Installing shift knob 911E
 

I installed a new shifter knob on my 911E. It still feels loose & rotates sometimes. I bought the new crush washer to install with it, but that hasn’t really fastened it down like the original one. Any tricks from the pros on how I can get the crush washer to better lock it into place?

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Bump

While not a pro, I successfully installed a new shift knob on my 70 911 using the following technique. I used the "crush sleeve", but it wasn't tight enough to secure the shift knob. I added some Goop adhesive which provided a secure installation. I didn't quite get the rotation angle right on the first try. A few minutes with a hair dryer on high softened the Goop enough to dial in the correct rotation. Its been fine ever since

Al

Thanks for the reply Al. I was unaware that an adhesive would be needed to install. Did you add Goop to both the inside & outside of the crush ring? Or did you put it inside the shift knob & then press it on?

Smiles11:

For some reason Pelican didn't let me reply to your latest questions for 2 days. Using an adhesive is not part of the installation instructions – just a fix I came up with. While it has probably been 10 years ago, I think I slightly scuffed (fine emery cloth) up the shifter shaft near the top, to cover the length of the crush sleeve. and applied the Goop to the inside and outside of the crush sleeve. As I remember I attached duct tape to the shift stalk (at the bottom of the shift knob) to catch any oozing of the Goop I hope this helps.

Al

I've done this a few times and I never used adhesive. In my experience pressing on by hand was not enough to seat the knob. More force is needed. My successful technique (don't laugh) was to use a block of wood with a spherical area hollowed out with a dremel to match the curve of the knob. Position the knob. Place a couple of layers of terry towel on the knob. Position wood block on top and tap with rubber mallet. Always use a new crush washer. I have never cracked the knob top.

These early knobs tend to crack easily if not installed correctly. The new crush insert has to be pushed past the rib inside the knob first. Then the knob is pushed onto the shaft. Should seat solid on shaft if all original parts. Is your knob the original Bakelite type?

I have the gloss black glass knob & new crush washer. Both OEM.

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Hammering it on sounds scary lol I don’t want to damage it. If I push the crush washer to the top of the knob & then try install it; it will not press on all the way.

If I put half of the washer on the shaft, & the other half into the knob. It slides on decently; just not firm enough to keep it from rotating.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I installed the knob this morning with another new crush washer. I slid the washer onto the shaft making sure it lined up with the end of the shaft. Added some silicone o-ring lube on the outside of the washer to help the knob slide over it. Used a hammer with multiple microfiber rags folded over to press it on. Worked out perfectly!

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Glad you got it done.

I know its too late to help you but I went through this recently. What worked for me was Gorilla black duct tape. It’s stickier and heavier than regular duct tape. Trimmed a piece to fit the shift rod once around, new crush sleeve inside knob, tapped the knob over the tape wrapped shift rod and done. The heavy tape gives the crush sleeve something to bite in to. Knob has not moved in 6 months.

Glad it worked for you, I suspect that the knob was not original inside diameter as putting the crush ring on the shaft and then sliding the knob on would result in a cracked knob. The original bakelite material was very brittle. Maybe the new knobs are made of a more modern plastic.