4.2Crew

Newbe here... Just purchased an '01 4.2 w/sport pckg. Great deal, but needs some detailing. The sliver/chrome shift trim piece is scratched though the clear coat and into the metal (needs to be repolished.) After conducting a search, I'm still very hesitant to pry the wood counsel facia to "pop-out and slid back." Just ordered the Bentley CD, but would like to tackle this project today...

Any helps most appreciated.

Crew

jbchinoca

It does just pry up. Send me an email and I'll copy the page for you as an attachment to my reply.

Boston Driver

then slide out the whole trim rearward (two tabs under the ashtray that hold in the front side).

To remove the metal shift trim, you first have to remove the shift ****. With the parking brake on, shift into 3rd, Using a plastic putty knife, find the seam between the leather **** and the chrome trim on the shaft, push down on the seam, and the shaft trim should release downward. Then pull the chrome button outward until you see about 1/4" gap underneath, and pull up. Word of advice here, use the plastic putty knife to keep the gap open after you pull the **** off. It is a PITA to open again once the **** is off.

You will see four tabs (two on each side) that hold in the metal shift trim. Carefully, release these tabs with a screwdriver, and lift the trim off.

I used a sanding block to brush my shift trim. Started with 150 grit, worked my way down to 400 grit for that brushed look. FYI - the trim is solid metal, not just chrome plated.

The end result was this...

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/69482/dsc00109.jpg">

FYI - Yes, that is the RS6 carbon fiber trim, and the RS6 shift ****.

WildBlueYonder

There are a number of plastic tabs and I actually broke one of mine removing it. The three that are left work fine, but you might want to have the dealer just replace this. Repolishing might be a problem because the gear indicator 'buttons' stick up above the metal and would get 'polished', too. There are lots of electronics and mechanical parts that are part of that assembly and attached to the underside and I couldn't find an easy way to disconnect all that from the top aluminum shell.

e-mail me if you have more questions...

Good luck

Bill<ul><li><a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~oxy8384/605mod.htm">Click here for WOOD trim removal (see section III-B)</a></li></ul>

Boston Driver

just found the 4 release tabs on the side (2 on each side) and lifted up. The clear dots for the shift indicators are recessed slightly, and I had no issues when I sanded (using a sanding block) for that brushed aluminum look.

WildBlueYonder

"Well, then. There it is!"

jbchinoca

I had to replace the circuit board when my tiptronic quit tipping. He probably was looking for some sort of assurance it was do-able, likely the result of a nightmare of broken trim for $$$ dinero.

4.2Crew

Wood trim popped-out easily from the back edge, but experienced some resistance from two indexing pins near midpoint that must clear their respective slots before the the piece will slide out. The shift **** assy took a sharp tug upwards... More than I was expecting (I know, somewhat obscene...) Seperating the electronic board and other stuff from the alum piece took some patience and dilegence, but it's out. Will have to reapply double-side tape to re-anchor "stuff" inside aluminum plate. After polishing and/or brushing, I may powder coat to match some of the grey charcolish trim around the cabin dash vents? Thanks for the help!

Crew

jbchinoca

It can be touchy when you try to do something that seems simple and get resistance. I think I mentioned elsewhere the flashing nightmare of big bucks and something in our pride and joy not looking just right. Then we have the neverending threat of comments from our wives "See, I told you to leave it alone!" Most of us are here and ready to help, don't be afraid to ask.

Boston Driver

I only bought my car in January of this year, and I have learned so much from all the folks here on the A6 fourm. SO I am always happy to help a fellow AWer when I can!

FYI - there is a hand little link called Stoney's Links that has hours and hours of fun reading. Stoney is a forum poster like the rest of us, but he has gone beyond the call of duty and organized a library of links and organized them nicely. LOTS of great stuff here!

Please post a picture of your shifter trim when you are all done. It would be interesting to see how it looks powder coated!<ul><li><a href="http://sonolithics.com/files/a6_links.html">Stoney's Links</a></li></ul>