Shift knob cap is off, but no bolt!

[john baldwin]

I've managed to pry the cap off the shift knob of my '89 3.2, only to find a slug of hardened white silicone? rubber and what appears to be hardened hot melt glue slathered about. After digging through the silicone, still no Allen head...still digging. Anybody seen this before?

[nyne11]

When I pulled mine off my 86 there was not nut or allen key. It just twisted off the shaft.

[Rick V]

Use an open end 15mm wrench. place it under the shifter ball and tap it upward with a hammer. When the ball comes off it will make perfect sence.

[steve911]

Originally posted by Rick V
Use an open end 15mm wrench. place it under the shifter ball and tap it upward with a hammer. When the ball comes off it will make perfect sence.

John--
Since you have an '89, it [should] have some sort of allen bolt/nut. The '86 and earlier cars had the crush sleeve and come off as Rick V suggests.

I wouldn't try tapping upward yet until you've ascertained that there is no nut under all the 'stuff'. It could be that the nut was lost and the PO just glued it in place

[john baldwin]

Thanks, guys!
Steve I agree there should be an allen head bolt securing the knob given this is an '89, however from other pcitures on Pelican (can't seem to find the thread despite multiple searches) the allen head bolt should be sitting right inside the flare of the brass lip, not buried down deep. I'll keep digging through the white silicone until I reach bottom....if no bolt and it's just glue holding it on, I'll try Rick V's suggestion...stay tuned!

[steve911]

Found this shift knob thread

[the]

86 (not 85) and earlier are the press fit. I.e., the 915 used press fit, when it went to G50, used a bolt.

There should be no silicone or glue, though.

The fact that there is almost certainly means some dumb PO or shop lost the bolt, and rather than do it right by getting a new one, just glued it back on.

[don911]

What's the goldish ring in the middle? That're where the bolt head should be. I'd say it's a stripped out allen head but the inside looks too round.