Shift knob removal

[rogerzr1]

Ok, I am sure this is a stupid question, what is the trick to removing the shift knob? I have a new shift boot I want to install. I tried to unscrew the knob but it won't budge and I don't want to damage anything.

[flyin ryan]

tiny set screw below the knob on the shaft.

[Aurora40]

There's no screw on the OEM knob that I'm aware of. What you do is carefully pry off the plastic shift pattern from the top. Then there is a big metal insert wedged in there. Pull it out and the knob will be able to spin. It is threaded on the shaft so just keep turning the knob to unscrew it.

The wedge can be a total PITA to remove. On mine, I used a dremel to grind it down slightly so that it just drops into place and is easy to remove.

[flyin ryan]

too early in the morning for me , the set screw is for the lock-out ring only. sorry bout' that. Aurora40 is right about the wedge being a P.I.T.A. to get out sometimes, especially if it has never been distirbed. careful not to bust your rear veiw mirror when your pulling hard straight-up .

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by flyin ryan

tiny set screw below the knob on the shaft.

That is to remove the reverse loctout collar..

Aurora40 has it right..

Good luck

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by flyin ryan

too early in the morning for me , the set screw is for the lock-out ring only. sorry bout' that. Aurora40 is right about the wedge being a P.I.T.A. to get out sometimes, especially if it has never been distirbed. careful not to bust your rear veiw mirror when your pulling hard straight-up .

Not wanting to break my mirror (or remove the top either)...

• I drilled and tapped a hole in the wedge.
• I placed a (feder) washer over the top of the shift knob and ran a screw through a nut, the washer and screwed it into the wedge.
• Holding the hex head of the screw still and turning the nut down against the fender washer, the wedge easily popped loose with just a couple grabs of the nut, and the wedge pulled right out!

It prolly took longer to read this than it did to remove the wedge, once the hole was drilled and tapped. EASY!

P.

[rogerzr1]

I appreciate everyone's help on this job. I got the wedge out with a pair of visegrips, it tooks some working but I didn't knock the rear view mirror off(although I could see it being possible to do so).

Looks good with the new shift boot. I went with black leather with a stripe down the center that matches the blue interrior.

Thanks again!!!

[DaveK]

I took mine off and had to remove the roof so I could get a good pull on it. Used visegrips.

V. tight!

[tccrab]

The locking wedge has a tiny ridge underneath the top.
A roofing nail's head is just the right size to fit underneath that ridge, then rock the nail back and forth a little.
The wedge will pop right up.

TomC

[Jagdpanzer]

Scroll down post 1063558 on the other forum for some great pics care of V-22 Johnny phrogs.