Shifter knob removal ;)

[David 84 911]

OK, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but this darn shifter knob won't come off so I can change the bushings. I have an 84 911. Any tricks or do I hammer away until it breaks off....

PS: I have all winter to do this, freezing in Montreal right now...

[scottb]

David: The search button is your friend.

Assuming you have the factory knob, take a 15mm open end wrench. Some people then protect it with duct tape. Put it at the base of the knob and smack upwards with a BFH (big freakin' hammer). Be careful of the knob flying off and hitting you in the head.

FWIW, I tried this method and could not get mine off. I finally used a big ChanneLock pliers, wrapped a towel around it, and twisted it off. The scarring was minimal.

Good luck.

[David 84 911]

Thanks Scott, did all the searches and used a 15mm. I will smack it with a BFH...CHEERS!

PS: Is that really a helicopter big boy toy?

[scottb]

Originally posted by David 84 911
Is that really a helicopter big boy toy?

It really is! Gratuitous helicopter shot follows:

[David 84 911]

Now that blows my mind! Cool shot. Now that is the way to travel (aside from in a 911).

[qcwang]

Maybe this is a stupid question. Do you have to take off the knob to change your shifter bushings. I changed mine two years ago and don't remember taking the shifter knob off.

[jwetering]

Originally posted by qcwang
Maybe this is a stupid question. Do you have to take off the knob to change your shifter bushings. I changed mine two years ago and don't remember taking the shifter knob off.

Yah - I think qcwang is right - no need to take the knob off. The console (if so equipped) comes off, and the rubber boot then folds out of the way. The shift lever has to come out to change the bush anyway. It's really hard to get the knob off without damaging it.

s'far as the copter goes - my 4 year old is the biggest helicopter nut, He's already decided he wants to be a helicopter pilot. Nice toy for sure but it would scare the $hit outta me though.

BTW Did you know the word helicopter is derived from the greek "helico" meaning spiral and "pter" meaning wing. That's my favourite story to use when I'm trying to pick up the ladies. I'm not very popular

[Fishcop]

My brother has just bought 5 acres and built just so he can land his chopper at home

Yeah alright, I'm maybe a little jealous

[911AtLast]

I had the same problem - after much cursing and bruised knuckles I had the brainwave of removing the shift lever altogether (only takes a couple of minutes)

Then I placed the lever (and knob) UPSIDE DOWN in a vice and used the spanner trick

Warren

[Wil Ferch]

I would be fearful of using the 15 mm wrench method ( installed)...lots of trauma and distress "down below" where the mechanism pivots....

Wil

[glenncal1]

Helicopter=a bunch of parts flying in loose formation

[scottb]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
I would be fearful of using the 15 mm wrench method ( installed)...lots of trauma and distress "down below" where the mechanism pivots....

I had the same thought, Wil, but SO many people suggest that technicque that I have to believe the stress doesn't cause any problems.

[Gunter]

David: The knob doesn't have to be removed to change bushings.
If you want to install a different knob, then the old one has to come off.
It has a crush sleeve inside.
Save yourself the trouble, leave it on!

[David 84 911]

My wires are holding the console in place unless I remove the arm or wires. WHich do you suggest? The 101 projects made it look so easy......(Should have bought the video )

[JBO]

I like So Cals comment "it's just press fit on"....maybe....I just removed mine last weekend to change my knob. I beat the !@#$ out of the old one with the 15mm wrench and hammer and it didn't budge. I then tried the channel lock trick and it wouldn't budge (in fact, the whole lever turned in the base, so the knob now faced the passenger seat ) Finally gave up and dremeled it off. When I finally got it off I discovered that it must have been off before and someone had added a second ribbed crush sleeve, both of which I then had to dremal off. The original knob is just a light piece of plastic, nothing exotic about it. It may be my imaginination, but the car now seems to shift better with the much heavier/more substantial momo knob, which also comes up higher and is situated better as I didn't push it all the way down. I now only have to wait 10 seconds between shifts

[randywebb]

When I first got my first 911, a change to a Momo knob made it easier for me to shift, also. Maybe it's only when you are new to the car...

[Wil Ferch]

scottb says.... "I had the same thought, Wil, but SO many people suggest that technicque that I have to believe the stress doesn't cause any problems..."

yeah...BUT.... Porsche also advises not to lift the car by the engine or tranny case ( people still do this), we shouldn't slam wheel bearings in place without cooling / heating the mating surfaces ( people do this too), etc, etc....

Just because people get away with it... at times.....doesn't make it right. Here we are saying "... yeah, those bushings have to be BEAT by now, change 'em.." Well..maybe they ARE beat ( beat up, that is)...

If it doesn't "seem" right..then you're probably right....

- Wil

[Gunter]

I still don't know what the intent is here.
As far as I can tell, he wants to replace bushings.
Replacing bushings to improve shifting does not require removing the knob. It does require removing the console and disconnect some wires like the A/C control.
David: Why are you removing the knob?

[David 84 911]

I finaly removed the console without removing the knob. Now I realized the shifting is smooth while car is "stored" or parked but is hard to shift when car is driving. Now I am wondering if I should even be changing the bushings. I hink I will anyways now that it is 1/2 way apart.

THANKS!

(Gear Head in Training

[randywebb]

Do all the bushings, adjust the coupler, and start saving for a trans. rebuild of the synchros.