1986 Shift knob removal?

[moazam]

I would like replace my stock shiftknob with a custom one, but I'm not sure how to take off the origina shift knob. I've searched and some threads say to smack the shiftknob off with a wrench+hammer, and others say that some shiftknobs are held down by a screw.

Which is the case for a 1986 Carrera?

[pwd72s]

I'm not sure of the year change, but if you can pop off the top of your knob, the part with the shift pattern embossed in it, you have the type held in with a set screw. Just shine a light down after popping off the pattern and you should see it....the older 911's, with the pattern printed under clear plastic, are held on with a crush ring & need the knock off method.

[kjb]

The ones held down by a screw are the G50s. You have to mechanically force it off somehow. if you have a bentley manual, it outlines one way of doing it. Maybe someone with experience of doing it can chime in, otherwise I can try to remember to check the manual after work.

/ Johan

[CarreraS2]

Yeah, it is just press fit on.

And you won't be able to take the top of it off to look in it - it is a solid one piece plastic knob (if it is stock).

You need to get a way to get force on it. A sharp impact sometimes helps. Like a crescent wrench or something similar underneath it, and a blow from a hammer.

The knob itself actually isn't very strong, but can hang on with surprising force. Having tried to buy a nice used for for a long time, it seems like most people end up marring it or totally destroying it in a fit of rage after trying to pull it off cleanly.

[moazam]

So when I replace this shiftknob, will whatever new one I buy need to screw on or just push down and snap on as the original did?

I'm looking to either get a Momo knob or have a custom fabricated one made (with the 915 shift pattern).

[Rot 911]

Moazam, you need to get a new crush ring. That is what holds the shift knob on the shifter. To get it off, get an open end wrench just a bit bigger then the shifter, slide it under the knob, take hammer and whack, whack, whack!

[moazam]

Originally posted by Kurt V
Moazam, you need to get a new crush ring. That is what holds the shift knob on the shifter.

So a new crush ring will be needed for the new shiftknob also, even if it is not the stock Porsche version?

Is this ring made of rubber or metal btw? I'm assuming rubber....

[Todd Simpson]

I had a momo knob on my SC a few years ago. It was held on with an allen screw.

[Rot 911]

ooops was thinking you were going to replace with the stock knob. New know will probably be like what Tod said, some type of set screw.