Removing the gear knob
- Thread starter DivideBYZero
- Start date
True aceman, but in my trade I'm using military grade materials 
just got some spare material laying around.
Before you ask what's my line of work is its something i cant disclose on here
just got some spare material laying around.Before you ask what's my line of work is its something i cant disclose on here
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2011
- Points
- 137
- Location
- Peak District
- Model of Z
- Z3 2.2 sport, Z4 Coupe 3.0Si, E38 728i Oxford green and beige interior
Not pulled mine off before, well not in Zeddy but pulled one off in a 3 series. I seem to remember that i got right over it gripped it firmly and pushed it DOWN then up and it came off a treat. I am looking to get a new knob for Zeddy so will have to try this technique in Zeddy.
It's been over 3 years since anybody has posted about any knob pulling experience. I'm struggling... 90lbs of upwards pressure says the Bentley manual.. Yeah right!
I've stood over the top of it and twisted and pulled, pulled, pushed down and pulled and have probably pulled a few muscles..so frustrating.
I have looked at the handbrake handle and around the base there seems to be some glue like residue.. Are these glued on as standard? Could it be that the gear knob has been glued too?
Somebody said they gave up and got "destructive" with it... Obviously I'd rather not but has anybody had to? What is the most effective and least messy way of doing so?
I'm really disappointed as I'd set today aside to fit my new interior and I've fallen at the first hurdle... So glad I didn't have the centre console hanging out before I realised my knob was stuck.
All advice (knob jokes Inc) very much appreciated.
I've stood over the top of it and twisted and pulled, pulled, pushed down and pulled and have probably pulled a few muscles..so frustrating.
I have looked at the handbrake handle and around the base there seems to be some glue like residue.. Are these glued on as standard? Could it be that the gear knob has been glued too?
Somebody said they gave up and got "destructive" with it... Obviously I'd rather not but has anybody had to? What is the most effective and least messy way of doing so?
I'm really disappointed as I'd set today aside to fit my new interior and I've fallen at the first hurdle... So glad I didn't have the centre console hanging out before I realised my knob was stuck.
All advice (knob jokes Inc) very much appreciated.
They are not glued on as standard, so if it's glued on then there was a reason the previous owner did it. Likely it was getting loose as the plastic inner core was broken.
If after what you've done it hasn't shifted then more destructive means will be necessary! Shortie_gals gear knob had to be hack-sawed off in a number of pieces.
If after what you've done it hasn't shifted then more destructive means will be necessary! Shortie_gals gear knob had to be hack-sawed off in a number of pieces.
So if the actual knob is hacksawed will it not leave the glued shaft still stuck inside? ..Probably a daft question. I would like to know exactly how she did it before I start sawing stuff.
Lee did the removal, he just went at it with a hack saw - no specific plan of attack as far as I know. There is no set way of going at this if it has been glued on, all depends on how much they used and how far it spread out once it was pushed back on again.
It will likely leave a mess, but you'll just need to clean it up once it's gone.
It will likely leave a mess, but you'll just need to clean it up once it's gone.
Give the top of the gear knob a sharp light tap with a hammer to break the seal - put in 2nd gear twist and pull.
quite honestly when I pulled off mine it took the least amount of force and I had it off in seconds...
Mmmm looks like it could be hacksaw job.
Lucky you! I've put my back out.quite honestly when I pulled off mine it took the least amount of force and I had it off in seconds...
All I can say is if your knob is loose then for heavens sake have some mercy and DO NOT glue it on!
This simple task (thanks Gundun) has caused me no end of grief..the glue literally fused the hard plastic to the metal gear shaft... Cut my hands to bits with a hacksaw, even tried melting it off (least combustible plastic in the world!) chiseled it off in the end... Can finally crack on! ...knob and crack in the same thread?
This simple task (thanks Gundun) has caused me no end of grief..the glue literally fused the hard plastic to the metal gear shaft... Cut my hands to bits with a hacksaw, even tried melting it off (least combustible plastic in the world!) chiseled it off in the end... Can finally crack on! ...knob and crack in the same thread?
when i did mine i got ready to give ut some welly but it shot off so easy it took me by suprise, the new stormwork has a small allen key screw to tighten at the base 1 went for the new shape stormwork
Anyone have suggestions on how to stiffen the knob? Mine is extremely loose and i need a suggestion on how to firm it up.
It's the light up knob and i think the previous owner yanked it off because i've had to fixed the snapped wires.
It's the light up knob and i think the previous owner yanked it off because i've had to fixed the snapped wires.