalytic converter from rear exhaust pipes (arrows) and tie up to side.
18. Remove heat shield (B).
19. Remove air duct (1) from gearbox.
20. Remove noise insulation (2) below gearbox.
21. Remove heat shield (3) for propshaft.
22. Unbolt propshaft (4) from gearbox and tie up or support.
23. Detach heat shield (5) above propshaft and push to rear.
24. ⚠ When performing the steps below, please note the following:Do not support the gearbox under the oil pan - risk of damage. — Insert a bolt M12x100 (item 1) with attached nut (2) into the mounting hole behind the oil pan on the gearbox.
25. Apply lifting column of engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A to bolt head as illustrated and raise gearbox slightly.
26. Remove bracket for noise insulation below ATF cooler.
27. Mark installation position of tunnel cross member for gearbox on body.
28. Remove bolts securing gearbox mountings (left (1) and right (2)) to tunnel cross member.
29. Unbolt tunnel cross member for gearbox from body (arrows).
30. ⚠ It is important to watch all parts of the engine compartment to prevent damage. — Carefully lower engine and gearbox assembly at rear using engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A.
31. The front exhaust pipes must not come into contact with the subframe.
32. Remove heat shield from selector shaft lever.
33. Use removal lever80 - 200 to pry ball socket on selector lever cable (1) off selector shaft lever (3).
34. Remove locking plate (2) on support bracket for selector lever cable and detach cable.
35. Prise off securing clips (arrows) for noise insulation (2) from selector mechanism cover.
36. If fitted, unscrew securing bolt for noise insulation.
37. Pull off noise insulation (2) over selector lever cable (1).
38. Remove selector mechanism and selector lever cable downwards.
39. Raise vehicle.
40. Attach shift unit to body. [Note: The four braces help prevent the shift unit from falling through when installing.Should one or more braces break off, remove them. The shift unit does not need to be replaced if this happens.]
41. Guide noise insulation (2) over selector lever cable (1) onto selector mechanism cover.
42. Install new securing clips (arrows).
43. If fitted, install securing bolt for noise insulation (tighten to 2 Nm). — 2 Nm (1.5 lb-ft)
44. Place selector lever cable (1) above securing points (arrows) for tunnel cross member (2). [Note: Do not bend or kink the selector lever cable.]
45. Insert selector lever cable (1) in support bracket on gearbox and carefully press onto selector shaft lever (3). Take care not to bend selector shaft lever, otherwise precise adjustment of selector mechanism will no longer be possible.
46. Fit new locking plate (2) to selector lever cable at support bracket on gearbox.
47. Attach heat shield to selector shaft lever.
48. Carefully raise engine/gearbox assembly at the rear, taking care not to trap the selector lever cable. [Note: When fitting tunnel cross member to body, observe installation position (marking made prior to removal).]
49. Install tunnel cross member .
50. Secure propshaft to gearbox flange Rear final drive 01R39 or Rear final drive 0AR39.
51. Reconnect front exhaust pipes to rear exhaust system 26.
52. Place bracket (A) for manual release mechanism onto studs.
53. Tighten nuts (arrows).
54. Guide cover over selector lever (4) and at the same time under cross piece for centre console (3) at front.
55. Then swing rear of cover downwards in direction of (arrow).
56. Insert guides (1) of cover into holes (2).
57. Then push down on cover until retainer tabs (arrows) lock.
58. Attach electrical connector (3) for selector lever lock solenoid N110.
59. Push electrical connector (3) into protective sleeve (not shown in illustration).
60. Attach electrical connector (1) for printed circuit.

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