My 88’ 928S4 with 71k miles 5 speed is difficult going into reverse. Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

The southeast is a big area.

ProTech Motorsports in Greenville, SC or Howard Wright at European Classics in Atlanta if your close to either of those.

 

Well, there are no reverse synchros, right. Single disc, so no plates to adjust.

So, perhaps the issue is in the linkage.

Could you please describe the issue? Maybe the collective wisdom can point to the underlying problem's source.

Kevin

 

After doing as Kevin has suggested .

My WAG is that its time to have the clutch removed and greased and also replace the release arm bushing,
as I will postulate its crumbled.

NOTE upgraded parts are now available to remove the possibility of air in the hydraulic system,
to do that,
remove the old hard line / flex line then swap in a new flex line for the slave.

That said if the clutch hydraulics are old it would also be wise to replace the clutch MC and get a new S4 slave cylinder.
Use Hi temp grease on the clutch friction points as the disc splines could be rusted.

 

Thx for the recommendations

 

I have to attempt shifting into reverse multiple times before it goes into gear. Feels like shifter does not go over far enough to engage. I had the clutch replaced 10k miles ago.

 

Was reverse difficult to get into prior to clutch being replaced?

 

Please check your rear shifter coupler bushings. They disintegrate over time and one of the symptoms is difficulty in moving the shift lever far enough to the left to engage reverse.

 

Thx for the recommendation

 

Yes in fact I was told by the mechanic that a plastic bushing was affecting shifting, that was so long ago I forgot unfortunately he has closed his shop

 

That helps.
I assume the ball socket (not pictured here) was replaced along with the clutch.
There's a couple of things that may be at play.
#7 and #2 below may need to be replaced. That can make shifting a bit sloppy.

Someone already mentioned the rear coupler (#2)

 

If you are able to get far enough under the car (with it on jack stands at the rear), crawl under and look at the torque tube where it meets the transmission. There should be a large rubber boot (#13 above) that covers the rear coupler. If its there, its hiding the rear coupler (#2) that has 2 plastic bushings that secure the coupler to the shift linkage. Those bushings are replaceable. If the boot is not there, a PO probably worked on the coupler and did not replace the boot. It's a b!tch to replace in situ. That leaves the coupler exposed and you can look or feel if the bushings are in there and the coupler is secure to the linkage. Any slop there and the bushings or coupler need to be replaced. It's best if you have a helper work the shifter while you check the play in the coupler.

 

That is very good trouble shooting, thx! I feel better about NOT having to replace Trans

 

In the parts diagram posted by 'Kevin in Atlanta', the two small plastic bushings (#15) will eventually need to be replaced also. Replacing all the plastic/rubber between the shift **** and the transmission itself will probably improve the shifting of 90% of the manual 928's in service (especially if it has never been done).

 

Let's not overlook #4. Pricey, but a must to replace.