{"product_id":"jxb-performance-linkage-reinforcement-kit-audi-b8-8-5-b8029a0","title":"JXB Performance Linkage Reinforcement Kit - Audi B8\/8.5 - B8029A0","description":"JXB Performance Linkage Reinforcement Kit - Audi B8\/8.5 - B8029A0\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEverybody knows the stock linkage sucks. It doesn’t perform well, it sucks \nto swap out, and it’s expensive to replace. After an in-depth look at it, \nwe came to the conclusion that it wasn’t all bad. There are plenty of good \nparts in it. The rod that runs from the shift lever to the crossrod is \nrigid as can be. The plastic coupling that holds the socket for the lower \nball joint and the ball for the upper ball joint is very well-made. It has \nthick reinforcement ribs and doesn’t flex at all under load.\u003cbr\u003eWhere the wheels start to fall off is when we look at the ball joints and \nthe crossrod. The lower ball joint in particular is housed in a flexible \nplastic and rubber socket that squishes and flexes under load. The plastic \ncrossrod is flexible as can be. It flexes a great amount under load, \nleading to getting stuck in the reverse track more easily on the 1-2 shift, \nand generally adding slop to the shift pattern. The crossrod bushing is \nalso fairly soft and can be seen flexing. We replaced that with a stiff \npolyurethane bushing held in place with a precision stainless shoulder bolt \nfor a perfect no-slop no-flex interface. Though also plastic, the upper \nball joint isn’t too bad, but since we’re addressing the crossrod, we \ndecided to beef it up while we’re in there.\u003cbr\u003eSo instead of replacing the whole linkage, this kit transforms the stock \nlinkage by replacing the 2 ball joint cups, the crossrod, and the crossrod \nbushing\/bolt.\u003cbr\u003eInstallation does not require removal of the transmission. The following \nvideo features all of our shifter upgrades. Skip to \u003cbr\u003e26:36:00\u003cbr\u003e for Linkage Reinforcement Kit install.\u003cbr\u003eB8029A0\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"JXB Performance","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48148047233282,"sku":"JXB-B8029A0","price":249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/0618\/0354\/files\/B8029C1-2-2.jpg?v=1785014945","url":"https:\/\/www.lethalperformance.com\/products\/jxb-performance-linkage-reinforcement-kit-audi-b8-8-5-b8029a0","provider":"Lethal Performance","version":"1.0","type":"link"}