915 Gear shifter Knob removal

[jonheli]

Hi There! Has anyone got a good way of removing the gearshift knob on my 915 box? I've tried using a hammer and spanner, but it just won't move!! Don't want to hit too hard, as the box is still in the car, and don't want to damage anything in the linkage.
Must be an easier way - please help!!

[rib]

I changed my OM Gear-Shift for a short-shift kit and had the same problem. I think you will have to remove the shift stick, put it a vice, rap a cloth around the base of the knob and whack it with the spanner as you have been doing. Its the only thing that worked for me.

Porsche 911 Carrera 1985 Euro Spec

[Esa911sc]

There is no way to get it out in one piece. I tried all the ways I could imagine and the knob started to fall pieces, so I stopped and bought new aftermarket knob to my shortsifter.

[Dai]

I slowly twist them back and forth until they are loose and then slowly twist them out. My had silicon on top of the clamping sleeve and it was really tight.

[dfk911sc]

I destroyed mine after days of trying all the above. Sorry no help from me. But be aware that most years are NLA for OEM and a recycled is between $75 and $100...I know.

[emac]

Listen to everyone above-- after hours I cut mine off

[jcunning]

I had to remove the shifter and put the shaft in a vice. Then using an adjustable wrench, I hammered really hard against it and it came off after about 10 hard blows. I don't see how you can do it still in the car. You just can't get the leverage required to move it.

[Porsche_monkey]

I've removed them with the rubber strap wrench, but a plumbers wrench (the kind that uses a fabric strap) should also work.

[tmctguer]

keep in mind if you destroy the stock shift knob, and ever wish to bring your shifter back to stock, early 915 shifter knobs are VERY hard to find. especially the ones with reverse to the right below 5th gear.

[oregonmon]

Is this the only way to put on a Carrera leather boot over an SC rubber accordian boot? You either have to remove the knob or the rod out of the assembly? Any other way?
Sorry the hijack, somewhat related right?

[Thrlls]

I removed mine with a 15mm open end wrench. Placed the wrench right below the knob and tapped it upward with a hammer, it came right off.
Not sure which years, but some have a set screw on the side and some have a nut under the shift pattern plate.
Mine had neither just a sleeve that goes around the shifter for the knob to slip over. Hence pull/hammer off and push on.

[efhughes3]

Mine came off with no damage and a LOT of pounding with the spanner method.

[Pazuzu]

Huh...mine came off in my hand on the third day of driving the car...while trying to shift to 4th at 65mph...


I'm sure I don't need to say that it was an "OH SH$T!!" moment...

Since then I have learned that my locking sleeve is old and worn and leaves much to be desired...

[911s55]

Try heating the knob with a hair dryer or heat gun, have a rag or towel in hand and twist off.

The knob will expand,voila!

[waizone]

Has anyone tried this method (using heat gun)? Would like to install a 917 knob but don't want to destroy the original one.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by waizone

Has anyone tried this method (using heat gun)? Would like to install a 917 knob but don't want to destroy the original one.

Greg, the stock knob is pretty stout, so I’d be careful and give it a go. Keep the hair dryer back a few inches to start and see how hot it gets. Maybe just a bit of heat will allow a spammer and hammer to work more easily?

[911pcars]

Here's one option to ensure the original shift knob isn't damaged:

Get one of those shift lever extensions, the type that installs as a splice insert. Typically, I supply these at 3", but it could be 1" or 0".





Sherwood

[Boulder74]

Thanks for the above suggestions. My '86 915 knob was not wanting to come off and I did not want to damage anything so I went to my Bentley manual and found:
Pre -1987 - 16mm wrench and a hammer, give it a few wacks.
Post 1987 - Pop cover off the top and remove with a hex wrench.

What worked on my '86:
-Applied some WD-40 the day prior
-Applied heat with a heat gun (wear leather gloves) till just too hot to hold on to for more than a half second.
-Gave it about 20 hits with the hammer until I was able to get the 16mm AND 17mm in there together under the machined ring below the knob.
-Hold the top (knob side) wrench steady, push down on the bottom wrench and instantly had motion on the knob.
-As soon as the gap gets too big to pry with wrenches, hit it a few times and it was off and unharmed.
This also reduces the amount of pounding the shifter linkage is subject to during removal.

Cheers

[efhughes3]

To be clear, the WD40 did nothing to help you. It’s really no good as a penetrant, and is terrible to use as a lubricant. It’s only use, that I know of, is to displace moisture in electrical components.

Originally Posted by Boulder74

Thanks for the above suggestions. My '86 915 knob was not wanting to come off and I did not want to damage anything so I went to my Bentley manual and found:
Pre -1987 - 16mm wrench and a hammer, give it a few wacks.
Post 1987 - Pop cover off the top and remove with a hex wrench.

What worked on my '86:
-Applied some WD-40 the day prior
-Applied heat with a heat gun (wear leather gloves) till just too hot to hold on to for more than a half second.
-Gave it about 20 hits with the hammer until I was able to get the 16mm AND 17mm in there together under the machined ring below the knob.
-Hold the top (knob side) wrench steady, push down on the bottom wrench and instantly had motion on the knob.
-As soon as the gap gets too big to pry with wrenches, hit it a few times and it was off and unharmed.
This also reduces the amount of pounding the shifter linkage is subject to during removal.

Cheers