Removing the gear knob

Lee

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
213
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
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 ;)
 

GazHyde

Administrator
Administrator
Global Moderator
M Power
Joined
Dec 2, 2011
Points
226
Location
Berkshire
Model of Z
Z4 MR
Your a star gaz exactly what im after.

Lee
No problem Lee, shout if you need any more measurements as I still have the calipers.
 

Jamezee

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
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.
 

Uncle_Clanger

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Points
87
Location
Northants
Model of Z
3.0i
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.
 

GazHyde

Administrator
Administrator
Global Moderator
M Power
Joined
Dec 2, 2011
Points
226
Location
Berkshire
Model of Z
Z4 MR
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.
 

Uncle_Clanger

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Points
87
Location
Northants
Model of Z
3.0i
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.
 

GazHyde

Administrator
Administrator
Global Moderator
M Power
Joined
Dec 2, 2011
Points
226
Location
Berkshire
Model of Z
Z4 MR
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.
 

DavidM

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 25, 2013
Points
208
Location
Ireland
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
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.
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.
 

Gundun

Zorg Legend
Belgian Zeds
Joined
Sep 8, 2016
Points
67
Location
West Flanders
Model of Z
2.2i Sport Line Individual
quite honestly when I pulled off mine it took the least amount of force and I had it off in seconds...:hungry:
 

Uncle_Clanger

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Points
87
Location
Northants
Model of Z
3.0i
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? o_O
 

bessieblue

Zorg Guru (II)
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Points
120
Location
chelmsford
Model of Z
2.2
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
 

Ryan

Dedicated Member
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 31, 2017
Points
41
Location
Manchester/Cheshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.2i Sport
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.
 
Top