audi s8 gearbox judder

[stevenkentwba]

Hi to all.

I am a 1st time poster so apologies if this has already been covered.
i've recently bought a 1998 audi s8 and recently i have noticed the downward gearchanges on under brakes have become shall we say quite jerky,
This in itself as not a major problem,however sometimes when downchanging in order to pick up speed ( although not when full kickdown) the car does shudder for about 3 to 4 seconds, it almost feels as though the car is struggling for traction even though 1) I know it wouldnt because its 4 wheel drive and 2) i'm not putting much power down.

Anyone with any ideas?? is it the dreaded audi gearbox again as i have read so much of in this forum.

Thanks in advance
Steve, Sheffield uk

[a8 tech]

Start off with a oil and strainer change

[Badger61]

And inspect the condition of the oil, give it a sniff for burnt out plates or brake bands!

[stevenkentwba]

THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS, I HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT AN AUDI SPECIALIST WHO HAS USED THE CORRECT VAG GEARBOX OIL. THE SPECIALIST SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE GEARBOX GENERALLY (NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE)

I WOULD SAY THAT THERE HAS BEEN A 50% IMPROVEMENT ON THE HARSH DOWN SHIFT SINCE THE SERVICE.

HOWEVER THERE IS STILL A JUDDER JUST AFTER DOWNSHIFTING AT LOW TO MEDIUM SPEEDS. COULD THIS BE A FLYWHEEL JUDDER?? (MY SUBARU IMPREZA HAD A JUDDER WHICH WAS SOLVED BY A FLYWHEEL SKIM)

THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE HESITATION SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH. IT'S LIKE THE CAR CANT DECIDE WHETHER ITS IN THE CORRECT GEAR.... THE REVS RISE AND FALL SLIGHTLY ON THEIR OWN ITS NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM BUT VERY IRRITATING FOR SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CAR GENERALLY ......ANY IDEAS????? .

PS THE LAST TIME I WENT TO THE AUDI DEALER (FOR A SPARE KEY) THEY SAID IT WAS SHOWING A FAULT ON THE AIR MASS METER...COULD THIS BE CAUSING THE ABOVE???

IF ANYONE HAS ANY THOUGHTS PLEASE LET ME KNOW BECAUSE IM STARTING TO REGRET PARTING WITH MY OLD E55 AS I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A MUCH SMOOTHER CAR.

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[a8 tech]

yes get the airmass checked out and also have the kick down point reset